Tag Archives: westtown

really? haters is the best excuse out there?

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So this post seeks clarity. Above is straight from the PA Department of State Bureau of Charities Charities Enforcement and Disciplinary Actions. You can look it up yourself. Search FarmerJawn squished together like that. Once in another life, I knew someone who in their other life was an investigator for the Bureau of Charities. This is what they do, they check things out.

See that notice above? That is when they received the letter from the IRS for tax exempt status. If you read the letter, the effective date was mid-2021.

Let that sink in. This has been for a few years. Around this time last year we woke up one day to the news that the Westtown location we knew for 30+ years as Pete’s Produce etc. on Westtown’s campus had been vandalized with hateful and disgusting graffiti.

What is interesting is this news report says that BEFORE the graffiti there had been other vandalism, but correct me if I am wrong (please) that there were no security cameras or trail cameras anywhere? I am guessing if I recall what was said somewhere after these incidents that now they do have cameras? I am glad they do because this criminal behavior is terrible, right? BUT to date these cases of graffiti and vandalism go unsolved, don’t they? And that is a great police department too (WEGO.)

https://www.phillyvoice.com/farmer-jawn-swastika-vandalism-antisemitism-west-chester

After these incidents, subsequent months featured pop up events under the theme of “Only Love Grows”. Interestingly, a lot of the events were not held in Westtown, but other places like Historic Maplewood Mall.…in Germantown.

So a lot of events are off site. She claims people have made her feel unwelcome in Chester County, so maybe one reason is her events seem more often than not elsewhere? As in other than all those lovely acres in Westtown? Take the free egg give away recently….in New York City no less?

Free eggs? New Yorkers wait in line for hours for chance at a dozen eggs

NBC4 NY FarmerJawn was giving away free eggs Friday morning at various locations in New York City By The Associated Press • Published March 21, 2025 • Updated on March 22, 2025 at 10:49 am

And her newly minted interview with desperately seeking relevance, Christina Pirello (used to have or maybe still has a TV cooking show), just days before the cease and desist thing broke interviewed her in Elkins Park. At least it looked like something was being grown on the handful of acres she “farms” over there, right?

Why not give out free eggs at the farm store she got to walk into over at Westtown? Why not show Christina Pirello Westtown too?

So first came Axios which most of us then noticed because of Vista today.

https://vista.today/2025/04/farmerjawn-cease-and-desist-register

https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/03/31/farmerjawn-nonprofit-charity-taxes-pennsylvania

Then came the Philadelphia Inquirer article. The reporter I have no issue with but she is part of features/food from what I can tell so we can assume the publicist placed this article?

Food

Part of FarmerJawn lost its nonprofit status. Founder Christa Barfield says the organization’s charitable work continues.

“We’re community-oriented every way you look at it, and no one can ever doubt that,” Barfield said.

by Jenn Ladd

Published April 3, 2025, 10:49 a.m. ET

Next the Glenside Local picked this up.

CEO/founder of FarmerJawn responds to non-profit arm’s cease-and-desist letter, Westtown Farm Store to open April 15

Next came public chatter and a fair amount of it. People all over talking about it. I wrote about it.

a new jawn and more questions, right? what does westtown school say? rodale institute? james beard?

Then comes the stunning public reel thing someone sent me:

That was sent with this screenshot to prove this was public and available for a re-mix:

Lets talk about this: if you ever question anything you are a hater or a racist, correct? And all the flurry of media? Isn’t it more like she talks when she wants something? Also there is still the whole 501(c)(3) of it all on her website and the donation link is still up:

And there is still a live GoFundMe as of the publishing of this post :

But hey, that is not active fundraising right?

And she gets defensive over her business entities being legally registered. Here they are and nice deflection, and no one said they weren’t registered:

FarmerJawn also had health department inspection issues last year. They were resolved, but they happened. So she says somewhere recently she’s letting people use the kitchen over there? I guess that means no more issues, right?

This fauxmer has gotten lots of support and money from all sorts of avenues. A James Beard award, and was briefly it seems a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier. That was for the tea company? Is she still a member?

