Yesterday (Tuesday, September 2nd) a friend was driving by the old Pete’s Produce AKA Fauxmer Jawn. Oodles of pumpkins were being delivered. Are they locally sourced? I mean if they were they would be from Sugartown Strawberries or something, right?
Anyway…my friend went inside and store was rather devoid of people. Here I will share some of what she wrote to me:
FJ had a shipment of pumpkins delivered and they crates are sitting in one of her “fields “. Worker was standing next to them scratching his head….As I was driving by, I saw yard signs everywhere advertising this pumpkin service. (See door tag in photo)
I went inside Fauxmer. Found this on the counter about a pumpkin service :
I should have asked the girl working except I think she is clueless although nice!!
She asked if I was looking for anything special. Told her I was first time here and just checking it out…..She said they were out of corn but would be planting more in a couple weeks ⁉️⁉️⁉️
She babbled about the peppers and some were in their refrigerator. She commented when she saw my truck pull in she thought it was Christa her boss because she has same one.
I wonder if Westtown doesn’t care if it fails and if they have plans for land since they already have solar panels sitting on part of it?
Wait, they are planting corn again now? Really? Has she magically bypassed the long season (4 to 6months?) that corn requires to grow? You know spring planting, fall harvest? And hydroponically grown is not a realistic thing for corn really is it? And if the illustrious fauxmer has corn to sell at a Philadelphia market called Point Breeze Market, why are the corn cupboards bare at her farm store???
Solar fields there at Westtown? I don’t object and sure enough I found an approval document in Westtown from October 2023, and they broke ground in January 2025:
Before the rest of my jawning questions let’s talk about Main Line Pumpkins. The guy who owns it, used to work for Jawn as “livestock manager” or something. He was interviewed after the racist graffiti story hit the media….
“Something as heinous as a swastika is not just an attack on FarmerJawn, but an attack on all of us,” declared Barfield.
In May, Barfield says their barn was hit with racist graffiti markings.
In April, they experienced vandalism and theft.
It feels deeply personal to Farmerjawn’s diverse staff.
“It felt directed towards our team, towards the owner and people who work here,” said livestock manager, Armen Caravantes who discovered the most recent vandalism last week.
“I was shocked. I was shaking,” said Caravantes. “If it’s people who actually hold these beliefs, that’s terrifying.”
(Segue time: what ever happened with that investigation? Did they put up security cmeras? )
Earlier this year Axios broke the tale of no more non-profit status for the Fauxmer. Then apparently she said she was doing non-profit on a pass through arrangement – a “fiscal sponsor” they call it. That organization is called Jubilee Gift Galaxy which has offices in Middletown, NY and Oakland, CA. I can’t really tell you much about the organization, it seems a little woo woo to me.
I will note I heard about some other staff exits this year, but what happened? Were they exited or did they leave on their own and why?
So who is the new CFO/COO of Farmer Jawn? It looks like there was a PR firm switcheroo too? Or are there now TWO PR firms? Of course I and Chester County farmers I know are still wondering how a farmer can afford PR services in the first place?
Now look, I get small and start up businesses have turnover. So don’t go there, it’s just shall we say there seems to have been quite a few exits etc since this business began as in before Westtown?
There is still Elkins Park, right? That’s 1813 Beech Avenue, Elkins Park, PA 19027. 6730 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19119 is another business currently and has been, although it still shows up on the PA Charities database as of today as the address and seriously, what does it take to change an address?
So someone today asked if she ever got the $657,000 grant from Rep. Houlahan? Ummm doesn’t appear so unless she can access the funding through the “fiscal sponsor”? Of course we all live in Trumplandia, so for that reason alone she still might not have it, right?
