James Baldwin Outdoor Learning

What James Baldwin Outdoor Learning does

James Baldwin Outdoor Learning Center (JBOLC) is a community nonprofit founded in 2009 and based on the DeWitt Clinton High School campus in the Bronx, New York. The organization operates as a "Soil Soul Society" building food, environmental, and social justice through a cluster of interconnected programs: a seasonal Saturday farmers market (June through October, 10am-3pm) at the corner of Goulden and Sedgwick Avenues and Mosholu Parkway South, the Meg's Garden Community permaculture garden, an Edible Forest of 27 fruit trees planted in 2017 with the National Fruit Tree Foundation, a Sustainability Internship, a Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) run with Teens for Food Justice and Kingsbridge Heights Community Center, a food relief program donating produce to Friendly Fridges and POTS food pantry, the Tree Love street tree care program (NYC Parks-funded), the Camp Plant Trees watershed initiative, and cultural events including the annual Harvest Festival and Air We Share Dance Festival.

The underlying technology is intentionally low-tech: permaculture design, soil science, composting, tree planting, and zero-waste market logistics. SNAP/EBT acceptance with NYC Health Bucks matching (up to $10/day) and a carry-in/carry-out policy define the market's accessibility feature set. The Welcome Table, a gathering structure built from the timber of a 90+ year-old oak tree, serves as the physical anchor.

JBOLC's business model is a hybrid nonprofit structure funded through grants (a disclosed $30,000 United Way Seed Grant in 2016 plus NYC Parks and other institutional funding), donor contributions via the Soil Soul Society membership, and farmers market sales (transaction-based, pay-what-you-can with SNAP/EBT). Customer segments are primarily low-income Bronx community members, students and youth from DeWitt Clinton and surrounding schools, and community volunteers. The organization reports more than 3,903 trees planted since 2002, 40 street trees under community care, 315.92 lbs of recyclables diverted in 11 days, and 100+ lbs of hot peppers grown for Bronx Hot Sauce in 2019.

Name

James Baldwin Outdoor Learning

Legal name

James Baldwin Outdoor Learning Center

Website

https://jamesbaldwinoutdoorlearningcenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

James Baldwin Outdoor Learning Center is a Bronx-based nonprofit operating a seasonal farmers market, community garden, and Edible Forest on the DeWitt Clinton High School campus, serving low-income Bronx residents, students, and volunteers through permaculture, food relief, and sustainability education programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bronx

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Farmers Market Sales: Weekly Saturday farmers market selling farm fresh produce, local vendor goods, vegan and vegetarian food, and eco-friendly products. SNAP/EBT accepted with NYC Health Bucks matching up to $10 per day.
2. Donations: Tax-deductible donations accepted through the Soil Soul Society membership program to support community programming.
3. Food Relief Donations: Fresh produce donated to Friendly Fridges and food pantries in the Bronx during market and indoor events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

James Baldwin Outdoor Learning Center (JBOLC) operates a weekly Saturday farmers market in the Bronx offering farm-fresh produce, local vendor goods, and vegan/vegetarian food alongside hands-on community programming. The organization runs permaculture-based community gardens (Meg's Garden and the Edible Forest), sustainability and youth employment programs for students, food relief distributions to local pantries, and seasonal community events such as the Harvest Festival and Air We Share Dance Festival. It functions as a community non-profit (Soil Soul Society) combining food access, environmental education, and cultural programming.

Product overview

James Baldwin Outdoor Learning Center (JBOLC) operates as a Soil Soul Society offering community-centered programs centered around its Garden Community Farmers Market, a weekly outdoor market from June through October. The organization provides hands-on educational programming through its Sustainability Internship and Summer Youth Employment Program, operates Meg's Garden Community and Edible Forest for permaculture education, and runs seasonal events including Harvest Festival and Spring Banquet. Additional offerings include food relief donations to local pantries, tree planting through the Camp Plant Trees initiative, street tree care via the Tree Love Program, and The Welcome Table gathering space feature. The portfolio functions as interconnected community programs rather than a unified technology product or platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• JBOLC Garden Community Farmers Market: Weekly farmers market operating every Saturday from 10am-3pm, mid-June through end of October, offering farm fresh produce, local vendors, vegan and vegetarian food, and weekly programming including live music, yoga, dance lessons, story time, and health workshops.
• Meg's Garden Community
• Soil Soul Society
• The Welcome Table
• The Air We Share Dance Festival