She talks about keeping employees paid all the time? Has she really? Including all of the time in Elkins Park, as well as the stores she once had at 6730 Germantown Avenue? And what about that wellness spa Mae Bell or whatever from when was that? 2023? (And that wasn’t supposed to be at 6730 Germantown but close by?

oh what the hell…

Last May, I was attacked viciously online and off for questioning the grant of it all because among other things, the grant application had used that Germantown Avenue address and wasn’t that an odd thing as she no longer was a tenant there, correct?

so many questions….still

I and others have been labeled “haters” and “racists” for questioning this from jump. What they always neglect to mention is I have never had an issue with her purported mission.

Also of no 501(c)(3) at present why does her Linktree go to her donation page? Do they have to be called other than donations if 501(c)(3) is not active?

I support supporting local farmers of all kinds and do.

I support dealing with food insecurity issues which is why I support local food banks when I can especially in helping get the word out. So yeah, if her mission statement was more than words at this point, I would be thrilled because there are so many people in need and we live in a world where so many of us have lived on the edge of not being able to be even self supporting.

I am also a big believer in things like community gardens and I think in today’s world having what used to be called victory gardens is a good thing because face it, the US is on the precipice of disaster, which of course will cause a whole other category of haters to rise up because I said that.

I am also not only a supporter of women and minorities in farming, but horticulture as well. Why? Because they are universal things that benefit us all as human beings, right?

I am wondering if the Westtown ought to consider at this point getting a real farmer, not merely a person who checks idealistic or ideological boxes on those acres? The other conversation now should maybe be in the landowner’s failure to supervise and the land’s future? Westtown has not said much of ANYTHING since they approved her to lease the land, have they? So we don’t actually know what they are thinking and how they feel, correct? Can we trust Westtown to keep these acres farmed in perpetuity? Aren’t there still other farmers interested?

And let’s talk about getting the organic status. I have no issue with that and neither does anyone I have ever spoken with. The only detractor is it is honestly expensive to accomplish this. BUT one thing I have never understood is why she didn’t really plant anything much the past couple of years in Westtown? I asked farmers (including female) who told me the land at Pete’s was in good shape and and apparently you can farm land going organic but you can’t sell the produce those years as organic so why didn’t she plant more? And last year (2024) as per a 2023 Daily Local article, 63 acres was supposed to be planted? Did that happen?

FarmerJawn Agriculture is bringing organic farming to the 128-acre Westtown School property at 1225 E. Street Road, along Route 926, where farmer Pete Flynn once grew crops.

For the current growing season, FarmerJawn, more precisely CEO Christa Barfield, is farming two acres, and stewarding most of the school’s farmland. She is letting most of the land sit fallow, for this, her first growing season.

FarmerJawn will only raise crops organically. For fruits, vegetable and herbs to be certified organic by the USDA, the land must be chemical free for three years.

FarmerJawn has big plans for 2024; Barfield intends to grow and harvest on 63 acres. Although the crops won’t be certified organic by the USDA, the harvest will be chemical free.

~https://www.dailylocal.com/2023/10/27/farmerjawn-organic-offerings-growing-at-westtown-school/

During a 2022 Daily Local article it was stated:

Effective Jan. 1, organic farming is coming to Westtown School.

The Quaker pre-K-12, coed, day and boarding school has tapped Philadelphia’s Christa Barfield to farm 123 acres of the school’s 600 acres. She will farm organically, through an unconventional model.

Barfield is replacing long-time Westtown farmer Pete Flynn who retired in October.

How many of those objectives have been met? Again, where is Westtown School on this?

And again, for the record, what she claimed she wanted to do here is NOT a bad thing, but what has she actually accomplished vis-à-vis FARMING? Where is the food coming from that she sells and doesn’t grow? Pete and other markets will tell you who they bought apples from etc.

The problem is there has been a lot of talk and a lot of plans and a lot of spin courtesy of a publicist but what is going on? Other than events etc. off site from 1225 E. Street Road? Have all five acres on that Elkins estate been consistently farmed?

https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/christa-barfield-philadelphia

And the media flurry this time? She ranges between influencer behavior and hiding, but can it be she simply likes to control the narrative which is human?

Now in 2022, she was eligible for a $50,000 grant by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture for Urban Infrastructure for Agriculture. That was a reimbursement grant so did she get that money in the end?

