Can Philadelphia Urban Farming Work? Urban Roots Screening & Discussion

Can Philly benefit from an urban farming movement?

A screening and discussion of the documentary Urban Roots is being hosted by the Westphal College (Drexel University) to explore this possibility.  Urban Roots follows urban farming in Detroit, Michigan, where local farmers healed their communities by growing local food.  The film’s discussion (including panelist and director Mark MacInnis – full panel list below), following the film will focus on how Philadelphia’s urban farming can assist our local community – and how you can get involved.

The event is open to the public at Drexel University on Tuesday, February 7th at 7:30 PM in the Bossone Research Center (3140 Market St).

Have time before the movie?  There will be a screening event at 6:30 PM of Clay Hereth’s documentary short West Philly Grown. Clay’s film tells the story of the Mill Creek Farm, an urban farm at 49th & Brown Sts in West Philadelphia that grows a variety of organic vegetables, herbs, and fruits in addition to providing educational programs on urban farming.

The event is $5 for the general public and free with a Drexel ID.  Need more info? Call 215-895-1029 or visit Westphal’s website.

Panelists include:

• Dr. Eugenia Victoria Ellis: Drexel professor and co-director of the Drexel Engineering Cities Initiative, moderator
• Chris Bolden-Newsome, Farmer Educator, Bartram’s Gardens
• Phil Forsyth: Orchard Director, Philadelphia Orchard Project
• Ryan Kuck: Co-Founder Preston’s Paradise and farm manager Greensgrow
• Mark MacInnis: director, Urban Roots
• Dan Pohlig: Communications chair, South Philly Food Co-op
• Johanna Rosen: Co-Founder/Co-Director, West Philadelphia’s Mill Creek Farm
• Sarah Wu: Mayor’s Office of Sustainability

Partners presenting this event include Drexel Green, the office of University & Community Partnership, Westphal’s Film & Video program and Westphal’s departments of Architecture & Interiors and Media Arts.