Hattie Carthan Community Garden

Nestled in the heart of Brooklyn's historic Bedford-Stuyvesant (Bed-Stuy) neighborhood, the Hattie Carthan Community Garden stands as a remarkable testament to urban revitalization, food justice, and the enduring power of community. Located at 363-365 Clifton Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11216, USA, this extraordinary green space is far more than just a garden; it's a vibrant urban farm, a bustling farmers market, and a hub for intergenerational learning and cultural exchange. As one delighted visitor perfectly encapsulates, "This garden is absolutely magical and Farmer Yon is a wonderful steward of the land." This sentiment resonates deeply with anyone who experiences the unique spirit of Hattie Carthan.

Named in honor of the revered Bedford-Stuyvesant environmental icon, Hattie Carthan, who tirelessly championed tree planting and community greening, the garden carries forward her legacy with passion and dedication. Originally established in 1981 and renamed in 1998, the garden, under the visionary leadership of urban farmer and food justice advocate Yonnette Fleming (affectionately known as Farmer Yon), expanded significantly in 2009 by transforming adjacent abandoned lots into a thriving farm and market space. This transformation is a powerful symbol of community resilience, turning neglected areas into productive and beautiful environments.

What truly sets Hattie Carthan Community Garden apart is its holistic approach to community well-being. It's a place where fresh, locally grown produce combats food deserts, where ancient knowledge of herbal medicine is shared, and where the rhythms of reggae music blend with the rustling of leaves and the gentle clucking of chickens. From hands-on workshops for youth teaching them "where food comes from and how to eat healthy" to an apothecary offering insights into "all the ways in which the earth can heal you," the garden fosters a deep connection between people, food, and culture. For New Yorkers seeking an authentic, enriching, and deeply impactful experience in urban agriculture and community activism, a visit to Hattie Carthan Community Garden is, without a doubt, "definitely worth a visit." It's a treasure that enriches the very fabric of Bed-Stuy and beyond.

Hattie Carthan Community Garden is prominently located at 363-365 Clifton Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11216, USA, specifically at the corner of Clifton Place and Marcy Avenue in the heart of the historic Bedford-Stuyvesant (Bed-Stuy) neighborhood. This central and accessible location makes it a cornerstone of the community, easily reachable for residents across Brooklyn and beyond.

The garden benefits from excellent public transportation links, making it highly convenient for New Yorkers to visit, whether for its farmers market, educational programs, or simply to enjoy its serene atmosphere.

• Subway: The garden is within a comfortable walking distance of several major subway lines:

  • The G train has a station at Bedford-Nostrand Avenues, which is just a few blocks away. The G line provides a crucial north-south connection through Brooklyn, linking neighborhoods like Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Fort Greene, and Carroll Gardens without requiring a transfer to Manhattan.

  • The A and C express and local lines, with stations at Nostrand Avenue or Kingston-Throop Avenues, are also within a manageable walk (approximately 10-15 minutes). These lines offer rapid transit to Downtown Brooklyn, Manhattan, and further into Queens, making the garden accessible from a wider metropolitan area.

  • The J and Z lines, serving the Myrtle Avenue or Gates Avenue stations, are slightly further but still accessible, offering another route to Lower Manhattan and connecting to other parts of Brooklyn and Queens.

• Bus: Numerous MTA bus lines serve the area immediately surrounding Hattie Carthan Community Garden, providing convenient local access. The B44 SBS and B44 local buses run along Nostrand Avenue, while the B46 SBS and B46 local buses operate on Utica Avenue, both with stops within easy walking distance. Additionally, routes like the B38 on Lafayette Avenue and the B25 and B26 on Fulton Street offer further connectivity, making it very easy to reach the garden from various points within Bed-Stuy and adjacent neighborhoods.

• Walking and Biking: For the thousands of residents living in Bed-Stuy, walking to Hattie Carthan Community Garden is a pleasant and common mode of transport. The neighborhood's tree-lined streets and historic brownstones make for an enjoyable stroll. The increasing network of bike lanes in Brooklyn also makes cycling to the garden a highly viable and sustainable option for those living further afield, with ample space usually available for parking bikes nearby.

• Vehicle Access: While street parking in Bed-Stuy can sometimes be challenging, limited street parking may be available on Clifton Place and surrounding residential streets. However, given the excellent public transportation options and the garden's ethos of sustainability, visitors are strongly encouraged to utilize transit, walk, or bike to minimize environmental impact and simplify their visit.

The garden's strategic location and comprehensive accessibility points ensure that Hattie Carthan Community Garden is not just a destination but an integral, easily reached part of the Bed-Stuy community, welcoming all New Yorkers to its vibrant space.

