Nearly three dozen volunteers gathered over the weekend at the Ruth L. Bennett Community Farm in Chester to help prepare for the upcoming growing and distribution season, writes Kathleen E. Carey for the Daily Times.
The annual event was held for the eighth time on Saturday.
“It’s just a great way to kick off the season,” said Natania Schaumburg, farm manager. “There’s always a lot to do.”
Located behind the Ruth Bennett Community, the two-acre farm includes more than 100 raised beds, two greenhouses, and an orchard.
It hosts bi-monthly food distributions, supplying over 40,000 pounds of produce to Chester Housing Authority residents and others in the community.
On the second Thursday of each month starting in May and ending in November, 120 boxes of produce are distributed, with this year’s first distribution set for May 14.
Saturday’s event also marked the return of participants in the Ruth L. Bennett Community Farm Youth Employment Program, which employs 11 youth ages 14 to 18 for an eight-week period beginning in June.
“They’re helping us prepare for our upcoming season,” said Joseph “Joe Joe” Dukes, assistant youth coordinator.
Read more about Ruth Bennett Farm in the Daily Times.
