“Farming gives me a better understanding of life and teaches me discipline. I get to give back to people in need; give back to the women and children.”
It may not be the typical motive behind a hard-working head farmer but these are the thoughtful words that come from Troy Johnson on a beautiful summer day in July. He’s a humble young man with a contagious smile that beams every time he’s asked about the Heritage Farm at the Methodist Home for Children.
The sound of giggling is carrying across three acres of magnificently transformed grounds as we discuss daily tasks that take place on the bountiful land just minutes from Center City Philadelphia. It’s at this farm, founded in 2011, that Troy oversees two seasonal interns, three to four part time staff during the summer, and gets his own hands dirty in order to deliver home-grown food to the children and families of The Methodist Home for Children.
“There is so much energy going into each plant. It’s like raising a kid,” Troy admitted when asked what surprised him most about the job he’s grown to love tremendously.
There’s a good chance Troy feels a bit more added pressure about the success of Heritage Farm considering the “green kids” that he’s raising, along with some help from his loyal, hard-working crew, are responsible for promoting healthy eating throughout the community, as well as physical activity and social engagement. Also, chefs from some of Philadelphia’s most respectful restaurants like Fork, The Farm & Fisherman, and Russet, gather ingredients from the Heritage Farm regularly for their nationally recognized dishes. To think that this produce, harvested with so much passion and altruistic intent, may have ended up on Craig LaBan’s plate when he deemed the dining spots as winners is almost too amazing to wrap your head around. A farm-to-table process so beautiful, it’s nearly unbelievable.
However, believe it or not, the Methodist Services Heritage Farm crew will be taking their skills and local chef relations one very big step further this fall when they host the first-ever Heritage Farm Fare on Thursday, September 19 at Philadelphia’s iconic Belmont Mansion. Sure to serve as a breathtaking observance of seasonal bounty and to raise funds in support of the farm’s ongoing operations, guests will find their expectations surpassed from all angles. The event will leave a long-lasting, life-altering impression on those who attend—a statement I can make in pure confidence after meeting the people behind the scenes. Their energy is inspiring as they all work together, in the fields, offices and classrooms, to build an infrastructure and strengthen their farming program to eventually reach a self-sustaining level.
Even beyond Troy, I was deeply touched by Jessica Lebow, an intern from Hamilton College who happily threw herself in the farming mix after her father graciously donated two tractors to facilitate daily tasks. She always had an interest in farming and explained “there is no average day, really. It’s all organic so we do a lot of weeding. One of my favorite parts is teaching the kids about where food comes from. I’ve asked them before and they’ll say things like “my mom” or “ShopRite.” Two employees, Donovan and Brianna, shared similar thoughts about working on the farm, admitting that it’s rather difficult but a different kind of experience that they wouldn’t trade for any other work.
Later, as Jessica weaved her way through the aisles of flourishing plants with us, she pointed to a tree and quizzed four young resident children. One of them recognized un-ripened plums just as quickly as the adults touring the premises. The children were entranced by her knowledge and eager to soak it all up—an attitude that’s refreshing to witness from children so young, and it brings to light just how important an operation like Heritage Farm is.
On top of teaching and weeding, Jessica assists with the Heritage Services’ two farm stands, which were adorably constructed, thankfully in part again, because of her father’s willingness to pitch in. One is situated directly on the farm at 4300 Monument Avenue, and services customers every Tuesday from 3 to 6 p.m., while the other has found its home on Belmont Avenue, every Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. Serving up pesticide-free fruit, vegetables, flowers and herbs, the stands are also capable of providing custom growing and wholesale pricing.
While there are probably very few people who think of farming as a simple task, there is certainly an added level of difficulty, or even creativity, when it comes to organic, pesticide-free farming on a budget. There are interesting techniques that Troy has taught himself by watching YouTube videos, attending classes at Penn State, a PASA winter conference, and furthering his education at Drexel University, that play a huge role in making their produce as fresh-tasting as possible.
Customers visiting the Heritage Farm market stands are purchasing produce picked either the day before or that very day of their visits—it’s fresh as fresh can be. Guests attending the event on September 19 will have a chance to experience the fresh flavors, too, since the ingredients will come directly from Heritage Farm’s well-managed grounds and a few other local farms.
While guests enjoy the absolutely stunning city views from the Belmont Mansion lawn, they’ll be sampling delicious bites prepared by a host of well-known Philadelphia area chefs and artisans including The Farm and Fisherman, Boxcar Brewing Co., Nectar, Supper, Di Bruno Bros., Farm Fromage, Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, Derek’s, High Point Cafe, Fork, Yellow Springs Farm and Russet. Because a spectacular food event is hardly complete without a refreshment to wash it all down, local libations will complement each chef’s inventive cuisine and make for the perfect fall celebration.
All-inclusive tickets are currently available online for the 2013 Heritage Farm Fare, to be held on Thursday, September 19, at 6 p.m. at the picturesque Belmont Mansion. Serious regrets will be had by those who do not attend. Don’t find yourself in that position and secure your tickets now.
Photographs credited to Nina Lea Photography.
