May 22, 2008 Issue                                       

©2007 The Chestnut Hill Local

Germantown home finds new life in green education, farmers market
by Lisa Kniezewski

The Wyck house and museum is primarily known as a National Historic Landmark in Germantown that has preserved the life of nine generations of the same Quaker families, the Wistars and Haineses. Recently, however, Wyck’s image has been evolving as they continue with the family’s love for education and horticulture through many community programs.

On Friday, May 23, Wyck will open its second annual farmers market. Landon Jeffries, the farm manager, has been busy working on the crops for opening day. Most are heirloom crops, which allows them to save the seeds and replant them next year. Chemicals are not used and they are harvested naturally.

Crop selection this year includes garlic, scallions, shallots, various herbs, snap and shell peas, potatoes, radishes, lettuce, chard, beets, tomatoes, leeks and other various items. Wyck will continue to work with Amish farmer Amos Fisher, who will bring his own selection of crops grown on his 11 acres of land.

“The food turned out amazingly well last year,” said horticulturalist Nicole Juday who has high hopes for this years farmers market. 

Wyck’s farmers market offers cheap neighborhood prices and accepts coupons from The Farmers Market Nutrition Program, a federal program for mothers and seniors, as well as food stamps.  The market will be open on the sidewalk outside of Wyck on Fridays from 2 to 6 p.m. 

Wyck does not grow crops for only the farmers market, but also for their educational programs for children.   Four Headstart pre-kindergarten groups come weekly from Germantown High School and Settlement Music School. Headstart is a government-funded program that offers assistance to families in need.

At Wyck, the children look for bugs, help with the compost, plant seeds, harvest, taste produce from the garden, make ant farms and run around.  Many of the schools in Philadelphia do not have sufficient room for children, play in a natural setting, and coming to Wyck is a very special time for these children.

“The outdoor education program is a tool for making a bridge between Wyck as a resource and the community,” said Reeve Basom, outdoor educator at Wyck. 

Eighth graders from the Germantown Settlement Charter School also come to Wyck for the After-School Garden Club.  These children have their own plot in the back of the garden where they can watch their plants grow. Children from GSCS help at the farmers market as well.

Juday said she is eager to raise awareness about the opportunities Wyck  has.  They offer many programs for kids of all ages and more schools are urged to come.

In addition to the programs they offer, Wyck will also have several events in the next month.  Wyck’s famous rose garden will be on display at the Rose Garden Tea on May 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be an open house and reception.