In an interview in 2024 for an online thing called technical.ly she talked about irrigation troubles in Westtown among lots of other things.

So the thing about Pete Flynn from Pete’s Produce? Did that actually happen? Now being new to Chester County can be hard for anyone, not just because of race. Being new in any community once you hit a certain age is hard. But it doesn’t sound like the Pete Flynn most talk about does it?

And that whole thing about the landlord issues in Elkins Park where she once had greenhouses?

There’s a New Dawn for FarmerJawn

So according to Resolve Philly (article embedded above):

Things are looking up for Christa Barfield, owner of Farmer Jawn Agriculture, who faced many hardships this past year. In April, Barfield made a big decision to move out of her old space in Elkins Park after facing landlord problems and the destruction of her crops.  One month ago, she launched a new crowdfunding campaign to move the organization onto the Elkins Estate.

“I’m not interested in a farm that’s over an hour away from Philadelphia,” says Barfield, about the importance of the location. “I want it to be accessible, simple, and easy for people to go.”At 1760 Ashbourne Road, the Elkins Estate is a three-minute drive and a 12-minute walk from the Philadelphia borderline on Cheltenham Avenue.

Mmmmkay so if she didn’t want to be on a farm over an hour away from Philadelphia, she comes to Westtown?

Philadelphia Eater had an article in 2021 about the whole greenhouse thing and move to the Elkins Estate:

FarmerJawn’s Christa Barfield Left Her Philly Elkins Park Greenhouses. Where Will She Go Next? – Eater Philly

Ok that I can maybe comprehend. A bad landlord and not prepared? That is a learning curve. But then the store at 6730 Germantown Avenue? Poof? It’s gone and what about the tea business? And the garden supply store that next went into 6730 Germantown Ave? And then the spa thing close by that was talked about?

Grid Philly did a big article in 2022 that also filled in more blanks:

154 March 2022/All Topics/Community/Farming/Food

FarmerJawn is breaking new ground with dirt, grit and optimism

by Nic Esposito
February 28, 2022

You can read the whole article on their website. So look, I get that setbacks happen etc., but maybe the reality is that this is a woman who talks a good game and has good ideas, but really can’t execute them?

Too much too soon?

in 2023 PA Eats did a profile:

2023 is Going to Be a Huge Year for FarmerJawn
by Emily Kovach

OK so Westtown chose her for 123 acres when she had been farming less than 5 years?

No words.

So this is kind of a messed up thing with messy problems, right?

So maybe every time she opens her mouth she shouldn’t essentially intimate that if you aren’t like her, you’re bad?

So maybe any time people question what’s going on, she shouldn’t obliquely or overtly play the race card or the sexism card?

So maybe she just doesn’t have the experience plain and simple?

We can have great ideas but in life you can’t always fake it until you make it.

Fox 29 covered her again at the end of February. Here’s a snippet:

To hear the whole interview: https://www.fox29.com/video/1600231

She gets good press. She should, as again she is that rare bird who calls herself a farmer and has a publicist. But the proof is in the pudding. Maybe it’s time to tell the truth and shame the devil as some old people I once knew used to say?

There are just too many questions. And they can’t all be fobbed off as comments from haters, correct?

What will be the future at Westtown?

Will Westtown ever talk about it?

Right now this is all still something I am skeptical of. And after going through her placed media coverage for the past couple of years, a lot of the issues at a minimum come down to a lack of experience. Some will say how can you get experience except to dive right in? Ok right, except we’re talking how many acres of land mostly in Westtown? Perhaps it’s just too much?

It’s time for straight answers. If she doesn’t she runs the risk of hurting the goals she claims to have and the people, all of the people. who are trying to support her.

Will FarmerJawn survive? Will FarmerJawn survive in Westtown? Is this all still too much the Emperor’s New Clothes?

Time will tell.

Sign me, still not a believer and I am allowed. And no, I still have no desire to meet her. Her interviews, when granted, speak volumes. I will however still support local farmers as I always have done. I believe in that. And I also actually love being in Chester County.