What prompted all these thoughts? This:
Farmerjawn Produce & Kitchen, 1225 E. Street Rd. West Chester, August 22. Pass. The facility offers prepackaged only foods. In 2024, plans were submitted for the addition of a food prep area. However, the plans were incomplete and a letter from this Department requesting additional information was sent on 10/24/24. If facility is not planning to continue with the kitchen, remove all unused equipment. If plan review is to continue, contact this Department within 30 days with the information requested in the incomplete letter. Provide thermometers to refrigerators. Food Facility Person in Charge not able to provide documentation that T.H.E. Wellness Tea is from an approved source. Product was removed from shelf. Forward source documentation to this Department. Maintain copies of supplier information on-site for Department review.
This is not the fist inspection they have had. The devil is in the details, and are they using the kitchen? Is anyone or will anyone be using the kitchen? Paperwork issues again? Kind of like the non profit status? Who is responsible for the paperwork?
Yes, I know, I know, writing about this again because I am a different race than the fauxmer will mean a new onslaught of nasty messages, comments, etc. I can’t help that my skin color is different. It is not being a racist to ask what is going on here, I would still be asking the same questions regardless of race, creed, or color. Westtown School has never said if she pays rent or what the arrangement is, have they? They don’t seem to like to talk about this, do they?
I will say for the record that is this almost 3 years later actually lived up to the hype, I would shut my mouth. But what is it besides the hype and her shameless self promotion? I know some farmers, and they aren’t this. They are hard working, without glam shots, photogs, and PR personnel. People believe in her, and that is not a criticism of those people, but I do wonder, in the end, will there be something, or will it fade away to nothing?
Is this grand plan sustainable? Time will tell because Westtown never seems to want to talk about this, but there she is on their property so why not?
Hope they move those pumpkins, because we all know deer etc love pumpkins…..
I don’t know who this person is. Her social media Facebook profile says that she’s only here to keep up with her child’s school and Facebook marketplace and likes Downingtown STEM. Yet here she is sharing the love towards me? And apparently according to her I stalk people with larger followings than mine? Really? I am not an influencer earning money on clickbait or a compensated blogger, and the whole thing about followers is pretty much always amusing to me because I don’t get it. And I will also never get that how so many people who don’t know me, have never met me, and whom I don’t care to know can take so much time to actually hate me? And while they claim I am the big old hater, it’s ok for them to hate me? Pretzel logic, my favorite kind.
This person posted the above about me because I posted about what was happening over in Westtown on the blog’s Facebook page. And I’m not going be called hypocrite or anything else by them. They need to be reminded of the following:
I shared a news item.
I did not create the news item.
I am not the architect of the crime.
I actually don’t go near the place, except to occasionally go up and down 926 which means a drive byon a public road.
I should not be an adjacent topic to the news item, and even if I have reservations about the fauxmer over at Westtown, I would never ever condone what has happened inside that historic barn. It’s wrong. It’s disgusting.
My crime as it were is I had shared the news articles about what is going on at the old Pete’s Produce, now Farmer Jawn at Westtown. My other crime is I am not a fan of what I have seen over there since the new tenant moved in.
And again, no matter how sketchy I feel in my opinion the whole successor to Pete’s Produce is, when have I ever said or thought that disgusting hate symbols, vandalism, or graffiti were ok anywhere? You can answer or not answer, as you choose. The answer is the first day of never. I’ve covered all of these topics over the years.
Of course, this woman did not unfollow my blog’s Facebook page on her own, she was removed. They all announce when they come with their criticism and their nasty thoughts that they’re going to unfollow or some actually message me and tell me to do it for them, but they never do it on their own. That is one of the funniest things about Facebook, especially. Every day, someone in some group or on someone on some page announces their departure….and then sit there and lurk.
And being outraged that anyone would do this to a historic barn on a property owned by a Quaker school makes me a hypocrite? How? That’s ridiculous.
It’s like saying you are a racist because merely as a nanny nanny boo boo retort if you say something that makes them uncomfortable in their rainbow farting unicorn bubble of a world. I find that despicable as well.
We live in this ridiculously political correctness society. All of these people expect you to listen to their perspective, chapter and verse, but if you say something that is out of the Stepford wife, category of safe topics, or if you are not a Disney mom cruise blogger, you are a baaaad person. You can even be the same political persuasion as someone but if you veer off a safe, Stepford wife topic you are a baaad person. It’s funny, except it’s also pathetic and overdone.