Products and services

• JBOLC Garden Community Farmers Market Weekly Saturday farmers market (10am-3pm, June-October) at 100 W Mosholu Parkway S, Bronx, offering farm-fresh produce, local vendors, vegan/vegetarian food, SNAP/EBT acceptance with NYC Health Bucks matching, and weekly programming including live music, drum circle, yoga, dance lessons, story time, family art, and health workshops. For Bronx community members and visitors.
• Meg's Garden Community & Edible Forest Permaculture-based community garden and edible forest inspired by and dedicated to Megan Charlop, featuring 27 fruit trees and berries. Open to community members, students, and volunteers for hands-on sustainable gardening and learning.
• Sustainability Internship / Green Internship
• Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) Summer youth employment program in collaboration with Kingsbridge Heights Community Center and Teens for Food Justice, in which students work in gardens, a hydroponics farm, and community food justice advocacy, including operating a youth market selling campus-grown produce. For teens in the Bronx.
• Outdoor Classroom / Sustainability Education Outdoor education programs held in Meg's Garden and the Edible Forest guided by sustainable permaculture practices, focusing on hands-on learning about growing sustainably, nurturing sensibility, and understanding nature patterns. Integrated with science, biology, engineering, art, and English classes. For DeWitt Clinton HS students and surrounding school groups.
• Food Relief Program Program donating fresh produce and healthy vegan/vegetarian food from the farmers market and events to Friendly Fridges in the surrounding neighborhood and food pantries in the Bronx, including POTS (Part of the Solution). For food-insecure Bronx residents.
• Harvest Festival
• Camp Plant Trees
• Tree Love Program NYC Parks-funded program hosting tree care events engaging community volunteers and students in caring for street trees along Goulden Avenue and Sedgwick Avenue, including weeding, mulching, and garbage collection. For community volunteers and students.
• Spring Banquet Seasonal community event featuring tree care activities along neighborhood streets and garden-grown refreshments including garden pizzas and homemade applesauce. Free community gathering.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 3,903 trees planted by students since 2002 through Camp Plant Trees program
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