Have a good night.

it’s about shiloh in westtown

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I used to write about this cemetery from time to time. Mostly blips on the blog’s Facebook page. I wrote about Shiloh on this website in May of 2024:

the fight for shiloh

Shiloh is a church that no longer exists….but there are still black civil war soldiers and others buried on what is now private property. I just do not understand why the property owner wouldn’t allow for the dead to rest properly. It was one of those places where I was told headstones disappeared over time. The church itself closed in the 1920s and then around 1960 the land was first (?) sold and the church razed and graves too. I remember when I first found out about it. I have always wondered if any headstones are under the earth over there? But again it is PRIVATE property so you can’t go wander.

Anyway there is a group – Friends of Shiloh AME and they need the help of the public to find descendants of the old souls buried there.

Can you help?

Help Us Find DescendantsDownload
echoes-of-shilohDownload

Shiloh predates Ebenezer – it’s so historically important.

Here is the find a grave link:

https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2390668/shiloh-african-methodist-episcopal-cemetery

If one of your people over time was laid to rest here kindly email Shilohamefriends@gmail.com

What is really truly sad? There are lots of babies and little buried here. Not just adults. Not just at least 12 black civil war soldiers.

Solutions sought for black soldiers’ final resting place
Really old article. This has been going on for years

Here’s the property ownership. It says the owners live up in the York area? So who lives there? It’s two separate parcels, same owner. Guy with same name in Shrewsberry Township in York County PA is on the Agricultural Review Committee and someone with the same name own an unassuming cute little house in Cape May NJ too?

The property sits on some historic list for Westtown.

West Goshen is across the road from part of this property and on the West Goshen website I found this written by Stephen Lyons:

[ARCHIVED] Shiloh and the Beloved Community

A Little Black Church, Bayard Rustin and the Bird in Hand.
(Part I in a series of stories highlighting Black History in our Community)
-Written by Stephen Lyons West Goshen Historic Commission

When you stand at the intersection of an old stone wall built by Scots-Irish and a road called “Daisy Lane” in the place known as “Falcon Crest” you can almost hear a whisper among the pin oak through the valley…‘Shiloh’. It is Biblical word which almost sounds like a prayer. I remember as a young boy about 5 or 6 climbing that stone wall and a breathtaking vista of a golden meadow on what was Forsythe land in the 19th Century.  Just over the hill in Westtown Township at the intersection of Shiloh and Little Shiloh Rd. a historic black community once thrived for 100 years and a little black church known as Shiloh African Methodist Episcopal Church and Cemetery. While this Historic Church and Cemetery lies within Westtown Township members of this Black Community lived and worked in West Goshen. Shiloh Church was built of simple Brown Fieldstone in 1807, for the White Methodist church and deeded to the AME Church in 1817. It is believed to be one of the first, possibly the first ‘connection’ Churches established after the famous Mother Bethel in Philadelphia was officially organized in 1816 by Rev Richard Allen and Absalom Jones. Famous Preachers such as Rev Jarena Lee and Rev Henry McNeil Turner preached here. There were Grand ‘Meetings in the Woods’ held within West Goshen, oftentimes including both Blacks and Whites. There are 140 Graves within this ½ acre parcel of Earth including 15 United States Colored Troops. The sad reality is this hallowed Ground has been desecrated for generations by neglectful property owners who attempted to erase this Hallowed Ground by demolishing the remains of the Church and removing the headstones left to disappear within the weeds of time hoping that Townships and communities would forget.

A Group of concerned citizens have not forgotten and will not forget…

On May 25, 2024 in front of the old Courthouse in West Chester, the Friends of Shiloh AME Church and Cemetery sought to honor and bring recognition to the 15 USCT Veterans buried at Shiloh. On that extraordinary day commemorating Decoration Day the precursor to Memorial Day highlighted the Veterans buried there and to draw attention to the enormous Historical importance of this forgotten space. It was likely the first time in 100 years that any kind of formal recognition had taken place for these Veterans. Isaac J. Winters was one of the 15 United States Colored Troops buried at Shiloh. He was the Church Sexton for some 60 years. He lived across the Street in West Goshen Township and operated a Station on the Underground Railroad out of the Church basement and in his home. Many of the families of Shiloh also worked at the Westtown School for generations. There are multiple threads to this History.

I don’t understand why the property owner won’t allow the graveyard to be cleaned up. According to Find A Grave there are 156 records. So that is at least 156 people. It just seems eternally cruel somehow. Maybe the property owner will change his mind. I sure hope so. It’s not his fault the land was cleared, etc as that was prior to the current ownership. But a great legacy for this small bit of land would be to restore it sort of. You will never get all the headstones back, but maybe some sort of memorial might rise in the future? Well we can all dream of that, right?

https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/memorial-day-black-civil-war-veterans-cemeteries-shiloh-ame-church-westtown-20240517.html

Here is the list of the inhabitants of what was once a cemetery:

Memorials in Shiloh African Methodist Episcopal Cemetery – Find a GraveDownload

I have no idea who will read this or who will care. But people should. And I wish the property owner would. Anyway, there is nothing to be done with that for now, so if you have an ancestor on the graves list, let Friends of Shiloh know please.

the fight for shiloh

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It has been a long, long time since I wrote about Shiloh. Shiloh is a sad story: a cemetery where the headstones and remains of an extraordinarily important AME church were bulldozed away in Westtown because a former property owner wanted to. But all the souls and remains of the dead are still there. The current property owner is also seemingly uninterested in the history and the languishing dead in now unmarked graves, which is sad.

Today between 11 AM and 1 PM on the steps of the old Chester County Courthouse at 21 West Market Street there is a ceremony to honor the 14 AME soldiers still on site at what use to be Shiloh AME in Westtown. It’s funny, I mentioned to an advocate for this site that this would be the perfect location a few weeks ago to get attention to the history languishing.

You are invited!  Please Share.The Forgotten USCTs of Shiloh AME Church & Cemetery:  A Day of Honor and Memory 

Saturday, May 25, 2024,  11AM – 1 PM

In front of the Historic Chester County Courthouse

21 West Market Street

West Chester, PA 19380

FREE – Open to the Public!

Presented by the Friends of Shiloh AME Church and Cemetery

Featuring:

o   Rev. Dr. Richelle Forman Gunter, Associate Minister

St. Paul’s Baptist Church, West Chester

o  Speaker – Dr. Cheryl Renée Gooch, author of

Hinsonville’s Heroes: Black Civil War Soldiers of Chester County, Pennsylvania

o    Robert Ford USCT 54th Massachusetts Co. B, Reenactor

o   Speaker – Dr. Tonya Thames Taylor, Professor of History West Chester University

o  Representative Headstones of 14 United States Colored Troops (USCTs) 

Buried at Shiloh

o  Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

More Information Attached:

–   Shiloh AME brochure 

–   Inquirer Op-Ed, Friday, May 17, 2024, 

“Black Civil War veterans in an abandoned Chester County cemetery deserve a memorial”

JOIN US!

shilohAMEfriends@gmail.com

It’s hallowed ground treated in the most unhallowed way. This happens far too often. Could this space be saved and properly remembered? Yes, but the current property owner doesn’t want people on his property. It’s sad but that is his choice.

It just gives you pause. There are 140 graves that never moved when the church closed in the 1920s and a subsequent but not current owner bulldozed the crumbling remains of the church built in 1817 was bulldozed in the 1960s. Think about it, the AME Church was only about 23 years old when this was built and slavery was not yet abolished. This is truly one of the earliest AME sites in the same state where the AME church was founded by Richard Allen in Philadelphia. This site pre-dates Ebenezer in Frazer on Bacton Hill Rd.

I tried to write about Shiloh in 2016 when I was told that there was going to be a cleanup of the site. I was invited to it. Yet when I wrote a post people freaked out. So I killed the post and haven’t said boo since.

Only ONE grave survived thanks to a neighbor.

These hallowed grounds matter. People’s ancestors are buried there. Here’s hoping Westtown can get the property owner to come around.

My photo from a Westtown Day either 2016 or 2017 at Oakbourne.
Solutions sought for black soldiers’ final resting place

Also see :

Click to access echoes-of-shiloh-ame-church-westtown-pa.pdf

Here is the Op Ed from the Inquirer from May 17

https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/memorial-day-black-civil-war-veterans-cemeteries-shiloh-ame-church-westtown-20240517.html

so many questions….still

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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.

funding? no funding? who keeps tabs on funding if granted?

