Downing Park Urban Farm
The Downing Park Urban Farm (DPUF) is an important part of NUFFI’s programming. Once the site of the Downing Park greenhouses, today the DPUF is a vibrant community space exploding with life. An oasis of green in the City of Newburgh, the DPUF offers community members the opportunity to learn how to plant, grow, and harvest fresh food and flowers in urban spaces. The farm is mostly run by volunteers and most of what is harvested is given back to the community — either donated to local food banks and pantries or sold at the weekly Newburgh Farmers Market at Safe Harbors Green. Since we began our donation program in 2016 through 2019, NUFFI donated eight thousand pounds (and counting!) of organic produce to Newburgh residents.
In 2020, we pivoted quickly due to COVID-19, committing to growing primarily for donations to City residents. In the 2020 season, we donated over 10,000 pounds to 15 feeding programs in the City of Newburgh — growing approximately 4,500 pounds of that at the Farm.
In addition to providing organic produce to the City of Newburgh, the DPUF also offers community workshops, educational programs, volunteer opportunities, and youth employment opportunities. To get involved with the Downing Park Urban Farm, sign up here!