38 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Amalgamated COOPminorOthersCommunity partner organization listed on JBOLC's partner organizations page.
• Aeternal LoversminorOthersCommunity partner organization listed on JBOLC's partner organizations page.
• Bronx Community FoundationminorOthersCommunity foundation partner supporting Bronx community initiatives.
• Bronx Historical SocietyminorOthersPartner organization supporting historical preservation and education.
• Citizens Committee for NYCminorOthersPartner organization supporting community initiatives in New York City.
• CALL (City As Living Laboratory)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity As Living Laboratory - arts, science, and climate organization that has partnered with JBOLC for environmental and arts programming.
• Clatter Valley FarmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily-owned and run farm that provides sweet corn and produce to JBOLC Market. Owner Jeremy is a healthy soil specialist.
• Cultured MovementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDance organization that has become a local tradition at JBOLC Market. Partnered with JBOLC for the Air We Share Dance Festival and weekly dance activities.
• Edible AcademyminorOthersPartner organization supporting edible education and garden-based learning.
• EEAC-NYCminorOthersEnvironmental education organization in New York City.
• Forest for All NYCminorOthersOrganization supporting urban forest initiatives in New York City.
• Friends of Jerome ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization collaborating with JBOLC on tree care events, engaging volunteers from Manhattan College Track Team to care for street trees.
• Friends of Mosholu ParklandminorOthersFriends group supporting Mosholu Parkland preservation and maintenance.
• Food Pantry POTScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Solution (POTS) - local organization on Webster Avenue whose mission is to nourish the basic needs and hungers of all who come to its doors. Accepts recovered food from JBOLC's cafeteria recycling program.
• Grow NYCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting JBOLC's farmers market operations and recycling initiatives. Laura Piraino of Grow NYC's Recycling Champions helped train cafeteria recycling educators.
• Lawyers Alliance for New YorkminorOthersLegal services organization supporting nonprofit organizations in New York City.
• Literary Freedom ProjectminorOthersOrganization supporting literary and educational programs.
• Mi Oh My Hydroponic FarmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHydroponic farm partner that may contribute to JBOLC's urban agriculture education.
• Montefiore Community CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity center partner supporting community health and wellness programs.
• Montefiore Medical CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical center partner supporting community health initiatives.
• MOREOperaminorOthersOpera organization partner.
• National Fruit Tree Planting FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation that donated persimmon trees and partnered to create the Edible Forest with 27 fruit trees and berries in Spring 2017.
• New York Botanical Garden - Bronx Green-Up & NYC Compost ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner providing support for garden development, composting education, and community garden programs. Kaydine and Jodie from NYC Compost Project facilitate visits to Meg's Garden.
• New York Mycological SocietyminorOthersOrganization supporting mycological education and fungal knowledge.
• NYC ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYC Parks awarded JBOLC a grant to host tree care events. Major partner for green infrastructure and park programming.
• NYC Soil & Water Conservation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner collaborating with JBOLC on sustainability education and green infrastructure projects. Shino from NYC Soil and Water Conservation participated in pollinator garden creation.
• Partnerships for ParksminorOthersOrganization supporting park partnerships and community greening initiatives.
• Plant Native North West Bronx (PNNWB)minorOthersOrganization promoting native plant use in the Northwest Bronx.
• RAP 4 BronxminorOthersCommunity organization serving the Bronx.
• Silver Shoes Dance ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDance club founded by Daniela Del Giorno that organized the Air We Share Dance Festival at JBOLC Market. Members participated in six-week open air dance program.
• Teens for Food JusticecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for youth employment program (SYEP) and food justice advocacy. Students worked in gardens, hydroponics farm, and community food justice initiatives.
• Uptown and Bronx Friendly FridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner receiving fresh produce donations from JBOLC Market to stock community refrigerators for neighbors in need.
• Good ShepherdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-Based Partner Organization that sponsored the United Way Seed Grant of $30,000 for community garden construction. Toni Campopiano and staff helped train cafeteria recycling educators.
• Kingsbridge Heights Community CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Summer Youth Employment Program, collaborating with JBOLC to beautify the Garden Community Farmers Market site.
• Transition and College Access CenterminorOthersPartner for Summer Youth Employment Program at DeWitt Clinton High School.
• Garden to CafeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner contributing produce including kale and apples from New York farms for JBOLC events.
• Lehman College Dietetics DepartmentminorOthersLehman College kitchen used for preparing baked goods including apple pie for Harvest Festival.
• Krueger Transit Consulting (KTC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner that launched project to clean up air in the Bronx by replacing diesel buses with hydrogen fuel cell electric buses. Partnership resulted in the Air We Share Dance Festival at JBOLC.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Harlem Grown: Harlem Grown is a NYC-based nonprofit running urban farms, educational programming for youth, and food access initiatives in Harlem. Closely comparable to JBOLC's combination of community garden, school-based education, and food justice model.
• Teens for Food Justice: Teens for Food Justice operates hydroponic farms inside NYC public schools and runs youth employment programs around food justice. Directly comparable to JBOLC's SYEP, school-based outdoor classroom, and food relief programming — and is already a stated partner.
• Just Food: Just Food is a NYC nonprofit focused on equitable access to fresh, healthy food through community-supported agriculture, farm-to-school, and food justice advocacy. Compares to JBOLC on mission, geographic focus, and community-led delivery model.
• Eagle Street Rooftop Farms: Eagle Street Rooftop Farms is a Brooklyn-based rooftop urban farm offering CSA, market sales, and food justice education. Directly comparable to JBOLC as a small NYC urban farm running farmers market sales and on-site education programs.
• Grow NYC: Grow NYC operates farmers markets, greenmarkets, and zero-waste/composting programs across NYC. It is a direct peer: JBOLC is already a partner, and both run urban farmers markets with environmental programming and farm-to-table community engagement.

Regional players

• BronxWorks: BronxWorks is a Bronx-based nonprofit providing youth, education, workforce, and community services. Comparable on the Bronx community-development and youth-services dimensions, though it is not specifically agriculture-focused.
• La Finca del Sur: La Finca del Sur is a Bronx-based urban farm run by Black and Latina women, focused on food sovereignty and community building. Comparable to JBOLC on Bronx geography, urban agriculture, and food justice orientation, though it operates on a different model.

Broad incumbents

• City Harvest: City Harvest is NYC's largest food rescue organization, collecting excess food and distributing it to pantries. Comparable to JBOLC's food relief arm (Friendly Fridges, POTS donations) but operates at much larger scale and broader geographic scope.
• New York Botanical Garden: NYBG is a major botanical institution running Bronx Green-Up and the NYC Compost Project, both of which directly support JBOLC's work. A larger incumbent with overlapping urban horticulture, gardening education, and community engagement programs.

Emerging players

• Green City Force: Green City Force is a NYC nonprofit that trains young adults in urban agriculture, energy efficiency, and environmental stewardship. Comparable on the youth-employment-meets-sustainability angle, though its service population is different in scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/james-baldwin-outdoor-learning

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about James Baldwin Outdoor Learning