Philadelphia, PA
- Greensgrow is a non-profit organization that engages our neighborhoods in cultivating social entrepreneurship, urban agriculture, and community greening. Founded in 1997 as a hydroponic lettuce farm on the site of a former steel galvanizing plant, Greensgrow is a nationally recognized leader in developing urban agriculture projects, and providing access to fresh produce in low-income communities.
Greensgrow Farms, the organization's original location in Kensington spans a square city block where produce is grown in raised beds, with a vibrant farmstand, garden center, City Supported Agriculture (CSA) program and frequent educational workshops. The farm is home to one pig, one duck, several chickens, bees, turtles, and sometimes a cat.
In 2014, Greensgrow expanded to West Philadelphia on a previously empty and overgrown lot between the historic 52nd Street and Baltimore Avenue commercial corridors. This new satellite location - Greensgrow West - was reimagined with input from local residents with an eye towards green building practices, community greening resources, and programming designed for all ages. The site features a high tunnel, demonstration green roofs, repurposed shipping containers, and even a tiny house. Greensgrow West also features a full-service garden center, City Supported Agriculture farm share program, educational workshops, chickens, and often a few cats.
In addition to its farm locations, Greensgrow operates a community kitchen for small food businesses, a farmshare program for SNAP beneficiaries, mobile markets in underserved urban areas, and consults on matters pertaining to urban agriculture, social entrepreneurship and brownfield reclamation, employing over 35 people sustainably and generating 2 million dollars in economic activity for the region.
For more information, visit greensgrow.org.