I am a baaaaad person here because I have questioned the authenticity of Farmer Jawn and that is my right. And that doesn’t make me a racist, either. Oh yes I am deliberately being repetitive, because the only way to get a message across with some of these essentially drooling idiots is to keep repeating yourself.
People are super accusatory just because. Not because they have anymore depth than a fruit fly or have done any research into anything. They will say someone is bad horrible nasty, pick your pejorative adjective because somebody told them that that’s what they should say. Or just because you are different from them and they can’t understand that.
Of course these are also the same people that vote every single election how someone else told them to vote, without doing any of their own research into whomever the candidate is. It’s the grand land of sheeple, and a misplaced sense of entitlement.
Like this woman today who is only on Facebook for her kid’s school and Facebook marketplace who also told me I was an embarrassment to this entire country. I just have to laugh out loud and ask who died and made her George Washington? Do they even understand that our rights as Americans is what gives us all the right to question and speak out or speak up, and more?
Now I’ve asked around in the Quaker community and people who had kids at the school who either graduated or left, and neighbors. Apparently, there are people who have been upset with the school past and present. I was reminded of the whole nastiness with turf fields, and I don’t remember how many years ago that was. Is this nasty business the work of kids who are just jackasses or adults and why? Someone in the area also told me that the school also has overnight camps during the summer? That could mean quite a bit of other than normal human activity, right?
And the hate symbols with regard to the swastikas? I have been told this symbol is used not just against people who are Jewish now like white supremacists which I had forgotten. But I am sure yet more people will surface and blame me for all of this for questioning Farmer Jawn in general, and I will REMIND them, I am not the only one who has asked questions, there have been questionable business things as in several other things seemingly failing correct? And I still think that was a big ass grant to give someone who really hasn’t demonstrated a consistent track record, and saying that has never meant that the ideas aren’t good. It’s a lot of money for someone without a proven track record. Have you ever done anything with or for a non-profit? If so you would know how hard it is to get ANY grants.
And I do have many questions about this whole thing from beginning to end. And the media reports say this happened as well in the spring and did anyone hear anything about that? Wouldn’t you have thought Westtown School would have said something? Did they not report it to the police?
If anyone knows who did this, they absolutely should come forward.
I will finish with the Inquirer article. Whatever is happening, those symbols and whatever the other racist stuff was is really disgusting and horrible. Only time will tell if this latest venture at Westtown will be a success, but were you surprised to essentially hear not much security seems to be over in that part of Westtown’s sprawling acreage? And I am not saying that is the responsibility of Farmer Jawn, Westtown’s tenant, but I am kind of thinking Westtown should have already had a lot of security in today’s world because most schools do, don’t they? I was honestly surprised.
And to the Inquirer, I feel the need to remind them that questioning this place etc., doesn’t mean all of who have are running around with paint and messing up historic barns. And people weren’t upset at the actual farm fields laying fallow in advance or organic conversion, etc., people were upset at the weeds growing all over the FRONT where the store is and THAT is an important distinction as well.
I will freely admit I am a bit salty about Farmer in the Westtown Dell’s latest post. The message is clear even if that is not actually her intent: if you aren’t with her, you’re against her. So is it you can only worship, you CANNOT raise or voice concerns about how things look (you know like the mowing issues), and you can’t say anything else? If you do, is there a shade of shade of inference none too subtly that anyone who has anything other than glowing praise and accolades is a racist?
Come on, really?
See this Instagram post from 2 days ago:
From Farmer Jawn Instagram (Public Post) 3 Days ago
So yes I wrote a post about the way the place formerly known as Pete’s Produce looked. And this was after an email blast to her followers came out. And by her I am referring to Westtown’s New Farmer in the Dell, Ms. Barfield.
