Key Takeaways
- NY Sun Works has opened a Hydroponic Classroom at Lincoln High School in Yonkers, its first partner school in the city, reaching 400 students annually.
- The classroom was funded by a $49,931 grant from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets through its Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grant Program.
- The opening was celebrated on Earth Day, with support from Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, NYS Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball, and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.
- Lincoln High School will receive ongoing professional development for science educators and weekly visits from a NY Sun Works hydroponic specialist.
- The program delivers a year-round, standards-aligned curriculum covering climate science, food systems, and sustainability.
NY Sun Works Marks Earth Day With First Yonkers School Opening
NY Sun Works celebrated Earth Day with the opening of a state-of-the-art Hydroponic Classroom at Lincoln High School in Yonkers, New York. The facility will provide hands-on sustainability science education to approximately 400 students each year, and represents the organization's first partnership with a school in the City of Yonkers.
The classroom and program were made possible by a $49,931 grant from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, which covered design and construction of the classroom, teacher training, and implementation of NY Sun Works' year-round, standards-aligned curriculum.
State Grant Program Supports Urban Agricultural Education
The funding was provided through New York State's Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grant Program, which supports community growing spaces and agricultural education for their impact on local food resiliency and food security. The program was funded through New York State's Fiscal Year 2025 and 2026 Enacted Budgets as part of Governor Hochul's commitment to increasing food access and affordability for all New Yorkers.
NY Sun Works Executive Director Manuela Zamora said the organization is overjoyed to bring high-quality, standards-aligned climate science education to the Lincoln High School community, emphasizing that students are being empowered to address the global challenges of climate change and food insecurity — not just meeting academic standards.
Community Leaders Celebrate Investment in Yonkers Students
The opening drew strong support from local and state leadership. Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano described the Hydroponic Classroom as an investment in growing knowledge, responsibility, and environmental awareness alongside the plants themselves. New York State Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball highlighted the role of the Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grant Program in ensuring more New Yorkers have access to fresh, nutritious food while supporting agricultural education.
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand called the classroom a long-term investment in STEM education that prepares students for good-paying jobs in the future. Yonkers Schools Superintendent Aníbal Soler Jr. described the classroom as emblematic of a vision where science, sustainability, and opportunity converge.
Ongoing Support for NY Sun Works Teachers and Students
Lincoln High School will receive continuous support through the NY Sun Works program model, including professional development training for science educators, weekly visits from a hydroponic specialist, and hands-on assistance with planting, harvesting, produce distribution, and system maintenance throughout the school year.