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So Farmer in the Dell over at Westtown where it used to be Pete’s is applying for federal and possibly other grants?

https://houlahan.house.gov/priorities/community-project-funding.htm

Hey grants are there to be applied for. But is this barn project that will be completed while the fields lay fallow and there is limited farming, because the place is not technically certified organic yet?

And if Farmer Jawn no longer has a business at 6730 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19119 how can the Farmer Jawn Friends and Foundation Fund have this as an address? And because Westtown technically owns the land and the structures she is leasing, should they be the ones in fact applying for these grants?

I followed the link to the list of applications on Congresswoman Houlahan’s site, and this is what I saw

So, technically Farmer Jawn is a tenant on this land. Again, Westtown School owns it. I was unable to find any information about this on Westtown’s site. Maybe I am looking in the wrong place?

I am not saying that this would be a bad idea or project AT ALL. What I AM saying is that there are a lot of questions and loose ends surrounding the Farmer Jawn of it all aren’t there? This is a lot of money and it’s taxpayer money, we are taxpayers, so when you’re dealing with someone who doesn’t seem particularly transparent about things, it makes it hard to get behind things doesn’t it? (And yes, that is an opinion and yes that is allowed.)

The Daily Local reported on this grant project, but I didn’t see that Farmer Jawn received a grant.

I will be curious as to how this all pans out.

Dean, Houlahan announce federal funding for local projects

Chester County

• $977,573 for Ann’s Heart, 35 Hall St., Phoenixville, Purchase of Campus.

The funding would be used for the acquisition of the campus that they currently lease. The project will ensure the location continues as a hub for supportive services such as housing case management, an emergency shelter, and a commercial kitchen for food preparation and distribution.

• $117,000 for Phoenixville Police Department, Law Enforcement 21st Century Policing Initiative.

still not fan girl of chesco jawning so stop asking

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One of the things people always send me are things having to do with this “Farmer Jawn.” I thought I should set the record straight and say I am still not buying what she is selling, so kindly stop asking. She loves her socials so I am not breaking any rules by sharing screenshots. Everything I have screenshot is PUBLIC.

And I think this is still like the Emperor’s New Clothes at Westtown. I think this is smoke and mirrors and I also think eventually I will be able to say I told you so.

And she can sit up there in her domicile now in West Chester or wherever she lives and call me whatever pejorative term she wishes or say whatever she likes. I am entitled to my opinion until this woman proves me wrong, my opinion stands.

Text received today

I don’t hate this person, I don’t know this person, I don’t want to know this person. This is solely my opinion on what I have seen to date and that includes going back to Philadelphia and where is the actual business there these days?

The Constitution of this country, and the First Amendment allow me to have my opinion. My opinion is not based on race.

I don’t judge farmers by race, creed, or color. I will note that farmers in Chester County PA come in all shapes, sizes, nationalities, colors, and sexes. Farmers work hard. Farmers deserve respect.

But Fauxmers are something else entirely. If this woman proves me wrong I will own it. But thus far? She’s sadly proving me right it seems?

So I have to ask is it true last year when the mowing finally got done to cut the weeds, it was actually done by some Westtown School employees in part? Is The Westtown School paying her to farm? is she paying The Westtown School rent? How is the rent calculated / covered while the land lies fallow pending the organic of it all?

Why does The Westtown School not seem to ever answer any of these questions? Is The Westtown School setting her up to fail so they can just sell the land for development down the road?

The Westtown School has a “Dean of Communications” named Anne Burns. She never answers her phone. Her email is anne.burns@westtown.edu

And yes, I’m probably stating things that people aren’t comfortable with saying out loud and asking questions that people aren’t also comfortable with. But I’m genuinely curious because I’ve been out here in Chester County for a while now and I have never met farmers with the glam photos on farm equipment, and PR wizards, have you? Is this a new Bravo show waiting to happen?

So she can pose for photos with Governor Josh Shapiro and she can say she’s going to grow 1,000,000 pounds of food. But in the end, what will actually happen and why is her nonprofit registered to an address in Philadelphia where she doesn’t seem to have a business any longer? Why is her non-profit information incomplete on the PA Bureau of Charities website?

