Urban Farming

Today was an educational day for us. We learned about urban farming from the staff at Philadelphia Horticultural Society (PHS). PHS has partnered with various companies, including PECO (energy company) to create "green rooftops" on their buildings. We took a tour of the PECO building and those of us 18 and over (Clayton was the only youth eligible) got to walk on the roof. The plants on their roof improve the city's water supply and storm water system, which is sub-par. 

Here is a picture of Clayton and Alex on the rooftop:

From the PECO building, we traveled to Bartram's Gardens, a botanical garden in West Philadelphia (yes, we sang the song from "Fresh Prince"). Included on the property is a large urban farm that grows organic produce for soup kitchens and food banks in neighborhoods where fresh produce is a rarity.  Tomorrow, we'll be working in one of PHS' many community gardens.

Oh--and we got showers today! Here's what a bunch of CLEAN high schoolers look like:

We are learning a lot, enjoying the city and each other's company. God is good--working in our lives and in the world!