About the space.
The blank canvas.
Welcome to Torresdale & Megargee Streets in Northeast Philly! Our community partners, New Courtland offered this space for the team to imagine, create and build a sunflower field. This area formerly had PHA housing, so, in checking the soil, we noticed a lot of cement and foundational materials in the ground. A wonderful opportunity to beautify a neighborhood, provide purpose to the space and get veterans back to work! Challenge accepted!
Measuring the space.
Veteran and Rodale farmer, Mike and HG Intern Baylee, measure out the space where the field will live.
Phase 1: Lasagna garden technique.
Given that the soil needs to be reinvigorated, we need to create the space for the sunflowers to live. This means we are going to use a technique knowns as lasagna gardening. This is no small effort.
What we will use:
- 270 cubic yards of compost
- 1 tractor trailer of cardboard
- 300 tons of leaves
- 2 Forklifts with buckets
- 10 Wheelbarrows
- Volunteers!
All in, this is approximately a $40,000 project.
This field, will be the site of a U-Pick field, led and run by Veterans. Together we will turn this space into a one of a kind destination in Northeast Philly!
Phase 2 in 2025: COMING SOON
A unique workforce development opportunity for members of the Veteran community.
A community destination for EVERYONE.
the sunflower field sponsors.
individual donors wanted.
If you'd like to donate directly to this project, you can do that here!