That email hit a bad chord in me. I felt as if those of us expressing concern were being chided for expressing valid concerns about how everything looked. Lady, it’s called communication and that is not necessarily one and the same as an Instagram post is it?
So I wrote about it and how I felt. It’s my right is it not? I was not being racist. But I had people saying I was and messages that were vile.
So let’s back up (again.) When they first announced Ms. Barfield was the new farmer, I was welcoming with a couple of basic questions – essentially concerning the Pete’s workers who had worked that farm for in some cases, years, and would she be hiring any of them. Here verbatim is what I said at the time (December 9, 2022) :
I welcome a new farmer to continue the tradition of Pete on this land. BUT with Pete, retiring, a lot of his workers are now unemployed, so I hope since so many of them worked so hard for him for so many years that this new farmer will adopt some of his workers as hers. What I am hearing Westtown School is that might not be so?
Truthfully, I thought it was kind of cool initially when she was chosen because she was a female farmer. I did not object to the switch to organic farming, but I will still repeat what I initially said because I know organic farmers: it is a BIG process. Going organic and getting organic certification is a lot of hoops, and expensive. I also noted it doesn’t happen overnight.
These are a sampling of the 250 comments on the Instagram post that I found distasteful:
BUT I have a huge problem with the way I feel those of us out here who are essentially being told we are racists because we asked what was going on over there and can anyone understand this? That is wrong. I am not a racist and I have read through all of the 277 comments (or that was how many at last count.) Just because someone is not your race and says “hey I don’t like something happening” that is not racist. People aren’t saying because she is a black farmer or even a female farmer that she is bad or can’t do the job. They are also NOT saying she shouldn’t own farm land. Out here specifically people were referring to how run down parts of the property looked because the freaking weeds weren’t cut along the sides of the road leading into the market area. Sometimes things are just about what people say. Sometime it’s not more or bad or wrong.
People did try to have a conversation about this on this Instagram post. Like one lady said and I quote:
I find what bothers me the most is that conventional farmers such as Pete and others are made to sound as if they are horrible stewards of the earth. I wish you the best but please respect all farming practices. There’s nothing unhealthy about the soil on that farm.
One of the replies this person received was horrible. She was told she had white logic essentially and what the offensive same hell does she mean? Just like the subsequent comment to someone else asking about “your species”? I am sorry was this person an alien?
And then there are the locals who feel they have to literally suck up and say that they are so sorry everyone is so negative and change doesn’t come easily and please forgive everyone for the negativity. The negativity is primarily coming from the supporters of Farmer Jawn. And yes, I agree change doesn’t come easily. But it’s all about how the change is presented.
Let’s review: when Westtown first announced the new farmer of that land people were excited. The land would stay farmed and not become a crop of cheap plastic mushroom houses. Then it was nothing really, including the weeds which didn’t get cut for months. That made people wonder and worry, myself included. I was not racist on my comments and am not a racist but yeah I am damn straight going to react to words like raggedy. And when I have never made the race or sex of this farmer (or any other farmer) an issue, why is she saying that is why people are asking questions?
Newsflash, Ms. Barfield, people asked questions and had understandable concerns considering how well tended the land had been by the last steward of the land even if he wasn’t organic. I will note he wasn’t exactly a straight Round Up farmer, either. He was just a conventional farmer, not organic. But for what it is worth conventional farmers I know do employ a lot of organic practices even if they do not have the organic official status because of the expense of becoming certified organic. This farmer could have played this straight and allayed fears people had. But she really has not in my opinion. And that is why I am finding this Instagram you did offensive to those of us who live here.
And that is the thing of it: you are the new steward of the land but you are unknown except for your social media out here in the community you are entering into. And you have kind of been putting this combative vibe out there. It’s not warranted. Life is difficult enough at times without that. Just because I am white doesn’t make me a bad person does it? So why would you assume I judged you by the color of your skin? I didn’t. And I won’t.
