As a child growing up in Indiana, Matt Jefferson always enjoyed watching rows of corn grow. Plants have always been a part of who he is. So moving to Brooklyn in 2002 posed a challenge. Like many of us, he found city life far too full of concrete and in desperate need of green space. It helped him discover a whole new challenge in urban farming. It taught him to look beyond large, rolling fields, and to find in any available space, no matter how small, an opportunity to grow something lush and green.   

 

From 2012-2018, Matt worked with Brooklyn Grange in building and managing New York City’s first large-scale rooftop farm. Increasing and translating his skills to cityscapes, his time as an urban farmer helped him appreciate how necessary these green spaces are to us. He witnessed firsthand the positive impact that soil and plants have on the environment, the people, and the communities that were now his home. 

 

Taking that wide range of skills and know-how, Matt established Brooklyn Backyards. His passion is for helping people surround themselves with nature and beauty, no matter their space. He also has a commitment to carving out an impactful environment for the city.  

 

Depending on the size of the job, Matt will work solo, or curate a small team appropriate to your needs. He prefers to focus on one job at a time, in order to complete the work in a dedicated and timely manner. He works in a manner that respects the space, light and household needs, understanding how to best design a space that is sustainable for both the plants and the people involved. Whether creating a full yard from scratch, a small terrace, or a simple planter box, Matt focuses on craftsmanship and strong relationships with his clients to carve out the best space possible.

 

Go Pacers!

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