Fall ‘24 Farm Updates

Overview

AT THIRD is here. Hi, I’m Ashley, founder and operator, nice to meet you. THIRD represents the intersectionality of our lives (not to mention our urban farm is on forty-THIRD street). It is my goal to use AT THIRD to mitigate some of the scary reality of the times we are living through:

• Stat on Food insecurity

• Stat on gmo foods

• Stat on seed patents

• Stat on how many farmers we’ve lost over the years

• Stat on pesticides used on crop in large scale farming

• Stat on % of  U.s. food grown abroad

• Stat on war time affecting food supply chain

I am building this place from just another house to a vibrant resource for the town of Pennsauken and surrounding areas. Our ethos centers around community, preservation & sustainability, and education. I will sell locally only. My produce would be closer to the end of its life cycle the farther it goes and indoor plants struggle immensely--if they don’t die--with shipping conditions. I hope to make this urban farm as sustainable as possible by restoring its soil depleted after years of neglect, catching rainwater instead of relying on city water and buying reusable materials when possible. Our goal of preservation will mainly focus on seed saving. Whether it can grow here or not, I will be collecting seeds for future generations who wish to commit to growing our own food and protecting our communities from corporate greed. I will educate others on the injustices happening right here in our country, especially considering international crises will be hitting closer to home with each passing day whether through our wallets or through our supply chains. 

Fall Progress:

1. Leveled out the growing land; cleared top soil of debri and trash.

2. Built a greenhouse for seed/plant starts & indoor plants in the spring/summer

3. Built water barrels to utilize rainwater for plants instead of city water

4. Installed in-ground compost bin to begin rehabilitating the health of the soil. 

Recommended watch/read*:

• Seed: The Untold Story

• Why U.S. Farms are not Producing enough Food

• Why Billionaires are buying up farmland all over the U.S.

• The number of U.S. farms continues slow decline

• Climate change: Land degradation and desertification

  *The links will always be free to access at the time of publication. If you’re reading this in the future, they may no longer be available and/or free.

  *I can admit these topics can feel very end-of-the-world like. I often fear these realities but as indviduals, all we can focus on is what we can do during our time on Earth. AT THIRD is what I can do.

Winter Plans:

1. Build raised garden beds

2. Choose and source non-gmo seeds for planting and create rough planting schedule

3. Obtain license to grow and sell plants

4. Install a free community pantry on property on a take-what-you-need, leave-what-you-can basis