Grange's

After another Sunday morning harvest last summer, I hopped in Ben's car and we headed from the farm to Brooklyn Grange's own market stand at Roberta's restaurant in Bushwick.

Jake Rosenwasser: New York City's Biggest Rooftop Farm Jake Rosenwasser 2011

Brooklyn Grange's weekly Saturday market at Vesta in Astoria wasn't doing as well as the market at Roberta's.

Jake Rosenwasser: New York City's Biggest Rooftop Farm Jake Rosenwasser 2011

This was Hamilton Grange's second move; in 1889, a developer offered it free for the taking, and the nearby church, after razing the house's portico and piazzas, rolled it two blocks down from the top of Harlem Heights, where it overlooked both Long Island Sound and the Hudson River, and shoehorned it in endwise to serve as a rectory.

Hamilton's Shining House on a Hill Myron Magnet 2011

But Mitchell feared that the glory days for New York City farmers were long gone and unlikely to return, so he was skeptical of Brooklyn Grange's long-term viability.

Jake Rosenwasser: New York City's Biggest Rooftop Farm Jake Rosenwasser 2011

Having just competed against Chef Tuohy in the Duck Off, which opened Grange's duck hunter dinners, I can tell you that he has the skills to make a lawn dart taste good.

Best Tasting Ducks 2009

That's the difference between authentic adventure and Mr. Grange's outing.

Semi-Roughing It Michael J. Ybarra 2011

Mr. Grange's group sets off with a support staff of seven, with 30 horses to pack their tents, food, folding tables and chairs.

Semi-Roughing It Michael J. Ybarra 2011

Hamilton Grange's new home isn't the original site of its construction, which was near where 143rd hits Amsterdam Avenue today, and because of encroaching street grid and the development of Harlem, couldn't be.

Historic Home on the Grange Robbie Whelan 2011

By Mr. Grange's own description he didn't embrace much difficulty.

Semi-Roughing It Michael J. Ybarra 2011

Having just competed against Chef Tuohy in the Duck Off, which opened Grange's duck hunter dinners, I can tell you that he has the skills to make a lawn dart taste good.

Best Tasting Ducks 2009