During the summer of 2023, Mrs. Vithayathil, Director of the Student Idea Center, and a few seniors volunteered at Sanctuary Farm. According to their website, “Sanctuary Farm Phila is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and urban farm in north Philadelphia offering fresh, organically grown produce and programs aimed at improving the health of the community and its residents. Sanctuary Farm Phila seeks to address the health inequities resulting from systemic racial oppression and economic injustice by converting abandoned and neglected areas in our community into spaces that promote safety, hospitality, nutrition, and growth.”
This summer, Dr. Fry approached Mr. Sillup to revamp the Malvern Ranch. During their discussion, they saw an opportunity to merge efforts at Sanctuary Farms and the Malvern Ranch.
“I approached Mr. Sillup about the Malvern Ranch and asked if we could get something going. Currently, [The Malvern Ranch] is a fenced area used as an educational and [produce] growing space. But in my mind, I have a larger picture of what I call the Front 13 – the plot of land out front of Warren Ave. Looking at expanding that whole area into more of an outdoor education and reflecting spaces, hiking trails, etc. I picture a mini Outward Bound on campus. And so the ranch is that first part of the beginning to re-imagine how we can use those 13 acres in front of Warren Ave,” Dr. Fry said.
Along with Dr. Fry, a few students, including Aedan McLees and Dean Howard, worked on Sanctuary Farms for two weeks, learning how to garden, package, and distribute fresh food to people in Philadelphia. Aedan McLees, ‘25, is now helping Dr. Fry build the Malvern Ranch into something students can participate in and grow their ideas.
“Dr. Fry is looking for students willing to go out and help him plant crops and trees, and he plans to make an Orchard out on the Front 13. Also, we’re using the greenhouse so students can go out to the greenhouse and look at the plants. It is volunteer work, but maybe it will become a club on campus in the future,” McLees said.
There are many ways to grow your ideas here at Malvern, but with this new space on campus, students and staff can relax and think outside the box. Dr. Fry is excited for students and staff to have this opportunity.
“Some of the plans for even out there are to put a quiet, reflection, meditation space. I would love to put some fig trees out there. I also want to set up a small garden, like St. