The PHS Community Farm at Norristown Farm
At our 3.5-acre PHS Community Farm in Montgomery County, PA, we’re growing fresh food for local families while helping more people discover the benefits of gardening.
About the PHS Community Farm
Launched in 2020, the PHS Community Farm is located within Norristown Farm Park, a 690-acre state/county park of preserved historic farmland. The PHS Community Farm is a 3.5-acre piece of land that includes a 3-acre farm, orchard and community garden, a greenhouse, a historic barn and a large pavilion with walk-in coolers. The farm operation grows produce, utilizing sustainable agriculture methods, for local food pantries, community partners as well as a “Food as Medicine” program.
Community-oriented programming and engagement with the volunteers are vital parts of the farm, which not only provide opportunities for the public to engage with their local food system, but also foster lasting relationships with the community.
Here, gardening and hands-on learning come together to make a difference in the surrounding community.
How we Grow
Healthy food starts with healthy soil. At the PHS Community Farm, we use sustainable farming practices that care for the land while growing fresh produce for our community.
At the PHS Community Farm, we use sustainable farming practices that care for the land while growing fresh produce for our community. Cover crops help replenish the soil, pollinator habitats welcome beneficial insects, and wildlife (including our resident red-tailed hawk, Dorothy, as well as a plethora of songbirds, tree frogs, foxes and toads, and thoughtful crop rotations support healthy harvests. We also use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to manage pests while limiting environmental impacts.
Through employing these strategies, our close-knit team of knowledgeable staff and dedicated volunteers grows over 20,000lbs of food annually that is distributed at no-cost to fight food insecurity in Montgomery County.
Growing Food for The Community
Food as Medicine
Food As Medicine is a growing national movement that integrates fresh, nutritious food into our understanding of health care with the aim of reducing both nutrition-related chronic diseases and food insecurity. The PHS Community Farm partners with Montgomery County and two local behavioral health clinics in Norristown and Pottstown to run an innovative Food as Medicine program that focuses on whole person care, providing weekly boxes of farm-grown vegetables to 80 participants throughout the year.
Designed for people with mental and physical health conditions who are facing food insecurity, the program offers a series of community cooking, nutrition, and gardening education classes to support and empower members to meet their health goals and utilize the fresh produce from the farm.
Fresh Food for Local Families
The farm also helps put fresh, locally grown food on more tables across Montgomery County. Working with community food pantries and local organizations, we distribute thousands of pounds of culturally relevant seasonal produce to communities and individuals experiencing food insecurity throughout the county.
Our partners include ICNA Relief, CCATE, and the Upper Merion Area Community Cupboard. We also partner with the PHS Love Where You Live program to offer fresh produce to Philadelphia residents in Nicetown Tioga.
Field Trips
Bring learning to life with a visit to the farm! School and homeschool groups can explore farming and nature through hands-on activities, including planting garlic and bug scavenger hunts in the garden.
Explore homeschool programs through Montgomery County’s official website or email us to arrange a school field trip.
Volunteer at the Farm
Get your hands in the soil, make new friends, and help fresh food grow! Volunteers play an important role at the PHS Community Farm, helping with planting, weeding, harvesting, and other seasonal projects.
Volunteer opportunities are offered throughout the year, typically on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. Look for “Norristown Farm Park Helper” on our volunteer registration page.
Workshops & Classes
There’s always something new to learn! Join PHS and local experts for hands-on workshops exploring gardening and sustainable agriculture, with topics ranging from growing culinary herbs to tractor maintenance.
