APPENDIX A: RESOURCES FOR GROWERS
This resource list was adapted from Philadelphia Parks and Recreation’s Farm Philly program resource document.
Pathways to Land
> Public Interest Law Center, Garden Justice Legal Initiative is an organization that represents growers in need of pro bono counsel, and provides key policy research and analysis on urban agriculture, garden, and open space policy in Philadelphia.
https://www.pubintlaw.org/cases-and-projects/garden-justice-legal-initiative-gjli/
> The Center has produced several resources for agriculture communities, including:
> Grounded in Philly is a hub for growers that provides access to data on vacant land throughout Philadelphia and offers resources for residents interested in starting or preserving community-led vacant land projects
https://pubintlaw.org/cases-and-projects/grounded-in-philly/
> Vacant Land 215 Toolkit is a comprehensive self-guide for gardeners looking to maintain or create community spaces on vacant land. The guide was produced in 2016, therefore some of the resources might be out of date.
https://www.pubintlaw.org/cases-and-projects/garden-justice-legal-initiative-releases-vacantland-215-toolkit/
> Philadelphia Land Bank is an entity created from a decision in 2013, when the Philadelphia City Council passed a law to create the Philadelphia Land Bank. The role of the Land Bank is to put city owned vacant land back into productive use, including as gardens and farms. The Land Bank also has the power to buy property at sheriff’s sale for the same purpose. This entity is housed within the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (PHDC) and is a resource to learn more about acquiring a publicly owned property or obtaining an urban garden agreement.
https://phdcphila.org/land/buy-land/community-gardens-and-open-space/
> Farm Philly is the urban agriculture program of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. Farm Philly connects Philadelphians to the natural world and provides opportunities for accessible physical activities while supporting the self-determination and sovereignty of communities to grow their own food. The program supports gardeners, farmers, and residents’ ability to grow in spaces that nourish and heal their own communities. The program supports over 60 urban agriculture projects (e.g., community gardens, production farms and orchards) on park land and is actively involved in food policy and advocacy within the City. The program administers the process for residents to gain access (e.g. long-term leases) to park land for gardening, farming, or other agriculture projects. Additionally, Farm Philly provides growers with program support, supplies, outreach materials, workshops and training technical support.
https://www.phila.gov/programs/farmphilly/
> Neighborhood Gardens Trust (NGT) is a Philadelphia-based land trust dedicated to preserving and supporting community gardens and other shared open spaces across the city. To prevent the threat of development taking place on gardens, NGT works with self-organized gardeners, community organizations, property owners, and the City of Philadelphia to secure ownership or long-term leases for community-managed open spaces.
www.ngtrust.org
> Pennsylvania Farm Link (PFL) is a nonprofit organization working to “Link Farmers to the Future.” PFL works closely with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, other agricultural organizations and businesses across the Commonwealth to support farmers located in the state. Amongst many resources, the organization has a land-linking database which allows those interested in farming to connect with those who have access to land. This function supports the potential for land insecure farmers to work directly together with existing farms through lease or purchase options. It also enables farms to think about and implement succession planning.
https://pafarmlink.org/
Free Compost, Mulch, Wood Chips
> Fairmount Park Organic Recycling Center offers free and affordable compost, mulch, and wood chips. This facility is managed and operated by Philadelphia Parks and Recreation.
https://www.phila.gov/services/trees-parks-the-environment/get-organic-materials/
Water Access and Water Testing Support
> Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) produced a guide in 2023 (Guide for Urban Gardens & Farms: Getting Water Access) to support growers in gaining access to water resources (e.g. fire hydrants permits, new water lines).
https://water.phila.gov/pool/files/urban-garden-guide.pdf
> Pennsylvania State Cooperative Extension offers many resources to support food production and safety. One of those resources is water testing. Testing water is important for diagnosing problems that may be related to water quality as well as for assessing water nutrient content. Penn State’s Agricultural Analytical Services lab offers water testing for interested growers.
https://agsci.psu.edu/aasl/water-testing
Fruit Trees, Yard Trees, and Street Trees
> Philadelphia Orchard Project (POP) is a nonprofit that supports community-based groups and volunteers to plan and plant fruit and nut orchards.
https://www.phillyorchards.org/
> TreePhilly is a program of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation and the Fairmount Park Conservancy that supports city residents in planting and caring for trees, and increasing tree canopy coverage in every Philadelphia neighborhood. The program also hosts free yard tree giveaway events.
https://treephilly.org/yard-trees-2/
> For a resource about how to get street trees and yard trees planted in the city, please see: https://treephilly.org/street-trees/
> Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) Tree Tenders is a free education program for residents to learn the basics of tree biology, identification, planting, and care.
https://phsonline.org/programs/tree-programs
Public Greenhouse Space
> Community Propagation Program is a program of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation that provides rentable table space for residents to start seedlings for the season in a City-operated greenhouse located at the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center.
