Germantown: Bringing The Farm Life To The City
Philadelphia holds the fifth largest city population in the United States and largely is made up of rowhomes and businesses along busy streets. One of the major identifiers for large cities is that the high quantity of buildings leads to fewer green spaces than there are in rural areas. Located at 215 E. Penn St., Germantown […]
Squirrel Hill: Paradise In Progress Contributes To The Urban Farming Movement
Peggy Nowak has a house in West Philadelphia that sits next to the lot her old home used to be situated on. Since being torn down, Nowak reclaimed that land to create her idea of a lavish garden filled with everything from milkweed to fig trees. The garden is called Paradise in Progress and is one of […]
Brewerytown: Girard-Dream Garden An Attempt To Integrate Bordering Neighborhoods
In 2011, the Brewerytown CDC and the Fairmount CDC collaborated to turn an abandoned lot into a space the two neighborhoods could put to use, creating the foundation for the community run Girard-Dream Garden. With the help of a grant from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, the Fairmount CDC was able to select and […]
Kensington: At Food Workshop, Greensgrow Teaches the Art of Preserving Seasonal Flavors
As cookbook author and full-time teacher, Marisa McClellan has undoubtedly mastered the art of preserving. Currently, McClellan runs her own blog, Food In Jars, and co-hosts the food podcast Local Mouthful. Her three cookbooks focus on preserving, canning and providing healthy alternatives to sweetening. Greens grow Farms, a nonprofit in Kensington focused on making urban farming […]
Kensington: Food Focused Organizations Strive For A Healthier Neighborhood
Many neighborhoods in Philadelphia are considered underprivileged “food deserts,” low-income areas that lack regular access to grocery stores and fresh markets. They battle with consequences such as early childhood obesity and an overall decline in health over time. Kensington is among these neighborhoods, with a history that includes a lack of grocery stores and sources […]
Haddington: Urban Tree Connection Promotes Growth for Community
Skip Wiener knows it sometimes takes a little dirty work to make a difference, which is why he founded the West Philadelphia-based non-profit organization, Urban Tree Connection. The Urban Tree Connection’s purpose is to revitalize vacant lots and homes into green spaces, promoting community engagement in low-income areas within the Parkside and Haddington communities through […]
Olney: United Methodist Plants Roots in Community
In line with its dedication to combat city hunger and promote nutrition, Solid Rock United Methodist Church will host its Harvest Festival on Oct. 25. The event, from 4:30 to 7 p.m., will feature free food, pumpkin “picking” and painting, story time and plenty of fall-appropriate treats for all ages. There, Reverend Margaret Powell will announce […]
Mill Creek: Urban Farm Gives Residents a Healthy Choice
Mill Creek Farm is an educational urban farm that’s dedicated to improving local access to fresh produce, building a healthy community and promoting sustainable food system. Micaiah Hall, the assistant farm manager, makes sure that the farm, located at 4901 Brown St. in West Philadelphia, produces to demand. He plants the next season’s crops, runs their produce […]
Kensington: Vacant Lots Are Recycled Into Urban Farms
Like many large and older cities, Philadelphia is stricken with a plethora of abandoned properties. More than 40,00 vacant lots exist in the city, according to phila.gov. Prone to crime and the dumping of trash, these unoccupied land plots have become eyesores for communities. In Kensington, though, gardeners have started refurbishing these lots and transforming […]
Kensington: Urban Farm Brings Community Together
In Kensington, subservience is becoming a part of everyday life for those involved with the Emerald Street Urban Farm, located on the 2300 block of Emerald St. With the help of local residents and out-of-towners alike, the farm is beginning to blossom for the 2013 growing season. The farm was originally funded by Elissa Esposito, […]