Greensgrow
Brie Stevens, James Hughes, Katherine Mundy, Ngan Ha Do
Background
“Over time, we never really invested in any one thing so when the winds of change moved in – more and more interest in local foods – we shifted... As we’ve grown, we’ve tried to keep one foot in this community and one in the greater city.” -
Mary Seton Corboy, Greensgrow co-founder
What is Greensgrow? “Greensgrow is now one of the nation’s most closely watched examples of urban farming... serving as a model for other cities on how to turn brown to green.” “GROW GALVANIZED STEEL TO GREENSGROW GARDEN: AN URBAN FAIRY TALE WITH A GREEN ENDING” EPA.gov
Greensgrow’s Co-Founders: Mary Seton Corboy & Tom Sereduk Since its inception, Greensgrow has grown to be more than just a hydroponic lettuce farm. Over the years, it has become as distribution center and bridged the gap between the city and rural farm Started over 12 years ago and since then they’ve been striving towards sustainability & ways to work greener http://www.greensgrow.org
“Abandoned land is only abandoned if we choose to leave it that way.� - Mary Seton Conboy
Brownfield What is a Brownfield? The term “brownfield site” means real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. - EPA.gov Land History of Greensgrow • Former site for galvanized steel plant. • EPA addressed major health threats in 1993 • Site abandoned for 8 years.
http://www.greensgrow.org
“Degradation often spreads beyond the boundary of one property to blight an entire neighborhood or community. Surrounding streets become stagnant and unsafe. Concerns about safety and crime rates increase.... Property values decline... The inspiration and creativity that formed the neighborhood’s original vibrancy can fade away.” - EPA.gov
The Location 2 miles from Center City Kensington Neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia Located at: 2501 E Cumberland St, Philadelphia PA Nearby Aramingo Avenue, busy street with many businesses Home to Irish American, Polish Americans, Hispanic Americans, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, and African Americans
Hydroponics BioDiesel
Hoophouse Raised Beds
Greenhouse
Farm Stand/CSA Welcome/CheckOut Shed
http://www.greensgrow.org
davetavani.com
Relationships
“At Greensgrow, your farm stand helpers are likely to have the tattoos and streaked hair that befits the youthful tone of the pioneering neighborhood.” - Steve Poses, in his September 2010 article “On the Road: Philadelphia’s Neighborhood Farmers’ Markets: Kensington’s Greensgrow”
Internal Relationships • Greensgrow has 18 full-time staff members, including a Projects Manager, Ryan, pictured at left • Range of volunteers/interns throughout the year, tasks/duties change with seasons
“At Greensgrow, your farm stand helpers are likely to have the tattoos and streaked hair that befits the youthful tone of the pioneering neighborhood.”
Steve Poses, in his September 2010 article “On the
Road: Philadelphia’s Neighborhood Farmers’
Markets: Kensington’s Greensgrow”
External Relationships • Greensgrow has worked with various organizations, businesses, and companies over the 12 years it has been in operation, such as: • Subaru (corporate sponsor) • UArts • Philadelphia Brewing Co. • Integrated Pest Management, UPenn • City Year • Minima Gallery • Kensington Community Food Co-Op (KCFC) • Wal-Mart • Various restaurants/businesses/ schools/churches
http://www.greensgrow.org
External Relationships • Greensgrow has worked with various organizations, businesses, and companies over the 12 years it has been in operation, such as: • Subaru (corporate sponsor) • UArts • Philadelphia Brewing Co. • Integrated Pest Management, UPenn • City Year • Minima Gallery • Kensington Community Food Co-Op
(KCFC)
• Wal-Mart • Various restaurants/businesses/ schools/churches
External Relationships • Greensgrow has worked with various organizations, businesses, and companies over the 12 years it has been in operation, such as: • Subaru (corporate sponsor) • UArts • Philadelphia Brewing Co. • Integrated Pest Management, UPenn • City Year • Minima Gallery • Kensington Community Food Co-Op (KCFC) • Wal-Mart • Various restaurants/businesses/ schools/churches
http://www.greensgrow.org
External Relationships
• Group of Kensington residents who are working to inspire cooperation among the residents of this community, to provide access to affordable high quality food, and to promote healthy environmental practices • Primary goal is to open a member-owned cooperative grocery store that will be operated and maintained by its members • Members hold stake in a company and receive discounts/benefits from many neighborhood stores and organizations
Customers • Weekly/Bi-Weekly Farmers’ Market • Seasonal (Summer/Winter) CSA with over 500 families as members, growing • Target demographic is young urban families living in Greensgrow’s own community
However, their services are all-inclusive and
they strive to cater to “everyone”
• 10,000 visitors/year to E. Cumberland site • Education programs, especially for young people and children, happen year-round
Outreach/Community • “Sustainability Series” of workshops, lectures, and hands-on building projects (source of info in addition to the open nursery, tours, and their website) • Workshops on things like canning, seed-starting, and how to make beer • New workshops are recommended by the community or staff members based on interest, much like our own department’s “Skill Shares” • After-school cooking programs • “Greensgrow U” • Classes/Workshops for “credit” where participants earn a “degree in common sense” • Inspire people to learn more advanced skills and meet an end goal
Farmers/Vendors • For a small fee, over 50 farmers/vendors can sell at Farmers’ Markets or have their wares included in Greensgrow’s CSA • The web of contributors reaches 75 miles from Greensgrow, which is extremely impressive for a 1-block farm.