Hattie Carthan Community Garden is a multifaceted hub that offers an extensive array of services, distinguishing itself as a vital resource for food justice, education, and holistic well-being in the Bed-Stuy community. These services are delivered with a passionate commitment to sustainability and intergenerational learning.

• Community Farmers Market: A cornerstone service is the vibrant farmers market, typically held on weekends (Saturdays 9 am - 3 pm and Sundays 1 pm - 6 pm from July to November at their various locations, including one directly behind the main garden and another at 49 Van Buren Street). This market is run by dedicated volunteers of all ages and offers "an abundance of produce," providing local residents with direct access to fresh, healthy, and often organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs cultivated right in their neighborhood. This addresses critical issues of food access in areas classified as "fresh food deserts."

• Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) / Food Sovereignty Share: The garden offers a CSA program, known as the "Food Sovereignty Share," which allows community members to commit to purchasing a share of the harvest in advance. This provides a consistent supply of fresh, high-vibrational food throughout the growing season and supports the farm's operations directly.

• Herbal Apothecary and Medicine Program: Hattie Carthan features a unique apothecary where visitors can "learn about herbal medicine and all the ways in which the earth can heal you." This includes their "Community Supported Medicine Program" and provides education on utilizing medicinal herbs, offering a holistic approach to health and wellness rooted in traditional practices. This distinct service sets it apart as a center for natural healing and wellness.

• Educational Workshops and Youth Programs: The garden is a dynamic outdoor classroom. It regularly hosts educational gatherings, including those where "youngsters from a local school taught us to make a watermelon salad with lemon balm herbs." They run an "Urban Agriculture Youth Corps," teaching urban kids "where food comes from and how to eat healthy." Workshops cover a wide range of topics, from agriculture and soil testing to food preparation, preserving herbal harvests, and more, empowering community members with practical skills and knowledge.

• Community Composting System: The farm operates a large, functioning three-bin composting system. This service allows community members to bring their food scraps for composting, diverting waste from landfills and producing nutrient-rich soil amendments for the garden beds. This highlights their commitment to circular economy principles and environmental stewardship.

• Livestock and Egg Production: The garden maintains a chicken coop, with chickens "pluck about in the back coop." This provides fresh eggs to community residents and manure for natural fertilization, demonstrating a sustainable, integrated farming approach and offering a tangible connection to food sources rarely seen in urban settings.

• Cultural Events and Community Gatherings: Hattie Carthan is a vibrant cultural hub. Reviewers mention "reggae plays" and describe "amazing curries served in enormous bowl made from gourds," indicating a lively atmosphere and unique culinary experiences. The garden hosts a variety of events, including ancestral celebrations, art shows, drumming circles, and more, fostering a rich cultural landscape and strengthening community bonds.

• Volunteer Opportunities: As a grassroots, people-of-color-led initiative, the garden relies heavily on volunteers. They actively invite community members to get involved in workdays, market operations, and various programs, contributing "over 70,000 documentable volunteer hours." This service provides invaluable opportunities for locals to contribute, learn, and be part of a meaningful project.

• Advocacy and Food Justice Leadership Training: The garden operates with advocacy and changemaking at its core. It provides "food justice leadership trainings to people most affected by inequities in the food system," empowering community members to become advocates for healthy food access and environmental equity in their neighborhoods.

These comprehensive services illustrate Hattie Carthan Community Garden's role as a holistic center for community development, environmental health, and cultural enrichment in Bed-Stuy.

Hattie Carthan Community Garden is distinguished by a remarkable array of features and highlights that make it a truly "magical" and iconic space in Brooklyn. These attributes showcase its unique blend of urban agriculture, cultural enrichment, and profound community impact.

• Visionary Leadership of Farmer Yon: At the heart of the garden's success is Farmer Yon (Yonnette Fleming), hailed as a "wonderful steward of the land" with "so much knowledge." Her passion for farming, teaching, and food justice has been instrumental in transforming vacant lots into a thriving farm and market, guiding the garden's philosophy and its deep connection to the community.

• Vibrant Farmers Market: A standout feature is the lively community farmers market, described as having "an abundance of produce." This market, run by volunteers of all ages, provides crucial access to fresh, locally grown organic food in a neighborhood historically underserved by healthy food options. The market is not just a place to buy food, but a social gathering point, often accompanied by music and culinary demonstrations.

• Ancestral Herbal Apothecary: A truly unique highlight is the garden's apothecary, where visitors can delve into the world of herbal medicine. This feature emphasizes the healing power of nature and offers practical knowledge about "all the ways in which the earth can heal you," connecting traditional wisdom with contemporary wellness practices.