So I have not to date changed my opinion. Again, hopefully she will prove my suspicions wrong. But realistically I don’t know if that will happen.

oh what the hell…

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Ma Belle? No that’s not it…it’s Mae Belle. That’s it.

It’s a new Jawn with a move out at 6730 Germantown Ave and possibly a move next door to 6732?

Ok come on, line up now and get it out of your system. I am terribly horrible for writing about this, but it’s out there and fascinating. Nothing privileged. Above is the former site of Farmer Jawn Greenery in Mt. Airy on 6730 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia PA 19119 which is now CLOSED and for rent. Only they say she opened something else next door as in immediate right of where she was? ( I found a website too.)

Even Google marks it closed:

So….the Farmer in the Westtown Dell gave an interview to The Daily Local Last week.

Now this was a rather interesting article because it’s obvious the subject, Farmer Jawn herself was dancing, not substantively answering some questions. Like…where the article says:

The farm store is up and running, with more than a 100 different items to choose from. Farmer Jawn said everything offered is local and comes from no farther than 2 hours away.

Ok translation please? I think the reporter asked where the food is coming from because obviously she isn’t growing it, but if she still has the Elkins Park location for real, why not? Other markets, and not just the way Pete’s was, will tell the customer WHERE THE FOOD CAME FROM. This is a sketch at best answer IMHO

For more information, go to farmerjawnphilly.com

Another dodge ball response, the website says essentially NOTHING or regurgitates what is past, past, past. Or has broken links.

Every backyard gardener is familiar with weeds….Barfield said farmers don’t have to look at weeds as the enemy. She noted that weeds retain water in the soil, can provide shade, keep plants cool in summer and deter deer from eating the crops.

Ummm. Yeah. Fairly accomplished gardener here. Weeds take up what viable crops and garden plants need for survival…which is why personally I pull them. Except for poison ivy/oak/sumac as I have that removed chemical free. And weeds deter deer? Good lord city girl, have you met the deer in Chester County yet? (This was a very tooth fairy response I think.)

Next growing season, rye, barley, and buckwheat will grow on 20 acres for a local malt house. Barfield said that all ingredients in the beer from beginning to end will be created by Blacks.

So will madam actually be growing her own honey as well? Wasn’t sure where last honey originated from and was not a fan and yes I tried and tossed a jar of it out. It was in a basket I won as a silent auction item for a non-profit fundraiser.

And can we talk about the whole recurring message elephant in the room and on the fields of the farms which is to be other than a black farmer is a bad farmer? Sorry not sorry, that bothers me. And because I am white, I am not supposed to ask that and will I be once again called a racist for asking why only one type of farmer is a good farmer? Why if I personally don’t take others to task over the color of their skin or nationality or religion and more am I supposed to apologize or feel bad because all of my ancestors are Caucasian?

Comments from last week/weekend:

So as a related aside how does Farmer Jawn like living in West Chester Borough since that is where she is living supposedly? It’s a cute town, I hope she and her family are enjoying it and I say that honestly, without edge.

And I will state (again) for the record that I have zero issue with her stated mission. It just seems like for someone who so lived their life out loud and has done, that we have so many questions about the business of her business.

Let’s chat this other new Mae Bell biz and how will that work with what? Two farms? One in Westtown and one in Elkins Park at 1760 Ashbourne Road or wherever? That’s a lot on one plate, isn’t it? And what about the non profit?

So, she’s part of our community and still in Philadelphia? Sign me still waiting to see how this all works out. And what is the address of her charity etc. now that she is no longer actually at her old location given the empty and forlorn look and for rent sign?

(Cue the attack rats and keyboard warriors.)

if this is mt. airy what can chester county expect in westtown ? still jawn curious, aren’t you?

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Does this look like a thriving business to you? What’s going on with the Jawn of it all in Mt. Airy?

And the website has kinda changed too:

https://www.farmerjawnphilly.com/

Now I was sent the photos of the Mt. Airy location today, Tuesday. If the CSA pick up is on Thursday, are those leftover vegetables and have they been sitting there since then? Blech if true, and does that attract vermin ?

