Phoenixville Area School District

For the past few years, a team of administrators, club advisors and students have been working to “grow” what is now called Phantom Farms. With hard work in preparing and nurturing the vegetable gardens, students were able to grow and donate over 150 pounds of vegetables, this past summer and current fall season, to the kitchen at Anne’s Heart and PACS. Partnering with the Chester County food bank and PCEF has made this important project possible. Their donations of seeds, seedlings, and funds to support the garden beds, including soil and irrigation systems have significantly contributed to the program success.

The vision of Phantom Farms is to continue to expand to include a large functioning greenhouse. This greenhouse will serve several purposes. It will be equipped with the appropriate hydration and electrical systems that will allow year-round growing. It will support student centered classroom projects, experiments, internships, and service-learning activities. It will provide adults in the community with space to meet for opportunities to share gardening techniques or learn from professional horticulturists. Finally, the greenhouse will continue to be a providing source of nutritional food for families in need. 

Phantom Farms will incorporate an outdoor working area near the greenhouse. This will include a classroom with outside seating and instruction spaces to enjoy during the temperate seasons for the schools during hours and adult evening learning. There will be a large, fenced garden with raised beds for potential crop share opportunities and roadside markets. The possibilities are endless. 

In order to make this happen, the district has partnered with Trellis for Tomorrow who will provide additional support to the functioning of the greenhouse. Trellis will maintain the facility while also growing seedlings that will be dispersed to their local garden beds. Their staff expertise in horticulture will be invaluable to its function. Additionally, their programming for PASD youth to learn essential growing skills, in addition to curriculum that incorporates important life skills, such as social and soft skill sets to improve employability, will be integrated as opportunities for PASD students.

Sponsors

   


We are grateful to PCEF has committed for their financial support of the build of this large project. However, it is a large project, and we need your community support as well. We need donations and volunteers to make this possible, not only to build the greenhouse, but also to sustain it. 

Here are some ways that you can be a part of this endeavor:

• Provide small business or large corporate donations. Donate here: PASD Phantom Farms – Phoenixville Community Education Foundation (pcefonline.com)
• Provide services that might include fence installation or building of garden beds
• Provide material donations such as compost, garden tools, work benches, buckets, etc.
• Volunteer for a variety of tasks throughout the year

More details on how to get involved are coming soon!