September 6, 2022 | Bryan Wanzer

Aquaponic Farming Careers: Yemi Amu guides students through careers in aquaponic farming

Yemi is the founder and director of Oko Farms, the first publicly accessible outdoor aquaponics farm in New York City.

We humanize career exploration by featuring real humans doing real things. Our mentors provide candid advice on how they got started and the steps to get there.
NICK GROSS, FOUNDER + CEO, FIND YOUR GRIND

Yemi Amu grew up in Lagos, Nigeria. She is the founder and director of Oko Farms, the first publicly accessible outdoor aquaponics farm in New York City. Yemi started Oko Farms in 2013 as a means to connect with surrounding communities and provide healthier alternatives to food consumption. The farm intends to promote environmental awareness and provide educational programs and resources to combat scarcity and food deserts.

Yemi is an entrepreneur and humanitarian that sees the value in community work. As she grows, she hopes to help others see what is possible and also achieve a growth mindset. Yemi is also driven to pass down the lessons she learns to others.

“When you’re a farmer, you’re everything: You’re a vet. You’re a botanist. You’re a plumber. You’re an electrician.”
Yemi Amu, Aquaponic farmer and find your grind mentor

Yemi has helped grow Oko Farms to become a place where people can come and learn more about farming, nutrition and the wildlife an urban farm attracts. Yemi has put together a place where quality food is grown and where she can fall back on her experience in nutrition and education. In fact in 2016, Hunter College Food Policy Center awarded her as the Rising Star in NYC Food Policy Award.