Also rather ironic but I actually have a jar of the lavender honey she sells. On the website it says “Raw Unfiltered Honey sourced from a local apiary company.” Yes, so how do you know that’s true? If you were doing your honey in a partnership with local beekeepers, wouldn’t you tell people where the honey was actually coming from?

I didn’t like the honey at all and I am tossing it. And it’s sold for $12 a jar on the website and it is the tiniest little jar. I love honey, and I buy local honey, but I know where it comes from as in where the hives are located and where the honey is actually processed. Thanks I will stick with Chester County grown and produced honey. Besides local honey is great for allergies.

And speaking of how much things cost one of my readers had left a comment somewhere on this blog about going to visit and finding the hours inconsistent (being kind) in Westtown, and that peaches were $2.00 each?! Were they flecked with gold leaf?

No, I have not gone over to visit in Westtown. I don’t really have any desire to. Maybe as time goes by that will change but for my asking questions, I received vile comments from her supporters and somebody who condones bad behavior like that I’m not going to run out and support, are you?

And something that I keep wondering about is it keeps talking about she’s in this agreement with Westtown but what’s the agreement exactly? How much does she rent the land for? I’m asking because I legitimately don’t know and I have no idea how much it was for the prior farmer Pete all those years. if the land lays follow for three years to become organic, did Westtown offer a period of rental abatement?

And if she’s all down with helping alleviate food insecurity in communities, she is now in Chester County correct? It would be nice if she participated where her business is. Chester County Food Bank, The Lord’s Pantry, People’s Pantry, etc.

Well, that’s it.

Sign me still Jawn Curious 👀.

things that matter: saying goodbye to pete’s produce

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“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.

https://www.petesproducefarm.com/history/

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.

westtown: the vote on crebilly should be a simple decision.

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With election season here, it means two more lawn signs in Westtown Township, Chester County. It means a vote “YES” to save Crebilly sign. Sadly it also means a vote “NO” to save Crebilly sign.

I have been keeping my mouth shut but I think now is the time to say something. There isn’t much time to make the right decision here.

The folks who want a “YES” vote have it right. This is a unique opportunity it’s not just a couple of acres, it’s a lot of acres. It’s a lot of open space. Its a lot of open space that nods to agricultural tradition and the equine culture that literally made Chester County. It’s also a lot of open space with serious historic importance.

Voting “YES” to save Crebilly won’t come around again. In the short term, does it mean you get to pay a little more as a resident in taxes? Yes it does. But tax increases for land purchases such as this have a sunset date, don’t they? They don’t last forever, do they?

Land is not free. Could the Robinson family just donate the whole kit and kaboodle like the Haas family did with Stoneleigh? Maybe they could, but I don’t think they ever would. I think this is the best deal that residents are going to get who want this land parcel saved in perpetuity.

People have worked for years to get everything to this point. A critical point in the history of Westtown Township. And that’s where the naysayers come in. The naysayers claim to be fiscal conservatives, but I think they just want a free lunch. I think they’re being selfish. Yes it’s a hard time to ask people to dig deeper and pay a little bit more each year and taxes. But it’s not forever.

If the naysayers get their way and push through the “NO” vote and Crebilly is NOT saved, in my humble opinion they should be shunned, yes a good old-fashioned Amish shunning.

Why?

It’s pretty simple and no one should have to spell it out for you. If Westtown does not get a “YES” vote, the development Russian Roulette will start again and this time? The neighbors of Crebilly, the concerned residents of Westtown, and essentially anyone in the area will be screwed in perpetuity. The open space will be gone, the roads will be more clogged, the infrastructure will be stressed unbelievably, and let’s talk about the West Chester Area School District because what do you think it means to get a huge development on Crebilly to that district?

So that’s the choice that is before you residence of Westtown Township. Do you vote “YES” and have something in perpetuity that you, your neighbors, your friends, your children and your children’s children can love and enjoy and be proud of OR do you end up looking like an over developed section of Delaware County or Bensalem or King of Prussia that everyone hates?

Vote “YES” residents of Westtown. Tune out the selfish naysayers who don’t, can’t, or won’t understand. If they don’t like it, they can move, right? It’s a desirable municipality to live in, after all.

Vote “YES” to #SAVECREBILLY . It’s the ultimate act of community.