Community Gardens of Chester County

Advisory Committee

Nancy Bartley, Chair

Ora Carr

Ginger Elting       

Luz Garzon

Susan Goldsworthy

Dale Hendricks 

Cintra Murray       

Elinor Thomforde

Amanda Galloway,

Director

 

P.O. Box 995

Unionville, PA  19375

484-888-1669

gardenscc@gmail.com

 

 

 

About Us

Community Gardens of Chester County was created in 1999 out of concern for the many hungry and isolated people in our affluent community. According to recent reports, more than 34,000 Chester County residents are living below the level of self-sufficiency and do not always have enough to eat.  Our program works with low-income county residents and garden volunteers to plan, build, maintain and harvest community and backyard gardens, with the belief that gardening can be an inspiring and effective way to help strengthen communities while meeting basic human needs.  

During these past 12 years we have successfully organized more than 75 neighborhood-based gardening and greening endeavors with underserved communities across Chester County.  Our goal is to break the cycle of need by empowering people to have a greater hand in providing for themselves while nurturing the health and well-being of the individual, the community, and the environment.  We strive to inspire creativity, self-confidence, and civic engagement while increasing food access and security for those who need it most.

We accomplish our mission by:

• Working with low-income county residents to build, grow, and harvest fresh vegetables in gardens of their own by providing raised beds, seeds and plants, hands-on education, and a supportive network of volunteers and gardening organizations.
• Building community by encouraging neighbors to garden together, which helps to make gardening more fun and rewarding, while breaking down social barriers and creating a more resilient community.
• Encouraging sustainable, earth-friendly gardening practices in all of our projects.

Learn about our backyard gardens project.

Community Gardens of Chester County is a program of Resources for Human Development, Inc. (RHD), a non-profit organization which oversees human service programs in the greater Philadelphia area.