Ms. Barfield. I do not have a problem with either your mission or your vision. I do still wonder if the Westtown land will be too much and too expensive for you long term, but that isn’t wishing you ill or implying you can’t do it. I am not slamming you as a female farmer of any creed or color. What I have a problem with is anyone implying folks have a racial angle if they ask questions about your Westtown farming. That will not engender good will in the community you wish to be a part of.
Farming like gardening is kind of like life, especially when you are cultivating. Because lady, people require cultivation too. I was planning to show up and support you when you announced your August 18th opening. I was happy to hear this. But then came your Raggedyness post on Instagram and those comments. Now, I will get there when I get there.
My business in particular doesn’t matter a hill of beans, and I know that, but what I am saying that may resonate, is that if we had questions or reservations at all, are we really actually welcome as potential customers?
A customer wants to feel welcomed. That’s a pretty simple tenet of customer service.
Ms. Barfield, FarmerJawn, I wish you the best, but I am never one who will mince words when something strikes me as wrong or unfair.
“I have been coming here for 30 years” said the nice man yesterday who was taking photos of the farmhouse and remaining sunflowers like me. I think Pete Flynn AKA the Pete of Pete’s has been doing his thing for about 35 years. People tell me before he was a farmer with his namesake store, he was a truck farmer.
Yup. We all have been. Now granted for me, when I first discovered Pete’s I was a Main Liner, so I didn’t get out there often, but when I did, it was magical.
Going to Pete’s has always been magical. Decent prices, friendly people, plants, tradition….community.
But the magic is ending, and the auction signs have gone up and I am just sad.
Pete Flynn has been a beacon of hope in an area being swallowed up by development and pipelines. He deserves to retire, he has worked hard. What is sad is there is no one to take up the mantle after him. Now there will be no farm attached to Westtown School, just like there is no farm attached to Church Farm School. I hope the land is not eventually developed, but I don’t hold out much hope. No one wants to farm much any longer, and those who do have had land prices and taxes driven up by wanton development. That and government doesn’t adequately support farmers on any level.
I do not know how long his website will remain, so I am sharing it now. I hope he keeps it up. I really wish this wonderful place wasn’t leaving us. Farms and farmers deserve a better deal.
Thanks for the memories and great produce, Pete. Thanks for doing something that matters.
I still don’t know what to think about the Radnor farmer. First there is the whole low rent thing in a time when Radnor Township’s finances are ummm shall we say not fabulous? And that is no dig at farmers, I support farmers. But this is a farmer farming on public land and well, that changes the landscape, right?
I did a Right to Know on the whole farmer in the dell recently, and I have to say, I still am left wondering about so much.
Now in 2013, Radnor inked a deal to buy 71 acres of Ardrossan for $11+ million. Wheeler Field, Quarry Field, Rye Field. “Everyone loves the cows” was a catchy phrase back then attributed to a commissioner then who is on Delaware County Council now, and some say has higher aspirations still. The farmer is also on two other fields nearby supposedly, correct? Not owned by Radnor Township but old Ardrossan Land?
So there is a farmer farming on the Radnor Township land. That started I guess around 2015 as per an old Patch article? In same family that worked for Hope Scott when it was Ardrossan proper, correct? Main Line Media News reported back then that residents were concerned about chemicals being used on the land. At that time, Main Line Media News quoted Commissioner Elaine Paul Schaefer (now of Delaware County Council):
“I believe a license agreement with the current farmer will be on the agenda for one of our next meetings, so we will have the opportunity to hear resident comment and discuss all the issues involved,” said Schaefer. “The current farmer has been farming the Ardrossan land for over 25 years, and his father farmed it for the generation before him. I believe that most residents would like to see this farmer continue to farm the land, as his very unique operation provides the beloved cows that beautify the landscape. As I understand it, the proposed license will require that the farmer utilize best management practices and adhere to the NCRS (Natural Resource Conservation Service) approved soil conservation plan.”~ ELAINE PAUL SCHAEFER TO MAIN LINE MEDIA NEWS 3/3/2015
So, I think it’s TRULY wonderful part of Ardrossan is still farmed, don’t misunderstand me, but well, what chemicals are being used on the fields should be an open and evolving discussion, right? Way back when Radnor inked this deal with the farmer, people urged the farmer to be as organic as possible, correct?
