Upcoming events.
Earth Day of Service
(Pre-registration required at least 24 hours in advance to participate in the event)
Come lend a hand on tasks to help the farm get ready for the spring season! Tasks will include building and replacing beds, filling beds with soil and compost, cutting back overgrowth, mulching trees, and shoveling woodchips.
Ages 12 and up (must be accompanied by an adult). No experience needed. Please wear close-toed shoes and bring layers (including a long-sleeve layer), and wear clothes that can get dirty. Bring your own water bottle.
Companion Planting
(Pre-registration required at least 24 hours in advance to participate in the event)
Join Freehaven Farms for an on-farm workshop at Pleasant Playground Community Garden about how companion planting can enhance your organic food production.
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that includes a seasonal variety of leafy greens, fruit, root crops, summer vegetables, herbs, and always eggs.
We welcome all Chester residents!
Orchard Irrigation Part 2
(Pre-registration required at least 24 hours in advance to participate in the event)
We welcome those who did not attend Part 1. This is a followup to the install - capture and measure emitter output. Perhaps installing a tensiometer for added accuracy. Please wear layers and bring footwear that can get muddy/is waterproof if it has been wet. Also a hat and sunscreen and water bottle if sunny. This workshop is on-farm and mainly outdoors, but will include instruction in a covered space.
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that includes a seasonal variety of leafy greens, fruit, root crops, summer vegetables, herbs, and always eggs.
We welcome all Chester residents!
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that includes a seasonal variety of leafy greens, fruit, root crops, summer vegetables, herbs, and always eggs.
We welcome all Chester residents!
Introduction to Aquaponics and Hydroponics
(Pre-registration required at least 24 hours in advance to participate in the event)
This workshop provides an engaging introduction to aquaponics and hydroponics. Participants will learn the foundational principles of these systems, explore their key components, and understand how they support soil-free plant cultivation. The session includes practical insights into setting up and maintaining small-scale systems, troubleshooting common issues, and applying these techniques in urban gardening and community projects. Perfect for beginners and enthusiasts, this workshop combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on demonstrations.
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that includes a seasonal variety of leafy greens, fruit, root crops, summer vegetables, herbs, and always eggs.
We welcome all Chester residents!
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that includes a seasonal variety of leafy greens, fruit, root crops, summer vegetables, herbs, and always eggs.
We welcome all Chester residents!
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that includes a seasonal variety of leafy greens, fruit, root crops, summer vegetables, herbs, and always eggs.
We welcome all Chester residents!
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that includes a seasonal variety of leafy greens, fruit, root crops, summer vegetables, herbs, and always eggs.
We welcome all Chester residents!
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that includes a seasonal variety of leafy greens, fruit, root crops, summer vegetables, herbs, and always eggs.
We welcome all Chester residents!
Fermented Hot Pepper Sauce
(Pre-registration required at least 24 hours in advance to participate in the event)
Lacto-fermented pepper hot sauce workshop. Hands on activity discussing recipes and techniques to preserve and turn peppers into hot sauce. Please dress weather appropriate to be outdoors. We do have some covered space. We suggest you biing a water bottle.
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that includes a seasonal variety of leafy greens, fruit, root crops, summer vegetables, herbs, and always eggs.
We welcome all Chester residents!
Season Extension Using Cold Frames
(Pre-registration required at least 24 hours in advance to participate in the event)
Join Farmer Shawn for a workshop that uses Plasant Playground Community Garden as th backdrop for learning how to use cold frames for extension of your growing season. Whether you are a garden or small farm, being able to use the shoulder seasons to extend your access to local foods is a great way to support access to healthy late fall and early spring produce.
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that includes a seasonal variety of leafy greens, fruit, root crops, summer vegetables, herbs, and always eggs.
We welcome all Chester residents!
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that includes a seasonal variety of leafy greens, fruit, root crops, summer vegetables, herbs, and always eggs.
We welcome all Chester residents!
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that includes a seasonal variety of leafy greens, fruit, root crops, summer vegetables, herbs, and always eggs.
We welcome all Chester residents!
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that includes a seasonal variety of leafy greens, fruit, root crops, summer vegetables, herbs, and always eggs.
We welcome all Chester residents!
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that includes a seasonal variety of leafy greens, fruit, root crops, summer vegetables, herbs, and always eggs.
We welcome all Chester residents!
Winter Orchard Pruning
(Pre-registration required at least 24 hours in advance to participate in the event)
This on-farm workshop will demonstrate winter fruit tree pruning for many diverse fruit trees and then includes hands-on experience practicing winter fruit tree pruning together at a community farm. Please dress in layers and wear or bring footwear that can get wet or muddy. This is mainly an outdoor event.
Vermicomposting
(Pre-registration required at least 24 hours in advance to participate in the event)
Turn your food scraps into “black gold” with us! Join our hands-on workshop to create Vermicomposters from simple plastic bins and discover the magic of turning leftovers into rich, nutritious compost. With the help of hardworking earthworms and microorganisms, your food scraps will transform into worm castings—a powerhouse of nutrients, boasting 7 times more phosphates, 5 times more nitrogen, and 11 times more potash than your average soil. Plus, the “compost tea” produced during the process can be used as a nutritious liquid fertilizer, ideal for potted plants and seedlings. Just remember, your worms thrive best between 60–80°F, so make sure you’ve got a cozy winter spot ready for your vermicomposters.
The workshop will be held in a heated greenhouse, all materials and worms will be provided.
Presenter Bio
Anamaya Farthing-Kohl started a roof garden in Mexico City in 2014, where they fell in with vermicomposting. They had a surplus of castings and worm tea and started gifting and selling bottles of “lombripis” (worm juice) in the Lagunilla market in Mexico City. Anamaya is a maker and solver of problems through diverse methods and materials.
Cut Flower Crop Support with Reusable Metal Cages
(Pre-registration required at least 24 hours in advance to participate in the event)
Learn how to make reusable metal cages for cut flower crop support. Cages will help you grow long, straight stems necessary for mixed bouquets and design work. Reusable cages take some investment to build up front, but they quickly pay off. You will save countless hours in labor and frustration (dealing with pounding posts, tangled one-use plastic netting, and a toppled, unusable bed of flowers). This workshop will demonstrate the step-by-step process we use at RBCF to build our cages. Plus, you’ll leave with a cage to experiment with in your growing space.
Please note: This workshop will take place outdoors. We have a heated greenhouse to warm up in, but please check the weather and dress accordingly!
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that changes each week and with the season. They always include eggs, kale or collards, potatoes (white or sweet), beets or carrots, and often a value added item like bread, tofu, or yogurt.
We welcome all Chester residents!
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that changes each week and with the season. They always include eggs, kale or collards, potatoes (white or sweet), beets or carrots, and often a value added item like bread, tofu, or yogurt.
We welcome all Chester residents!
Fall Festival and Urban Growers Resource Fair
(Pre-registration 24 hours in advance is required)
Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 26th from 11:00AM - 2:00PM at the farm for a FREE Fall Festival & Urban Growers Resource Fair!!
There is something for the entire community!
*Ruth Bennett Community Farm Tours
*Pick pumpkins
*Apple tasting & cider-making
*Face painting
*Bouquet making
For Urban Food Producers & Beginning Farmers: Hear from local agencies and government official, and fellow growers! Experts will be there to provide information about accessing publicly available resources to expand your growing efforts. Do not our Featured Guest Speaker, Malik Yakini, founder of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network.
Check out their website for more information. https://www.dbcfsn.org/
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that changes each week and with the season. They always include eggs, kale or collards, potatoes (white or sweet), beets or carrots, and often a value added item like bread, tofu, or yogurt.
We welcome all Chester residents!
Masa Workshop
(Pre-registration required at least 24 hours in advance to participate in the event)
Join NJ organic farmer and veteran Jose Spellman Lopez for a hands-on seasonal workshop that will teach you how to turn corn into masa.
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that changes each week and with the season. They always include eggs, kale or collards, potatoes (white or sweet), beets or carrots, and often a value added item like bread, tofu, or yogurt.
We welcome all Chester residents!
Accessing Funding for Raised Garden Beds through the USDA
(Pre-registration required at least 24 hours in advance to participate in the event)
Learn how to access funding for raised garden beds for your farm or garden during this workshop with USDA staff from NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) and FSA (Farm Service Agency). You will also hear firsthand from Latanya Ingraham, an urban grower in Lansdowne, PA who has installed raised beds through NRCS’s EQIP program (Environmental Quality Incentives Program). NRCS staff will explain how they work with growers to conserve natural resources through a program like EQIP; and FSA staff will explain how they work with growers to set up the necessary farm records to apply for a program like EQIP.
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that changes each week and with the season. They always include eggs, kale or collards, potatoes (white or sweet), beets or carrots, and often a value added item like bread, tofu, or yogurt.
We welcome all Chester residents!
Paw-Paw Habanero Hot Sauce Workshop
(Pre-registration required at least 24 hours in advance to participate in the event)
Join NJ organic farmer and veteran Jose Spellman Lopez for a hands-on workshop about paw-paws a native perennial fruit treasure and learn how to make paw-paw habanero hot sauce and think about value-added production.
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that changes each week and with the season. They always include eggs, kale or collards, potatoes (white or sweet), beets or carrots, and often a value added item like bread, tofu, or yogurt.
We welcome all Chester residents!
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that changes each week and with the season. They always include eggs, kale or collards, potatoes (white or sweet), beets or carrots, and often a value added item like bread, tofu, or yogurt.
We welcome all Chester residents!
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that changes each week and with the season. They always include eggs, kale or collards, potatoes (white or sweet), beets or carrots, and often a value added item like bread, tofu, or yogurt.
We welcome all Chester residents!
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that changes each week and with the season. They always include eggs, kale or collards, potatoes (white or sweet), beets or carrots, and often a value added item like bread, tofu, or yogurt.
We welcome all Chester residents!
Peach Salsa Workshop
(Pre-registration required at least 24 hours in advance to participate in the event)
Join Jose Spellman-Lopez for a hands-on workshop using fruits and vegetables from the farm or garden to create yummy seasonal dishes with a focus on peach salsa
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that changes each week and with the season. They always include eggs, kale or collards, potatoes (white or sweet), beets or carrots, and often a value added item like bread, tofu, or yogurt.
We welcome all Chester residents!
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that changes each week and with the season. They always include eggs, kale or collards, potatoes (white or sweet), beets or carrots, and often a value added item like bread, tofu, or yogurt.
We welcome all Chester residents!
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that changes each week and with the season. They always include eggs, kale or collards, potatoes (white or sweet), beets or carrots, and often a value added item like bread, tofu, or yogurt.
We welcome all Chester residents!
Spring Orchard Thinning, Pest and Disease Management
(Pre-registration required at least 24 hours in advance to participate in the event)
Jose Spellman-Lopez will lead this hands-on workshop on fruit thinning and pest and disease prevention. Support healthy organic fruit production with tips and tricks for spacing your fruits through thinning, without damaging your trees in the process. Other basic tips for spring orchard maintenance will be discussed.
Fungi for the Modern Gardener
(Pre-registration required at least 24 hours in advance to participate in the event)
Join Tyler Case from Mycopolitan as he shares tips on growing wood-loving mushrooms at home, how to use leftover material in the garden, worm bins, and some cutting-edge research into fungal-dominant compos.
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that changes each week and with the season. They always include eggs, kale or collards, potatoes (white or sweet), beets or carrots, and often a value added item like bread, tofu, or yogurt.
We welcome all Chester residents!
Farm Business Planning 101
(Pre-registration required at least 24 hours in advance to participate in the event)
Join Dylan Baird CEO of Philly Food Works and Loren Pola, Supply Chain Coordinator for a conversation about farm business planning basics, business operations planning for small plot farming and to learn about some upcoming technical assistance support for farm business planning.
Food Hub Tour
(Pre-registration required at least 24 hours in advance to participate in the event)
Join Dylan Baird CEO of Philly Food Works and Loren Pola, Supply Chain Coordinator for a conversation about selling to urban food hubs and take a tour.
FREE Food Distribution
Come by the farm between 1 pm and 3 pm to pick up a FREE fresh box of organic produce!
Boxes are filled with local produce that changes each week and with the season. They always include eggs, kale or collards, potatoes (white or sweet), beets or carrots, and often a value added item like bread, tofu, or yogurt.
We welcome all Chester residents!
Opportunities through the Pennsylvania Ag & Youth Grant Program
(Pre-registration required at least 24 hours in advance to participate in the event)
Sara Gligora works as the Central Regional Director at the Pennsylvania State Department of Agriculture. She will share information about the Pennsylvania Ag & Youth Grant Program, which provides direct grants and matching grants to help fund eligible projects, programs and equipment purchases conducted or made by an organization composed mainly of youth, or an organization with programs that benefit youth. Additionally, hear a firsthand experience from previous program recipient, Heidi Witmer of The Leaf Project.
Setting Up Orchard Irrigation
(Pre-registration required at least 24 hours in advance to participate in the event)
Join Jose Spellman-Lopez for a hands-on workshop to learn how to efficiently set up basic orchard irrigation systems to support your orchard during dry periods. Learn how to install basic orchard tubing, drip irrigation and set up irrigation that pinpoints specific plants.
Winter Orchard Pruning
(Pre-registration required at least 24 hours in advance to participate in the event)
Jose Spellman-Lopez will share winter pruning tips and tricks using the Ruth Bennett Community Farm's diverse orchard trees, vines and shrubs to model best practices for winter pruning.
Funding Opportunities for Beginning Farmers with Horizon Farm Credit
Join us for a moderated webinar featuring Ag Relationship Manager, Justene MacCauley, and Member Education & Young, Beginning and Small Farmer Program Manager, Johanne Rohrer, who will be sharing more about the Farmers on the Rise and GrowAhead award programs through Horizon Farm Credit. Additionally, hear a first-hand experience from a previous urban agriculture loan program recipient.