The Emerald Street Community Farm from

Lucy the dog’s perspective.

Lucy, or Lulu, as she’s referred to by Valentina and other volunteers, can usually be found by Valentina’s side at the farm. Valentina adopted Lucy in France, and the two have traveled to several countries together and eventually ended up in Philadelphia as active volunteers of the Emerald Street Community Farm.

Luca and Felix are Nic and Elisa’s children, and the family lives right next door to the farm. Felix is affectionately referred to as “Sharky” by his family and friends. A group of kids who are children of the farm’s volunteers can likely be found playing baseball across the street or playing with water guns. Naomi is usually busy running around with the chickens.

Naomi “The Chicken Whisperer” holds a chicken at the Emerald Street Community Farm.

Jen is a regular volunteer at the Emerald Street Community Farm working on the chicken committee and is currently raising the farm’s newest generation of chicks in her home.

Chicks at the Emerald Street Community Farm sit in a plastic bin.

When Jen walked through the farm’s gate with the chicks, the volunteers stopped what they were doing to take a look and hold one for themselves. The farm recently had a “Pics With Chicks” event, where anyone was welcome to stop by the farm and interact with the chicks.

Aura is another active farm volunteer. She recently became co-chair of the grower’s committee with another volunteer named Dee Dee.

“It’s a really big deal because we’re both minorities here,” Aura said. “So to come together is really powerful so we can open up the space to more of the community and have it be more inclusive and accessible and comprehensive for people who are just starting out."

Aura moved to the neighborhood in July and was looking for opportunities to volunteer. She saw the kids running around the farm on a walk one day, found out about weekly farm days, and decided to start volunteering.

"It took off a lot of stress off of us because we were able to just harvest and not worry so much about groceries," Aura said. "We were recovering from a crisis and dealing with heavy depression, so it was very helpful along with the community fridges that are in the neighborhood."

Aura holds a chicken in her lap on Wednesday, April 12, 2023.

The farm allows members of the community to take control of their narrative in North Philadelphia.

Aura said, “We deal with a lot of fear mongering in the media, and so this is a great way of off setting that and taking control, taking matters in our own hands, and knowing that whatever happens, we have food, we have our basic needs met, and it just brings people together.”

Naomi spends time in the chicken coop and tries to lure one towards her. She struggles as the chicken runs when she gets close, but she persists.

Multiple volunteers expressed gratitude for the food cultivated at the farm as groceries become more and more expensive. The Emerald Street Community Farm aims to give the community the ability to provide for themselves and each other.

Supplies organized in labeled bins at the farm. The farm holds events geared towards children and families.

Felix, or “Sharky”, ran around with my camera while Yasko, Phoenix, and Luca continued to play baseball. Below are some of the photos he took.