People started asking questions again this year. And Radnor Township is nothing sort of SUPER TOUCHY when it comes to ANYTHING Ardrossan.
So my Right to Know. I filed it, included a note saying hi to the solicitor. Solicitor got my email, Radnor open records officer apparently did NOT. I did not know any of this, and discovered it when I realized I hadn’t received an acknowledgment of any kind, rejection, response. So I filed an appeal to Open Records in Harrisburg and let Radnor know. The open records officer at Radnor was super apologetic and got what I requested together. She was very nice, no issues with her. I subsequently withdrew my appeal at the state level because that was the right thing to do.
I have been going through what I requested. Some of the records are rather hazy. I believe that is because that is how documents were given to Radnor and quite frankly, the farmer should provide clear copies for that sweetheart deal he gets to continue to farm. He might not like that opinion, but he farms on public land, and he is answerable to said public.
Now interestingly enough someone Radnor-centric said to me when I was starting this why didn’t I just go to the fields and take water/soil samples since it is public land. Ummm. Yeah. No can do. It is public land with a tenant who has a leasehold, so that would be wrong, be trespassing. I do however, think the state and county, if not the township should do routine testing.
So if you take the Quarry field, from what I was able to see on some documents which were fuzzy at best, the following products look like they were used used on Quarry Field in 2022 (Soybeans):
TORCH: manufactured by Farmalinx Pty LTD; a preemergent herbicide for annual weeds
FRONT RUNNER: manufactured by Atticus; preemergent for weeds, where crop is specifically for soybeans. Possibly acute hazard for aquatic environment?
CREDIT41 – manufactured by Keystone Pest Solutions. “Credit 41 Extra is a post-emergent, systemic herbicide with no soil residual activity. It is generally non-selective and gives broad-spectrum control of many annual weeds, perennial weeds, woody brush and trees.”
Other post-emergent chemicals used: Fome kill, Status, Turbo, Durango – all weed killers, but with minimal toxicity.
Now remember, I wrote about the chemical issues before and a resident went to the township and provided thoughtful commentary about chemicals used by the farmer in March of 2022:
Although not directly noted (as I do not know how to add the direction arrow to the Quarry Field), between the bottom of the Quarry Field and the boundaries of the Skunk Hollow Community Garden, lies the Little Darby Creek. This creek is a part of the Darby Creek system, is stocked, on an annual basis, with trout for fishing by both adults and especially children, is played in and most importantly, the endangered American Eel has been directly observed moving up through this creek and into the Willows Pond.
Thus, there are several herbicides delineated to be toxic to fish, to water invertebrates and generally to be avoided. DEVOUR, by Federal law, is NOT to be used in parks, golf courses and playgrounds – thus, as this field is Township owned, PLU, this herbicide should not be used!
Thank you…. for passing on to me the official records for herbicides applied to the Township-owned property called ‘the Quarry field’, in which the farmer….applies to the field in order to grow a good crop of Corn, that will be fed to his cattle. The records that I have received are from 2016, 2017, 2018, with the note that nothing was grown in the Quarry Field in 2020. What seems to be absent are any records for 2019 and 2021.
For purposes of review, the principal herbicides applied have been consistent across the time span, including Acuron, Princep, Warrior II, Max Supreme, Abundit Extra, Devour, LamCap II, Gramoxone.
ACURON is a Syngenta product, an herbicide for long-season re-emergent weed control and specifically for Corn. It is a restricted pesticide/herbicide, and hazardous to the applicator through skin irritation and allergic reaction. This product may damage fertility. It is a mix of chemicals, including Atrazine. “Research has liked Atrazine to birth defects and cancer in people, and even miniscule doses can chemically castrate frogs. It has been banned or is being phased out in more than 35 countries but is the second-most commonly used herbicide in the United States. “It is known as an Endocrine-disrupting pesticide. “
PRINCEP, aka Simazine, is manufactured by Syngenta, focusing on corn, to address 40 broad-leafed weeds and annual grasses. The chemical is not persistent in soil. It is a restricted -applied chemical, with applicator issues of eye irritation, and a suspected but not proven carcinogen. The MSDS sheets indicated that it is toxic to fish and other water invertebrates.
