The Urban Agriculture program at Wyncote Academy, located at 7607 Old York Road in Melrose Park, has been awarded a Sustainable Cheltenham Award by the Township’s Environmental Advisory Council (EAC).
The program was nominated for its offerings of science and elective courses and participation in growing fruit and vegetables, producing maple syrup, keeping bees, and processing farm products, township officials said.
Approximately 60 students attend Wyncote Academy each year and nearly all participate in the program, which includes a working farm that produces honey, eggs, maple syrup, and vegetables. Students learn about organic farming, food preservation techniques, reducing food waste, and creating nutritious and delicious products by participating in canning, fermenting, dehydrating, and making preserves.
In the maple sugaring initiative, 600 gallons of sap are collected and processed each week at the season’s peak from 260 trees from 35 local residences and area partners.
The urban agriculture program was co-founded by late head of school Mark Linkins and teacher Adrienne Redd in 2021, joined the following year by farmer Nick Lodise, who, with the late Nala Bloom, built the program by growing food, running farm markets in food deserts, raising chickens, and connecting young people with nature and food production.
The fruit and vegetables grown by the Academy are sold at several farmers markets and through a community-supported agriculture (CSA) that provides weekly shares of fresh, organic produce to Wyncote students and others. Some products are sold at the Wyncote Farms Winter Market.
The leaders of the program hope to encourage more backyard gardening, and to continue providing students with more access to green space and valuable learning.
“In winter, think about how to reduce your food waste. Think about planning your meals for the week, so what’s left from one dinner is used for another, and figure out where to take your food waste,” Adrienne Redd said. “Take food that you don’t use to a local food cupboard and try to give food waste to someone with chickens – Wyncote Academy gives food scraps to their chickens and local goats! Start to visualize your own ecology, where your food comes from and where it ends up.”
The EAC began the Sustainable Cheltenham Awards recognition program in 2014 to share sustainability success stories and encourage sustainable practices throughout the Township. Nominations are accepted and evaluated on a rolling basis.
To nominate sustainable residents or businesses for an award, you can click here.
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Photos: Cheltenham Township