• Integration of Arts and Culture: The garden is infused with cultural elements that enrich the visitor experience. Reviews mention "reggae plays" and "African sculptures peek between the leaves," creating an immersive and vibrant atmosphere that blends agriculture with artistic expression. This cultural integration fosters a lively and welcoming environment.

• Educational Programs for All Ages: Hattie Carthan excels as an intergenerational learning space. From "youngsters from a local school" learning to make watermelon salad to adult workshops on food and healing, the garden actively teaches urban residents "where food comes from and how to eat healthy." Their youth programs, like the Urban Agriculture Youth Corps, inspire and empower the next generation of environmental stewards.

• On-Site Animal Husbandry (Chicken Coop): The presence of a chicken coop, where "chickens pluck about in the back," is a charming and practical feature. It provides fresh eggs for the community and natural fertilizer for the garden, showcasing a holistic, integrated farming model that connects residents more directly to the sources of their food.

• Sustainable Infrastructure: The garden boasts practical sustainable features, including a functioning hoophouse (extending the growing season), a large three-bin composting system (diverting waste and enriching soil), and the utilization of natural fertilizers from their livestock, minimizing reliance on external inputs and chemical products.

• Deep Roots in Food Justice and Advocacy: Beyond just growing food, Hattie Carthan has advocacy and changemaking at its core. It is a "grassroots, people of color-led agricultural revitalization project" that directly addresses food insecurity and health disparities, building "human infrastructure" through food justice leadership trainings. This mission-driven approach makes it a beacon for equitable community development.

• Historical Significance and Legacy of Hattie Carthan: The garden honors the legacy of Hattie Carthan, a pioneering environmentalist. Its existence perpetuates her work of greening Bed-Stuy, making it a living monument to community activism and a symbol of what can be achieved through persistent, passionate effort.

These distinct features collectively make Hattie Carthan Community Garden a truly unique and invaluable "neighborhood treasure" that profoundly impacts the lives of Bed-Stuy residents and serves as an inspiring model for urban sustainability and community empowerment.

As a non-profit, community-driven urban farm and garden deeply committed to food justice and education, Hattie Carthan Community Garden doesn't engage in traditional commercial "promotions" or "special offers" in the retail sense. Instead, its "offers" are centered around providing invaluable community benefits, access to healthy food, educational opportunities, and ways for New Yorkers to actively participate in and benefit from its mission.

Here's how Hattie Carthan Community Garden "promotes" its value and creates "special offers" for the New York community:

• Affordable Farmers Market Access: One of its most significant "offers" is the community farmers market, typically held on weekends from July to November. This market provides access to an "abundance of produce" — fresh, organic, and locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs — often at prices designed to be accessible to the community, addressing food insecurity. This is a direct benefit for healthier eating.

• Food Sovereignty Share / CSA Program: Locals can enroll in their "Food Sovereignty Share" program, which functions as a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). This "offer" provides regular baskets of high-vibrational produce throughout the growing season, ensuring consistent access to nutritious food while directly supporting the garden's operations and mission.

• Free Educational Workshops and Demonstrations: The garden frequently hosts free or low-cost educational workshops and demonstrations. These are a valuable "special offer" for New Yorkers interested in learning about urban farming, herbal medicine, healthy cooking, food preservation, and environmental stewardship. Examples include teaching "youngsters from a local school" to make healthy salads and sharing knowledge about the earth's healing properties at the apothecary.

• Community Supported Medicine Program: This unique "offer" allows community members to access knowledge and resources from the garden's herbal apothecary, promoting holistic health and wellness through natural remedies and traditional practices. It provides a non-commercial avenue for healing and learning.

• Volunteer Opportunities and Youth Programs: For those looking to give back or gain hands-on experience, the garden consistently "offers" volunteer opportunities for "all ages." This includes participation in workdays, market operations, and their "Urban Agriculture Youth Corps." This is a profound "offer" for personal growth, skill development, and direct community contribution, fostering a sense of ownership and belonging.

• Cultural Enrichment and Community Events: The garden serves as a vibrant cultural space, with "reggae plays" and other community gatherings. These events, often free or donation-based, are "special offers" that enrich the cultural life of Bed-Stuy, providing opportunities for entertainment, social connection, and celebrating local heritage in a unique outdoor setting.

• Access to a Tranquil Green Space: At its core, the garden offers the continuous "promotion" of a beautiful and peaceful urban oasis. It's a place where locals can simply relax, enjoy the natural beauty, observe the chickens, and find respite from city life, all at no cost. This is an invaluable offering for mental and emotional well-being.