WARRIOR II – manufactured by Syngenta US. The primary use is to ‘defeat’ beetles, weevils and borers. This chemical is HIGHLY toxic to bees if directly exposed or if ‘’visiting’ flowers in bloom. P.S. Now being used to address Spotted Lanternfly.
MAXSUPREME – is a liquid activator adjuvant specifically formulated to maximize herbicide performance for the designated crop.
ABUNDIT EXTRA/EDGE – a Syngenta product, this is a pre-emergent herbicide, containing Glysophate which is formulated for ‘tolerant corn’. It has acute toxicity as an inhalant. It is noted on the USMS sheets to avoid spillage near water, as it is toxic to water organisms.
DEVOUR, manufactured by Innvictus Cone, LLC. A highly-toxic, PARAQUAT-based, not selective, broad spectrum herbicide. There are lawsuits moving through the courts to remove this chemical from use, as mis-use of this herbicide has been proven to cause at 250% increase in the disease Parkinson.
There is established FEDERAL law that the use of DEVOUR is prohibited in parks, on golf courses and playgrounds!
LAMCAP II – manufactured by Syngenta, a restricted insecticide. This chemical is extremely toxic to fish, aquatic organisms, and toxic to wildlife. Note the MSDS sheets advise to be careful to avoid wet ground, to avoid runoff into water.
GRAMOXONE SL2.0 – manufactured by Syngenta- A ‘knockdown herbicide. The active ingredient is PARAQUAT [see comments in Devour that relate to Paraquat (and Parkinsonism). Gramoxone is toxic to fish and other water invertebrates.
To accomplish this research I examined the website for each of these chemicals, focusing on the purpose, usage and any possible toxicity. Since the purchase of sections of Ardrossan by Radnor Township, resulting in an increase of acres of parkland [Public Land Use], means that the resident/owners of this land needs to be protected, as well as the wildlife that inhabits the land and waters. ~RADNOR RESIDENT 3/23/22
So this resident had come to a blogger because she felt she was not really being heard. She is a senior citizen. However when watching an EAC meeting recording in August, I noticed something somewhat terrifying to me: the citizen’s EAC was told not to discuss this topic and it made me stop and go HUH and isn’t it just bizarre? I mean it’s NO big secret that Radnor Township Commissioner Lisa Borowski (former BOC Prez and Vice Prez) has aspirations and is running for State Rep in the PA 168th, right?
So here we are. And I know some of the documents are BEYOND fuzzy, but as it was explained to me, Radnor complied with my request. A municipality produces what it has in its possession and does its best to be responsive to a request. It doesn’t enhance or detract from the quality of the record. And that is if a municipality is responsive to a request. Not all are, like West Whiteland Township, for example. But that is another conversation.
I still have concerns, but it is up to Radnor Township residents to wake up on this and many other issues. Radnor is sliding back to days people don’t want, and most sadly don’t remember, including their current commissioners who don’t know their rear ends from holes in the wall a lot of the time, let alone township history. That is my opinion, of course.
One thing that did bug me a smidge in what I got from the Right to Know was what I consider a major face palm moment via a PA DEP pesticide guy named Donald Gilbert:
Sooo I am wondering what this PA DEP chemical specialist doesn’t understand about some Radnor residents being concerned about what farmer leasing Quarry/Rye field/Wheeler Tract sprays do you? Public land that leads to Little Darby Creek,a water source, right?
And for argument’s sake, is the PA DEP on top of the golf courses he refers to as far as chemicals they use and proximity to natural water sources too? Aronomink and Overbrook? That would mean they would have to watch Thomas Run and Miles Run, right? They flow to Darby Creek according to maps? And then if you want to include another club, Radnor Valley Country Club they have the Ithan Creek running through somewhere, right? And doesn’t that new Ardrossan Wigwam community have creeks or similar too?