https://www.phila.gov/programs/farmphilly/propagation/
Farmers Markets
> Operate a Farmers Market is a City of Philadelphia guide for residents or business owners who want to register and operate a farmers markets to sell food directly to customers.
https://www.phila.gov/services/permits-violations-licenses/get-a-license/business-licenses-permitsand-approvals/food-businesses/operate-a-farmers-market/
> The Food Trust is a nonprofit that operates a network of farmers markets in Philadelphia. Community organizations and residents can partner with the Food Trust to start new farmers markets in their neighborhoods.
http://thefoodtrust.org/farmers-markets
> Farm to City is a local business that operates many farmers markets and aids community-supported agriculture (CSA) farms to find members and serve local communities and markets year-round with locally grown food.
https://www.farmtocitymarkets.com/
Soil Testing and Safety
> Pennsylvania State Cooperative Extension offers many resources to support food production and safety. One of those resources is soil and compost testing services and reports to inform growers what’s in their soil.
https://agsci.psu.edu/aasl/soil-testing/fertility
> For more background on the soil testing, please see: https://extension.psu.edu/soil-testing
> For compost testing, please see: https://agsci.psu.edu/aasl/compost-testing
> Soil Safety and Urban Gardening in Philadelphia Guide was released in 2017 by the Philadelphia Food Policy Advisory Council (FPAC). FPAC’s Vacant Land Subcommittee (now known as the Urban Agriculture Subcommittee) convened the Philadelphia Soil Safety Working Group in summer 2014. The committee generated this report that seeks to guide readers through the process of creating the Philadelphia Soil Safety Working Group, the policy research, process conclusions and policy recommendations given to the City of Philadelphia for soil testing and evaluation for urban agriculture projects. The document also informs growers of soil health and safety, and provides resources to research land where food production is taking place.
https://www.phila.gov/documents/soil-safety-and-urban-gardening-report/
Gardening Resources
> Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) Community Gardens Program is a resource program for new and existing community gardens in the city that offers resources, workshops, supplies, technical assistance, and educational support for growers.
https://phsonline.org/programs/community-gardens
> Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) Garden Tenders is an education program for residents to learn all the basics of starting a community garden.
https://phsonline.org/events/garden-tenders-spring-2022
> Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) Green City Teachers is an education program for anyone working with young people or youth educators inspiring the next generation of gardeners. The program covers topics including basic horticulture, light gardening (i.e. indoor growing), container gardening, worm bins, and much more.
https://phsonline.org/events/green-city-teachers-2022
Gardening Resources, Cont’d
> Penn State Extension Master Gardener Program is a program that offers in-depth workshop and training series on gardening and horticulture. Master Gardener volunteers support Penn State Extension’s educational programs and support the extension in better serving the home gardening public by answering community questions, speaking to community groups, writing gardening articles, working with youth, gardening in the demonstration gardens located across the city, participating in the Penn State pollinator research program, and in many other ways. Candidates must be 18 years old or older.
https://extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener
Connect with Other Growers
> Philadelphia Food Policy Advisory Council A food policy advocacy organization made up of members from across the City who advise the mayor, city agencies, and City Council on the food system that seeks to create a more economically and racially just local food system.
https://phillyfpac.org/
> Soil Generation is a Black- and Brown-led coalition of growers in Philadelphia, building a grassroots movement through relationship building, honoring culture, community education, organizing, activism, and advocacy.
https://soilgeneration.org
> Philadelphia Urban Farm Network (PUFN) is a Google group where Philadelphia growers share resources, agriculture- and horticulture-related questions, job opportunities, and engage each other with mutual aid support. groups.google.com/g/pufn
> Cesar Andreú Iglesias Community Garden is multi-racial, multi-generational community of growers and activists that aims to preserve community gardens and community-led spaces through grassroots organizing and to provide multi-generational activities for the local community, create harmony and balance with local ecosystems, and grow edible fruits and vegetables and plant medicine. The garden is currently engaged in a campaign to stop the City of Philadelphia’s Sheriff Sale and solve the US Bank Liens challenges to protect community land.
https://iglesiasgardens.com/
> PASA Sustainable Agriculture is a statewide network of farmers, food system professionals and change-makers focused on farmer-to-farmer based education. The organization runs citizen sciencebased benchmark studies to facilitate research with the farmers on their land alongside cohort meetings to address the challenges different farmers are facing across the state. This compiled on farm research helps farmers navigate decision making on financial viability and soil health practices over time. These reports are available for free on the organization’s website and opportunities to join the on-farm research cohorts are expanding. PASA offers scholarships to our annual sustainability conference in Lancaster, PA which facilitates farmer connections through speakers, networking events and a trade show that features business organizations with funding opportunities and tools for farmers.
https://pasafarming.org/