Roots

Philadelphia Weekly

ARTS AND CULTURE

Johanna Rosen

By Alli Katz & Michael Persico

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted May. 21, 2008

photography by michael persico

"We try to grow a variety, especially things that are popular in the neighborhood but aren't available affordably or fresh. We sell produce at a farmers market, Mariposa food market and some smaller cafes, and donate to food cupboards and a women's shelter. People are excited to buy stuff that's grown in the neighborhood without chemicals. A lot of seniors use their farmers market coupons with us, which is great. We're in our third growing season. The other co-director, Jade Walker, and I were working for the Urban Nutrition Initiative and put a proposal forward to start a farm. We grow vegetables, fruits and herbs. The summer I got out of high school I got a job at a farm and I've been farming ever since. Jade has been farming for more than 10 years and learned how through experience rather than schooling. The two of us are the only paid staff, but we couldn't do it without all the volunteer help."