What is going onto the fields is important. If engineered seed is indeed used, also important. It’s important to the cows one would think, as well, right?
Now I asked other state people some questions to try to better understand things. Not a complaint, but essentially seeking clarity on how things work from a state perspective. I asked how they check up on chemicals farmers or using near streams:
All agricultural operations that land apply manure or agricultural process waste water are required to have a manure management plan or nutrient management plan. Any starter or supplemental fertilizer must be accounted for in the Manure Management Plan or Nutrient Management Plan.
If the operation is a CAO (over 2000 lb of livestock or poultry per acre available for manure application) or a large CAFO (determined by EPA’s headcount numbers in 40 CFR 122.23(b)(4)) the operation is inspected annually by the county conservation district or State Conservation Commission. If the operation is a CAFO it is inspected at least once every five years in addition to the annual inspection by the county conservation district or state conservation commission.
If the operation is in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and not a CAO or CAFO, routine inspections are conducted by the County Conservation District or DEP to determine compliance with manure management regulations.
Other inspections are carried out by DEP or county conservation districts in response to manure-related complaints.
However, I must restate that the above is the compliance strategy associated with the land application of manure, not pesticide use. Paraquat and RoundUp are pesticides. I will reiterate what is stated below:
Concerns of pesticide applications including those on public (township) lands would be addressed-by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) or by the Township. The certification of pesticide applicators and the pesticide application program is under PDA, not the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
I also support touching base with the township which may have additional considerations for township land.
~ PA DEP Bureau of Watershed Restoration and Nonpoint Source Management Agriculture Compliance Section 10/20/22
Now also interesting is I asked about Little Darby Creek. Little Darby Creek and its tributaries have a designated use of Cold-Water Fishery, Migratory Fishes. There are no Special stream protection designations such as High Quality or Exceptional Value in this area. I had previously though there was a high quality or exceptional value designation. I did read it somewhere, so I will have to consult my notes. I was grateful for the clarity.
In this recent journey for information, I coincidentally did discover there is a site the DEP used to monitor (some heating oil thing) with Facility ID 778907 Ardrossan Farm Parcel A7 – close to this same area where the fields are. It was some sort of remediation from years ago having to do with I think a heating oil spill. I found it once on this thing called emap (https://www.depgis.state.pa.us/emappa/). It’s a public tool which should be easy to use, but I find it somewhat temperamental to use.
So Radnor residents, what I learned from the state is concerns regarding pesticide applications including those on public (township) lands would be addressed-by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) or by said township. Now Radnor does have “policy” here as it is in the lease agreement the farmer operates under. The farmer is NOT required to be organic, and I will note getting an organic status is a lot of work and money. But Radnor has this verbiage in their agreement about the farmer utilizing best management practices, but it is not up to me to decide if best practices are up to snuff, etc.
I do not think Radnor Township is paying close enough attention. In my opinion in part this is because it’s Ardrossan.
But Ardrossan is like Radnor’s proverbial sacred cow. But it’s 2022 and the estate is dotted with McMansions and McMansion attitudes. Who knows what will happen to the great house some day. But those fields and that land which Radnor bought in 2013 was purchased with public funds, yes? Then Radnor Township still has a duty to the public here, yes? I think they do.
You can’t undo what has already been done with regard to herbicides and pesticides, but I think Radnor and Radnor’s farmer could go forward with perhaps a better plan? It’s publicly owned land, after all. I support farms and farmers, but I believe in farming responsibly. I see it out here in Chester County, so it’s possible. This isn’t the only farm in Delaware County, so even from that perspective Radnor Township officials could check out best practices for farmers and maybe the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau could help them? I am sure they could also consult with Natural Lands?
Whatever, am sharing what I learned for the greater good. What Radnor residents do (and Radnor Township itself) is up to them.
