ABBEY DAVID of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
On April 25, the Club hosted ABBEY DAVID of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society who spoke , not only about the Society, but specifically about their Green Resource Center at the Norristown Farm Park. PHS is a 200 year old society that believes that gardening belongs to everyone, and strives to make communities more health, beautiful, and livable by promoting public gardens, educating , and sponsoring shows and events. The Green Resource Center is one of the PHS latest programs in growing and supplying nutritional food to communities in need. This project is located in the Norristown Farm Park, and consists of two acres dedicated to Health Neighborhood food gardens, also making space for local community plots,
and providing maintenance and distribution equipment. The farm has delivered an ever increasing harvest for the community starting with n1,000 lbs in 2021, 8,000 lbs in 2022, and 19,000 lbs last year. 100% of what is grown is donated to local non-profit community service groups for distribution.
The organization also offers educational programs in gardening, tree planting, storm water run-off improvements, and vacant land enhancements.
The Green Resource Center has 4 full-time employees and 15 part-time volunteers who show up to work the fields. Individuals can rent spaces from them for their own use also.
Abbey also talked about the Food As Medicine or VeggieRx program that they offer, on a prescription basis , those in need of a solution to mental health difficulties. They are currently working with 70 to 80 residents who are actively participating in this new program..
For further information or to volunteer, contact Abbey avid. at: adavid@Pennhort.org |
or PHSonline.org
Thank You, Abbey