by Clare Hyre
This Saturday three farm apprentices
and one education intern and I took a bike tour of west Philadelphia farm
education programs. Or first stop was Mill Creek Farm on 49th and Brown and we
were greeted by a lively farm stand with samples of pasta and squash as well as
delicious looking veggies just harvest. Jo Rosen (Executive Director) took us
on a tour of the farm and told us the amazing history and then sent us on our
way - of to Preston's Paradise .
We were very lucky to find Ryan Kuck,
outside in his yard harvesting sweet potatoes. "I forgot all about ya'll
coming" , he said but happily let us into his urban farm. In his tiny yard
there was a small plot of veggies, chickens, and an amazing cob greenhouse.
Down the street he had planted an orchard for some neighbors and he said there
were other small plots they were working with all around the neighborhood.
"I really love farming," said
Kuck, "but now we are focusing on getting the food distribution".
Look out for Kuck and his partners in their food truck on Lancaster Avenue. The
food truck is a partnership between Greensgrow Farms and Preston's
Paradise.
Our next stop was the Urban Nutrition
Initiative University City High School Garden were we stopped to eat lunch. Don
Key, the farm educator there was not around but we were able to walk around the
garden and discuss farm education models and the complexity between for and
non-profit establishments. After lunch we snuck over to the Green Line for a
quick cup of coffee.
Last stop ( a little more Southwest) was to
Bartram's Garden and Bartram's Farm and Community Center. Located on 54th and
Lindbergh Ave. Bartram's Garden is an Oasis in and industrial complex. Judson ,
Katilyn, Erin, and Matt seemed awed by the age of the garden and the history
and were excited to learn about Osage Oranges and other trees. At the farm we
met with farm educator Chris Bowden-Newsom and learned about the
work the newest UNI farm is doing.
It was a beautiful fall day and we all
had a great time! The tradition of Weavers Way bike tours continues!!!!
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