On the right, jars of Greensgrow’s own Rhubarb Jam. A local church kitchen is used to make the product. http://athomebysteveposes.wordpress.com/2010/09/17/on-the-road-philadelphias-neighborhood-farmers-markets-kensingtons-greensgrow/
Farmers/Vendors • For a small fee, over 50 farmers/vendors can sell at Farmers’ Markets or have their wares included in Greensgrow’s CSA • The web of contributors reaches 75 miles from Greensgrow, which is extremely impressive for a 1-block farm.
On the right, jars of Greensgrow’s own Rhubarb Jam. A local church kitchen is used to make the product.
Farmers/Vendors • For a small fee, over 50 farmers/vendors can sell at Farmers’ Markets or have their wares included in Greensgrow’s CSA • The web of contributors reaches 75 miles from Greensgrow, which is extremely impressive for a 1-block farm.
On the right, jars of Greensgrow’s own Rhubarb Jam. A local church kitchen is used to make the product. http://athomebysteveposes.wordpress.com/2010/09/17/on-the-road-philadelphias-neighborhood-farmers-markets-kensingtons-greensgrow/
Products & Yield
“It’s nothing Fancy. Just good.” - Steve Poses, in his September 2010 article “On the Road: Philadelphia’s Neighborhood Farmers’ Markets: Kensington’s Greensgrow”
Farmers Market • The Farmer’s market is everyother week on Saturday from 10AM-3PM • Has and assortment of everything that Greensgrow and other local farms grows, and harvests • The KCFC (Kensington community food coop), and KCK (Kensington community kitchen) and some others also participate in the farmer’s market • Has 8-12 local farmers selling their produce & products along with Greensgrow • Sells fresh food, some prepared food, other products and hard goods
http://athomebysteveposes.wordpress. com/2010/09/17/on-the-road-philadelphiasneighborhood-farmers-markets-kensingtons-greensgrow/
Farmers Market • Sells produce from local farms, as well as meat, eggs, cheese and yogurts as well as you can have your peppers roasted right in front of you, and your corn seasoned and grilled as well for $1per pepper or ear of corn.
Above: one of the volunteers roasting peppers http://athomebysteveposes.wordpress.com/2010/09/17/on-the-road-philadelphias-neighborhood-farmers-markets-kensingtons-greensgrow/
Products & Produce Fruit
• Strawberries • Greenhouse Tomatoes • Apricots • Blueberries • Peaches • Plums • Raspberries • Cantaloupe • Blackberries • Nectarines • Pears • Watermelon • Apples • Grapes • Pumpkins • Melons
http://athomebysteveposes.wordpress.com/2010/09/17/on-the-road-philadelphias-neighborhood-farmers-markets-kensingtons-greensgrow/
Vegetables
• Arugula • Asparagus • Lettuce • Salad Mix • Kale • Mustard Greens • Radishes • Rhubarb • Spinach • Spring Onions • Mushrooms • Pac Choi • Sugar Peas • Swiss Chard • Beets • Broccoli • Carrots • Cucumbers • Kohlrabi • Yellow Squash • Green Zucchini • Cabbage • Cauliflower • Corn • Eggplant • Green Beans • Green Peppers
Flowers
• Honeysuckle • Catmint • ‘Becky Shasta Daisy’ • Hosta • Silver Scrolls • ’Kopper King’ • Beardtongue • phlox • ’East Friesland’ • Globeflower • ‘Black Eyed Susan’ Goldsturm • Lungwort • ’Touch of Class’ Jacob’s Ladder • Geranium (Cranesbill) Anne Folkard • Ostrich fern • Sweet Autumn Clematis • Coreopsis ‘Creme Brulee’ • Brunnera ‘Looking Glass’ • Aquilegia (Col-
Products & Produce Cont. Meat & Dairy Products
Other
• Cow’s Milk
• Mulch
• Eggs
• Fertilizers
• Goat’s Milk
• Ceramic Pots
• Di Bruno Bros. Cheeses
• Cement Pots
• LeRaysville Cheeses
• Nursery Plants
• Amish Style Butter
• Gardening Tools
• Local Made Yogurts
• Gloves
• LeRaysville’s Garlic Ched-
• Honey
dar • Shellbark Hollow Farm’s fresh chevre, • Mancuso’s handmade mozzarella • Muenster • Longhorn Monterey Jack • Amish Swiss • Grass-Fed Ground Beef — Natural Meadows Farm
• Sour kraut • Fruit Trees • Shrubberies • Groundcovers • Grasses
CSA
“I really enjoy so many aspects of the CSA - the sense of community, seeing friends at Greensgrow, shopping in the nursery, getting fresh produce and especially trying new veggies and new recipes.� - CSA customer Greensgrow.com
What is CSA?
