PHILADELPHIA COUNTY - Building a Children’s Garden and Working with Youth

Weaver's Way Community Programs (WWCP) is a nonprofit arm of Weaver's Way Co-op in Philadelphia's Mt. Airy neighborhood. The program was started in 2007 to "support local food production, economic literacy, a sustainable environment and healthy lifestyles." WWCP maintains sites at the Mort Brooks Memorial Farm (at Awbry Arboretum), W.B. Saul Agricultural High School and Stenton Family Manor. Our field day will be at the Mort Brooks Memorial Farm site. This particular farm was established in 2000 by Norma Brooks and friends after her husband Mort's death. The farm currently raises produce to sell at the Weaver's Way Co-op stores and Headhouse Square Farmers' Market. The farm also has a Children's Garden under the management of Shelley Hedlund (PA-WAgN's 2014 Urban Farm mentor). Hundreds of school children tour the farm every year and participate in a variety of programs such as Compost and the FBI, Art on the Farm, Seed to Seed, Farm to Plate and others. The Children's Garden is a quarter acre of education for children pre-K through 8th grade. Kids help plant, harvest and eat the products of the garden. Learning is interactive for all ages up to college-age. Youngsters learn about healthy living and sustainability through topics such as seed saving, composting, integrated pest management, beekeeping, economics of food and harvesting techniques. WWCP educators also teach many classes off the farm. Information about these can be found on their website.

Pennsylvania Women's Agricultural Network

Address

302 Armsby Building
University Park, PA 16802