The farm was established in 1984 as a community and educational resource and to give borough residents, particularly young people, experience of animals. The facilities at Hackney City Farm include a farmyard, area for grazing, garden and a tree nursery with butterfly house.[1] The amenity encourages children to learn about the natural environment, growing vegetables and caring for animals. The farm is home to a range of animals, including poultry, sheep, rabbits, bees, pigs and a donkey.[2] Animals can be adopted at the farm, and free range eggs are for sale.
Hackney City Farm is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. It runs educational projects, exhibitions, courses in crafts and farm trails, and operates a café, Frizzante, which won a Time Out award for best family restaurant in 2004.[3] In 2008, the cycling shop Bike Yard East opened in the farm, selling cycle products and offering repairs.
In 2015 Hackney City Farm registered with Ofsted as a privatealternative school. The farm has places for up to 10 pupils aged 13 to 17.[4]
