Sigh…I am really conflicted about posting this. What “seeds” or what kind of seeds are being planted exactly?

One is because I know all of the horrible comments which will be directed towards me which is total BS anyway. Questioning this does not make me a racist but it does make you wonder if I would be so judged if the color of my skin was different? There I just said it. It has to be said because if this person looked exactly like me I would still be asking the same questions.

Secondly, because I actually like U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan and will be voting for her like I have since I first met her a few years ago. BUT this HAS to be looked at.

I found comments on Chrissy Houlahan‘s Facebook page that I’ve taken screenshots of because it PROVES people have concerns and questions doesn’t it? A lot of you always wish to lay this at my feet and call me horrible names and I feel the need to point out LOTS of people are concerned aren’t they? And then there are questions on FJ Instagram and if you deviate from the “message” the sycophants rear up and it always gets ugly fast and the fauxmer does nothing to ask for civility does she?

Farmers in Chester County are up in arms about this ridiculously large grant ($657,000) given to a FAUXMER with a track record NOT of fabulous crops and farming practices but for grand plans that are a lot of buzz words, glam shots, and PUBLICISTS and what farmers do you know who have publicists? Most of the farmers I know are trying to figure out how to make their money last until their crops come in and make improvements on their farm and survive. They work from before dawn to well past dusk don’t they?

But the other thing is this is $657,000 of taxpayer dollars and this person is NOT someone who has proven they can do anything other than talk a good game or do I have this all wrong? Shouldn’t you need a proven track record for this kind of money?

And can we talk about the grant application which has an address of 6730 Germantown Ave Philadelphia PA 19119. That is no longer a place that Farmer Jawn has a leasehold on and it has been quite a while. The business now there is NOT affiliated with her or the Farmer Jawn and Friends Foundation Fund or any of her gigs – no store, no tea, no honey, no food no nothing.

I don’t understand how an application could be sent to Washington DC without viable addresses. And I also don’t understand why Westtown School didn’t apply for the grant because they actually own the property and isn’t that ODD ? Usually if your information isn’t 100% stand-up on an application for something like this you get rejected right? So what’s with the special treatment?

📌 “We are incredibly grateful to Representative Chrissy Houlahan for her unwavering support and successful advocacy in securing a federal grant of $657,000 for FarmerJawn. This generous funding will enable us to renovate our aging barn and incorporate hydroponic facilities, allowing us to expand our mission of teaching essential agricultural skills and entrepreneurship qualities to the Chester County community. With this investment, FarmerJawn will continue to thrive as a vital contributor to the local agricultural landscape, offering innovative, sustainable solutions and opportunities for continued growth,” said Brandon Ritter, COO of FarmerJawn.📌

So wait, who is this person?

Where are the form 990s? Why is the entry on PA’s Charity site still incomplete? They got non-profit status in like 2022 right? So there are employees?

This grant recipient has had all these ideas and plans, a lot of which I HONESTLY think are great but where is the execution? The inclusiveness? And the great James Beard Foundation gave her an award? For what? And again how many farmers do you know with pricy publicists?

What about the Germantown Avenue store folded and what happened to the supposed spa that was supposed to happen down the street a couple of doors from 6730 Germantown Avenue? Mae Belle or whatever?

Where is the tea business? Where is honey that no one really knows where it originated from but did know it was not very good? And what’s with the Elkins Park Farm?

Back to the grant. So it’s supposed to be for the barn and hydroponics right? I think that’s a great idea and I love being able to get a good hydroponic organic vegetables in the middle of winter, but this is someone who doesn’t have any or much experience with this, do they? And then there is this chatter that now the grant is about workforce development? Is that true and if so, is that kind of a bait and switch? And Westtown owns the property so why didn’t they apply for the grant? Why is Westtown so silent on everything having to do with this person since they gave her access to the land? Is it landlord’s regret? Does she pay rent? If she pays rent how much rent does she pay and is rent deferred while the land lies fallow? Who were the other people who applied to be the farmer there?

And then the comment on Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan‘s Facebook page about vendors not being paid? And the screenshot the author of the comment leaves shows someone who works for George Didden Greenhouse? Is that true? That’s terrible if so isn’t it? Is she square with all other vendors past and present?

And then there are the people who like to say well why doesn’t somebody just talk to her? Have you seen what happens when anybody tries to talk to her? There’s regurgitated self promotion and dodge ball and a publicist but where are straightforward simple answers? The other thing is does she make everyone feel welcome?

And also Chester County does actually have minority and female farmers so where is THEIR recognition? I guess the difference is they just practice their craft with diligence and little faux fanfare, right?

The whole Farmer Jawn COULD be a great thing BUT what will actually happen and until Westtown is certified organic WHERE specifically will things be coming from?

So many questions…and it has never been just me asking… The Farmers of Chester County deserve our best. That’s all I am saying. And if Farmer Jawn wants to be counted among their numbers, then she needs to be more accepting and respectful of those who came before her and who have existed before her and work hard every day. and she needs to start being straight with people not just giving soundbites and cute pictures on tractors.

Soooo…. She took over Pete’s produce in 2023 as a lease with Westtown and it was announced late 2022. It takes 3 or 4 years for land to lay fallow before you can get organic certification right? So where will all of this food / produce coming from? I didn’t think where she leased in Elkins Park/Cheltenham was big enough or viable enough to produce everything?

And like I have said ALL ALONG if she ends up farmer legit, I will be honestly thrilled but right now I think the outlook is still shady.

My opinions are bought to you courtesy of the First Amendment.