Mi Oh My Hydroponic Farms is a worker-owned hydroponic farm and educational organization with a mission to improve food access for the food insecure, while also providing opportunities for BIPOC communities to build generational wealth using Cooperative Economics and Just Transition principles, a vision-led, unifying and place-based set of principles, processes, and practices that build economic and political power. We exist to be a model of the new economy!
We envision a renaissance in organic and healthy food alternatives that are grown locally, powering a local economy that can provide alternative means of buying food and earning an income. Supporting worker cooperatives means you are saying no to the exploitation of labor and yes to the empowerment of workers.
Our farms are located in food insecure communities, offering us an important connection to the communities we want to serve.
CBS 2's Elijah Westbrook did a report on our microgreens and mushrooms indoor farm in the Bronx.
BronXChange featured Mi Oh My Farms founder, Joél Mejia
Started by Bronx native, Joél Mejia, in the summer of 2020, numerous information sessions have been held to educate people about becoming a worker-owner and cooperative economics in general, and after successfully vending at JBOL's farmer’s market in the north Bronx area, a number of candidates trained to grow hydroponic microgreens, to become worker-owners, connect with the local Bronx food justice community, and spread the benefits of our products.
Our worker cooperative is operated by a diverse set of individuals with skills and passion that synchronize with the vision of the company. Started at the founder’s house, we maximized floor space by growing vertically, and thus reducing overhead costs as we build capital. In October of 2021, we moved the farm to the Riverdale section of the Bronx and our now expanding to a larger location and setting up HQ in Kingston, NY. Worker-owners, Marc Konkoly, Katy Mejia, Joel Mejia, Lilia Martinez and Kellen Insfran work hard to bring you locally grown superfoods!
All members need to be trained in hydroponics and how to produce our products. Members then decide what aspect of the business they feel most called to, and thus, support that aspect of the business while always maintaining the farming operations that bring in the revenue. One of our real strengths has been keeping our budgets and expenses lean this way.
We are a POC worker-owned cooperative, and are always adding volunteers and training new members as worker-owners of the farm. For more info on worker owned cooperatives, visit nycworker.coop to inform yourself about cooperative economics before completing the form if you are interested in joining the team.