To stay informed about their market schedules, workshop dates, or how to sign up for programs, interested New Yorkers should regularly check the Hattie Carthan Community Garden and Market website (hattiecarthancommunitymarket.com), their social media channels, or signage posted at the garden itself.

To connect with the Hattie Carthan Community Garden, including inquiries about their farmers market, programs, volunteering, or general information, here is the public contact information available:

• Garden Name: Hattie Carthan Community Garden

• Address: 363-365 Clifton Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11216, USA

• Market Location (also associated): 363-365 Clifton Place at the corner of Marcy Ave in Bedford-Stuyvesant Brooklyn NY 11221.

• Second Market/Farm Location (Hattie Carthan Herban Farm): 49 Van Buren Street, Brooklyn, NY 11221 (this is often cited as another site for their Sunday market and other programs).

• Email: hattiecarthangarden@yahoo.com

• Phone (General Coordinator, as per some older listings): (718) 638-3566

  Please note: While this number has been publicly listed in the past for the general coordinator (Yonnette Fleming), for the most immediate and up-to-date information, the email and website are generally preferred for community gardens.

Important Notes for Connecting with the Garden:

• Official Website: The most comprehensive and current information regarding Hattie Carthan Community Garden and its associated market, programs, and events can be found on their official website:

  Website: https://www.hattiecarthancommunitymarket.com/

• NYC Parks GreenThumb Listing: As a GreenThumb garden, Hattie Carthan also has a listing on the NYC Parks website, which provides basic information, location, and often their general open hours. These hours are typically applicable between April 1 and October 31.

  • Monday: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  • Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  • Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

  • Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

  • Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday: CLOSED (as per NYC Parks listing, but market operates on weekends).

  Always verify market hours and special event times directly on their website or social media, as these can differ from general garden access.

• Social Media: The garden is typically active on social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, Facebook). Searching for "Hattie Carthan Community Garden" or "Hattie Carthan Community Market" is an excellent way to see their latest updates, event announcements, and sometimes to send direct messages.

• On-Site Information: When visiting the garden, especially during market hours or community events, there are often volunteers or staff present who can provide direct information or direct you to the right resources.

For specific inquiries or to get involved, reaching out via their official website or email is highly recommended for the most direct and reliable communication.

Hattie Carthan Community Garden is unequivocally one of Brooklyn's most vital and enriching spaces, making it exceptionally suitable for New York City locals, particularly those residing in the Bed-Stuy neighborhood and across the borough. It represents a profound convergence of sustainable living, community empowerment, and cultural celebration that deeply benefits the urban fabric.

Firstly, for locals prioritizing access to fresh, healthy food, Hattie Carthan is an indispensable resource. In an area historically challenged by food deserts, its vibrant farmers market offers an "abundance of produce" – locally grown, often organic, and accessible. This commitment to food justice directly addresses health disparities and empowers residents to eat well, connecting them directly to the source of their nourishment. The CSA program further ensures a consistent supply of high-quality, seasonal food.

Secondly, the garden serves as an unparalleled educational hub. Whether through hands-on youth programs teaching "where food comes from," or the unique herbal apothecary sharing knowledge on how "the earth can heal you," Hattie Carthan offers invaluable practical skills and holistic wisdom. For New Yorkers eager to learn about urban agriculture, sustainable practices, or natural wellness, it provides a living classroom and a constant source of inspiration, fostering greater ecological literacy and self-sufficiency.

Moreover, this garden is a powerful engine for community building and cultural connection. It’s a "magical" space where neighbors from all walks of life come together to volunteer, share knowledge, and enjoy cultural events like "reggae plays" and communal meals. This intergenerational and multicultural environment strengthens social ties, creates a deep sense of belonging, and celebrates the rich heritage of the community. The leadership of Farmer Yon, revered as a "wonderful steward," ensures a welcoming and empowering atmosphere for all.

Finally, its location and robust accessibility within Bed-Stuy make it a convenient and integral part of daily life for thousands of residents. Its transformation from a vacant lot into a thriving, beautiful oasis is a testament to grassroots action, inspiring locals to see the potential for positive change in their own neighborhoods. It’s a place where you can not only find fresh food but also a sense of peace, purpose, and profound connection to both nature and your community. For these reasons, Hattie Carthan Community Garden is truly a treasure that enhances the quality of life and reinforces the spirit of Bed-Stuy for all its locals.

Hattie Carthan Community Garden

363-365 Clifton Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11216, USA