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September - October 2018 35 boatingonthehudson.com
Over ten thousand people,
school children, adults and
foreign visitors test the various
components of Groundwork’s
Science Barge, on the downtown
Yonkers’ waterfront, each year.
It is a huge success in every
aspect of its being. The Science
Barge is a prototype sustainable
urban farm developed by NY
Sun Works and acquired by
Groundwork Hudson Valley in
October 2008 to be operated as an
environmental education center.
The Science Barge greenhouse,
floating on the Hudson River,
grows an abundance of fresh
produce including tomatoes,
melons, popcorn, peppers,
eggplant, and lettuce with zero
net carbon emissions, zero
pesticides, and zero runoff. All
of the energy needed to power
the Barge is generated by solar
panels, wind turbines, and
biofuels while the hydroponic
greenhouse is irrigated solely
by collected rainwater thus
operating completely “off
the grid.” It is the only fully
functioning demonstration of
renewable energy supporting
sustainable food production in
New York. It is now docked in
downtown Yonkers just north of
the Yonkers Pier.
The Science Barge is open for
weekday educational programs
and field trips for schools, camps,
and other groups from mid-
April through the beginning of
November. Programs range from
1-3 hours and cost $250-$525.
They are currently scheduling
field trips for the summer and
fall! Call 914-375-2151 or e-mail
.
org if you are interested in
booking.
Many homes have the capacity
and sunlight to emulate what the
Science Barge is demonstrating.
I strongly suggest that if you
an interest in Hydroponic
Gardening
,
Plants and healthy living
you visit the Science Barge, in
Yonkers, NY
For weekend walk-ons, The Science Barge
suggests a 5-dollar donation. Free for
children 10 years old and younger.
Mid-April-November Weekend Hours:
Saturday & Sundays 12-6 pm
For specific information call the
dynamic Mr. Bob Walters, Director of the
GroundworkHV at 914-375-2151.
Aeroponic System,
growing plants
with Hydroponics
vertically.
As seen inNY
River
Programs
Sustainability
Education.