published: 7/15/2025 NYC students design a rooftop urban farm

This May 15th marked the end of another powerful year of learning through our Permaculture Design Lab at The Renaissance Charter School (TRCS). Over 24 weeks, students engaged in hands-on, project-based learning, exploring how climate education can take root in a real place: Sky Farm.
The program wrapped up with a special moment: students presented their final rooftop farm designs right where it all began: in the classroom. Alexa, Sky Farm’s manager, joined us to hear their ideas firsthand. Watching students share their visions about the very rooftop they reimagined and designed was a reminder of how real this work becomes when it’s grounded in place and purpose.
We’re deeply grateful to teacher Ariel Sacks, who leads this program with heart and dedication. We are also grateful to the entire TRCS community for making this partnership possible, supporting us in deepening  ecoliteracy and designing real solutions here in the city.
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