Today, Growing for Good went to Novick Urban Farm, located at Fort Mifflin in Philadelphia. We worked on various tasks, such as wheeling soil to the garden beds, turning over soil, clearing sticks and logs, and planting spinach, cilantro, scallions, and parsley.
After a brief donut breakfast, we boarded the bus and headed over the bridge to Fort Mifflin, which is very close to the Philadelphia International Airport! Erin and Clara, the head farmers at Novick, greeted us and told us about their educational mission and outlined our work for the day. Some students took wheelbarrows over to a giant pile of soil, while others shoveled the soil into those wheelbarrows. The people using the wheelbarrows took them back over to the flower bed to put nice fresh soil into them. Other students were working on tilling the soil to make it nice and fertile. With the fresh soil in the flowerbeds, some students worked on spreading it out and making sure it is not compact because loose soil provides better growth for plants.
After a strong start, we took a much-needed water break and got right back into action. Groups of students took on some new tasks, moving sticks and logs out from the road, and we untangled an array of hoses. After some more hard work, we took a nice lunch break out in the beautiful sun. Then, we worked in the raised garden beds and planted some veggies and herbs in the fresh topsoil.
To end the day, we stepped inside the historic Fort Mifflin, which was a helpful fort during the Revolutionary War. We got to tour the old fort, stepping inside a tavern room, as well as the old prison. Fun fact: Fort Mifflin is supposed to be haunted! We definitely felt some spooky vibes while exploring. To close the day off, we took a nature walk alongside the Delaware River looking at all the trees, birds, and native plants that call Fort Mifflin home. After arriving back at school, we ate ice cream sandwiches and snacks while watching Food, Inc., a documentary.