CSA
• CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture, But unlike other CSA’s Greensgrow’s CSA is different, because it includes more than just vegetables, every year Greensgrow takes the comments, surveys and suggestions of what people said the previous season and use that information to influence what they will be including into the next season’s CSA • Greensgrow’s CSA adds locally made cheeses, yogurts, eggs, meat, tofu, and the occasional beer from a local brewery that they grow the hops for • Greensgrow does grow much of its produce on site, but they also have produce, and other products trucked in from local farms, a few farms that they work with are M&B Farview Farms, Trickling Springs Creamery, & Hometown Provisions, and many more.
Whats included in 2011’s Summer CSA The summer CSA what is in each share that is given out every other week is:
• A seasonal assortment (5-8 items) of locally grown vegetables • 2 types of fruits. 5 pears and 4 apples, or quart of strawberries and a pint of raspberries. • A locally-produced cheese usually: Garlic Cheddar, Fresh Chevre, and handmade Fresh Mozzarella • A dairy option: 2 cups of Pequea Valley yogurt • 1⁄2 lb. of Amish-style butter • 1 dozen eggs - pastured, free-range, hormone- and antibiotic-free • a package of tofu or a container of Seitan • Occasional special items from local stores: • A loaf of freshly baked bread from one of several local bakeries, including Metropolitan, Sarcone’s, Slow Rise bakery, as well as our home made dessert breads, • Oyster and/or Shitake Mushrooms from Angela and John at Oley Valley Mushrooms (featured at many local restaurants including Southwark and the White Dog Café), • LinVilla Orchards Apple Cider • Locally produced honey • Beer from Philadelphia Brewing Company, produced in Kensington. • Occasionally there is a non-food item, such as Copa Soaps. they introduce CSA members to other local businesses and directly fit into the mission of Greensgrow as Growers of Food, Flowers, and Neighborhoods. • Locally grown, cut flowers from our own “farmer Tom”
http://www.greensgrow.org
If Greensgrow Didn’t Exist This map illustrates where & how far the people of Kensington would have to travel just to get the local produce & products that they would normally get at Greensgrow
Farm raised dairy products Fruit and Veggie market Flower Shop Super Market Butcher’s Shop Honey
Resources & Technology
“...Coaxing healthy vegetables out of what was once a toxic slab of concrete never ceases to amaze staff and visitors alike.� - Greensgrow.com
Developing World Technology • Low budget •
Low cost materials - Wood - Pallets - Concrete - Simple fasteners - tarp, etc.
DIY Approach • • • • •
Greensgrow grows 20 different types of vegetables - about 2000 lbs of food/year Average cost of cement blocks if purchased new = $1-2 Community donations Low budget Pallet companies in Philadelphia
Technology and Services • Raised beds • Plants can be grown in containers and raised beds in soil trucked in from New Jersey
Composting Systems • Composting/Vermicomposting - Compositing vegetation waste, can be removed to offsite property. Waste is composted and returned to the earth when necessary. - Waste is put in large wooden bins for precomposting - food scraps, vegetative matter, then fed to tens of thousands of worms. • Finished compost in high tunnels and potting mix • Composting toilet takes 2 years to cure
Water Systems • Little drainage area near and onsite - concrete slab, sidewalks • Philly water system is a CSO - Combined Sewer Overflow - Heavy rain overloads sewers and dumps raw sewage into local rivers and other bodies of water •
Problem treated with Green Roofs around farm - Green roofs use plants to trap run-off, sig nificantly reducing run-off around the property
• Currently testing rain barrels to store water for the hot summer in areas near the green house where a green roof is not possible • Looking for larger systems of storage for rain barrels
Advanced Systems • •
On site shipping container used as a refridgeration system Uses simple system based on air conditioner -Cooling power at lowest cost
• Green roof on shipping container further re duce cooling of thermo boxes • Low electric usage • Galvanized water tub at the curb - Engineered into a freestanding stormwater filter
Bio-Diesel System
• Collect old fry oil from local restaurants • Dump oil into a drum and filter to remove fries and debris from mix • Moved through an offside hot water tank and heated to 130 degrees • Mixed with Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) and methanol and pumped back into a second drum.
Distribution Center
Impact Greensgrow has on the Community: • Brings the community together • Provides local fresh food source to the community • Helps the neighborhood thrive • Thriving neighborhood helps reduce crime
Conclusion “Over time, we never really invested in any one thing so when the winds of change moved in – more and more interest in local foods – we shifted... As we’ve grown, we’ve tried to keep one foot in this community and one in the greater city.” -
Mary Seton Corboy, Greensgrow co-founder
• Greensgrow’s unique location/attitude towards its position within the community have allowed it to become multifaceted and forge diverse relationships that affect the widest range of citizens possible. The “growing” doesn’t stop within the walls of the E. Cumberland site. Source:David Barrie’s flickr