Margaret Lilley, farm manager, leads a tour of Red Hill Farm.

Just a stone’s throw away from the Neumann University campus lies Red Hill Farm, six acres of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), one of the many environmental initiatives started by the Sister of Saint Francis of Philadelphia. The farm is also a place for Neumann University students to volunteer.

CSA allows community members to connect with a local farm and support their local food economy. Members purchase a farm share and in return receive a weekly supply of fresh produce picked at the peak of ripeness and flavor for the duration of the growing season. Red Hill Farm offers over 30 types of mixed vegetables and a wide array of U-Pick crops, including berries, cut flowers, and herbs.

As a celebration for Earth Day last month, Neumann University students and staff were given a tour of the farm which has been in existence for 16 years. Members of the University’s SEA Club (Students for Environmental Awareness) were on the tour and seemed eager to get involved.

“I absolutely loved Red Hill Farm and the mission/vision they have. I really believe in being a good steward of the earth that was created for us by God, and I think that this is something that the members of Red Hill Farm believe as well,” said Neumann sophomore Julia Berster.

Through Red Hill Farm the sisters strive to be good stewards of the land by using sustainable farming practices.  They believe healthy soils are integral to healthy food and healthy people. The farm uses compost, cover crops, and rotations to build soil fertility and encourage an ecosystem of wildflowers, birds, and pollinators.

“We’re organic and we don’t use any fertilizers. Our barn has solar panels and we love that,” farm manager Margaret Lilley said.

Perhaps the main goal of Red Hill Farm is to encourage a sense of place by reconnecting people with the land and with each other through community events on the farm.

Red Hill Farm has a children’s garden and hosts plant sales along with other farm-related events during the summer. For more information go to www.redhillfarm.org.