Building Eden (BE) Farms

Through Building Eden Farms, we are growing more than food; we are nurturing rooted leaders and cultivating a future grounded in equity, stewardship, and collective care.

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Our Mission

Building Eden Farms is creating a network of small-scale urban gardens across Peekskill, using schools, churches, and public spaces to bring fresh, healthy food directly into the community. We train and empower local young people to become regenerative farmers and community leaders, equipping them to steward these spaces with care. Through this work, growing food becomes a shared practice of learning, connection, and community empowerment.

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Our Vision

Illustration of a beige-colored branch with elongated leaves on a black background.

At the heart of Building Eden Farms is a vision to cultivate the next generation of land stewards, community leaders, and changemakers through the Youth Apprenticeship Program—the cornerstone initiative of our organization. Rooted at the Peekskill Regeneration Farm, this program empowers local youth to learn regenerative farming, environmental stewardship, and leadership development through hands-on experience. Apprentices not only learn to grow food sustainably but also gain the skills and confidence to design and manage their own community garden projects on local plots of city land, church spaces, or within local organizations that would be open to allowing us to build gardens on their land.

Building Eden Farms envisions a network of thriving, youth-led garden sites, each one serving as a hub for food access, environmental education, and community collaboration. Upon completing their training, apprentices receive ongoing mentorship, materials, and logistical support to bring their projects to life—expanding local food sovereignty while strengthening social and ecological connections.

Our ultimate goal is to create a sustainable, replicable model for youth-driven urban agriculture—one that feeds our neighbors, heals our land, and rebuilds our sense of shared purpose. Through Building Eden Farms, we are growing more than food; we are nurturing rooted leaders and cultivating a future grounded in equity, stewardship, and collective care.