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BOSWYCK FARMS is a hydroponic farm in Bushwick Brooklyn. It was founded in 2008 by Lee Mandell. Boswyck Farms was started with the idea of growing fresh food for the surrounding community. Located in Lee’s 1,000 square foot loft, it has grown into a research and development space where we build and test hydroponic systems. We are dedicated to bringing sustainable methods of growing into the hands of people.

We use these systems in our botany programs for NYC schools as well as after-school and summer programs. We also run hydroponic workshops for adults and offer consulting and installation services for private residences, community organizations and businesses.

Hydroponics has a very long history, dating back to the Hanging Gardens of ancient Babylon. We choose hydroponics because this method of growing plants is sustainable, economical and practical. Small and compact, our systems are the perfect choice for people living in urban areas where space is at a premium. Our hydroponic and aeroponic systems are designed to be space-efficient, easy to assemble and a breeze to maintain. They use a minimal amount of room while producing a sizable amount of food. Fruits and vegetables can be grown year-round indoors and in greenhouses. Our hydroponic systems can be used for seasonal growing on rooftops or other outdoor spaces. As sustainability is Boswyck Farms’ motto, we build our systems using as many recycled and repurposed materials as possible.

“More Grows in the Garden than the Gardener sows.”

—Spanish proverb

Just as important as having a hand in food production is the process of growing itself. Plants bring with them an inherent pleasure. Whether it is a tomato plant ripe with fruit, Green Verde basil ready for harvest or an orchid in bloom, plants, in their simplicity and complexity, bring a certain type of happiness and fulfillment. That’s why we think it’s so important to grow plants for the sake of growing plants. Bring beauty into the world and you will get beauty out of the world.



Lee Mandell, founder and Chief Hydroponicist

Lee Mandell is an urban farmer, specializing in hydroponics. He brings to this enterprise over 20 years experience in developing systems matched to programmatic goals and available resources, applied across the fields of computer programming, visual arts, theater production, community organizing, and urban gardening. He is also a practicing visual artist, working within various media to create sculptures, public installations and theater.


Chloe Bass, Communications and Outreach Specialist

Chloë likes food. She likes to eat food, which encouraged her to learn how to cook food, which in turn prompted an interest in growing food. Chloë is an artist and community organizer based in Bushwick, Brooklyn. She produces festivals with Arts in Bushwick, and has worked as a teaching artist with local residents of all ages. Chloë is an MFA candidate in Performance and Interactive Media at Brooklyn College. She studies all things creative, computer-related, and community-oriented, but she’s finding ways to work in the culinary, too.

 

Heidi Kleister – Development Director
After 27 months living and working in Macedonia as a Peace Corps Volunteer and working on her MPA, Heidi is happy to be back in her home state of New York and falling in love with Bushwick. Although her horticultural abilities have left much to be desired, Heidi is excited to learn about hydroponic growing and share that knowledge with the greater community by supporting the ongoing organizational growth of Boswyck Farms. In her free time, Heidi loves cooking, sewing, and occasionally holding court at a local billiards table.

Alex Middleton – Operational Hydroponicist

Alex is a hydroponicist specializing in horticultural therapy, LED lighting, and hot peppers. He is a recipient of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 2011 Innovation Hero Award for his work on horticultural therapy and education via hydroponics for the developmentally disabled. While at United Cerebral Palsy of NYC Alex created the agency’s first hydroponics program in order to make the benefits of urban agriculture available and accessible to their consumers. Besides testing hot peppers for human consumption, his job at Boswyck Farms is to help you grow best you can, yes pun intended.

Alex Tyink – Director of Innovation

Alex is a hydroponicist specializing in urban farming, vertical farming, and system management. He is inspired by the social service aspect of Boswyck Farms and wants to help create urban farming and fresh, local produce opportunities for low income families all over New York. He is committed to developing the most efficient growing systems and business practices. While not farming, Alex works as a local New York performing artist who has held positions with opera companies, national touring musicals, and theaters across the country.


V Van Sant, Print and Web Design

V Van Sant  is originally from Pennsylvania Farm Country, then living in New England, it took moving to a city to entice her to grow her own vegetables (on my back porch and still done in soil).  When not out on the porch getting some fresh air, or doing her own artwork, she sits in front of a Macintosh doing print, logo, and web design.

We’re always happy to have people visit Boswyck Farms. To schedule a time, please email info@boswyckfarms.org. To learn more about the work we do and for a complete listing of upcoming workshops and events, please explore the rest of the site.