Greensgrow Farms

Art of Food — Produced by Monica Rogozinski

In 1997, tired of growing crops in New Jersey, Mary Seton Corboy and her friend Tom Sereduk finally found an empty lot in Kensington to start the local urban farming they have been hoping for and signed a two year lease. The lot had a terrible history of pollution and litter in the soil as most lots did in the post-industrial area of Philadelphia. But with the use of hydroponic growing systems and raised beds it is now a thriving center in the community. All kinds of crops and flowers are grown, and also new concepts and initiatives of sustainable practices are encouraged, tested and put into practice. There is never a dull day at Greensgrow Farms. Numerous accomplishments have come out of this visionary and transformative quality, such as the CSA (City Supported Agriculture), making prepared foods in the underused church kitchen down the street, collaborating with food trucks and food entrepreneurs, turning that into an education initiative with workshops for all kinds of people, and most importantly, developed an active and connected community of people and farmers from Philadelphia and beyond.


Watch Chef Bradford Bucknum prepare ketchup and tomato jam from Greensgrow Farms left over fresh tomatoes.


Extended interview with Chief Ideas Officer and founder of Greensgrow Farms, Mary Seton Corboy

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