Ruth Bennett Community Farm is an educational farm and environmental center currently managed by Natania Schaumburg. Recognizing the need for greater food security and environmental health over the past decade, the Chester Housing Authority (CHA) created a two-acre community farm on vacant land at the Ruth L. Bennett Homes.We are dedicated to improving access to nutrient-dense foods at affordable prices to Chester residents. We seek to promote a thriving and diverse environmental ecosystem for community members to enjoy. Almost half of what we grow at our farm is flowers, and we provide cut flower production training to beginning farmer training participants in Philadelphia.Why support pesticide-free flowers?While many consumers value organic produce for health and environmental benefits, they might not realize the importance of buying chemical-free flowers as well. Many flowers are imported from other countries and are doused in toxic chemicals to prevent against pests and disease, as well as preserve flowers during shipping overseas. These chemical pesticides harm workers and kill pollinators. In addition, chemical residue remains even as the flowers sit on your table.By contrast, local flowers that are grown without pesticides greatly contribute to the local ecosystem. At Ruth Bennett Community Farm, we’re proud that our pesticide-free flowers attract a host of pollinators, like bees, butterflies, and birds. They also help beautify their urban surroundings. And they just make us happy.