Inspired by Caribbean Farmers, Local Woman Creates FarmerJawn CSA in Elkins Park

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Christa Barfield - Philadelphia Inquirer - MONTCO Today
Inspired by Caribbean farmers she met on a trip two years ago, Christa Barfield created FarmerJawn community-supported agriculture business in Elkins Park. Image via The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Christa Barfield decided to give community-supported agriculture a try two years ago after she was inspired by the Caribbean farmers she met during her trip, writes Stephanie Farr for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

She rented two greenhouses in Elkins Park and invited volunteers through several local Facebook groups to help her clean them up. And while she expected to see a few people show up, maybe a dozen at most, she got a nice surprise when 80 volunteers poured onto the property.

The response was enough of a confirmation that her FarmerJawn Greenhouses CSA already had community support.

“They came out in droves,” she said. “People were really happy somebody was going to be growing on this site again.”

Her business of growing fresh vegetables and herbs is now supported by 50 families, from Elkins Park to Germantown.

The property where she farms has several more greenhouses, including a 5,000-square-foot one Barfield refers to as her “Vision House.”

“I want to end food injustice and insecurity with the revenue from what I’ll grow in that greenhouse someday,” she said. “That’s why I call it my Vision House.”

Read more about Christa Barfield at The Philadelphia Inquirer by clicking here.

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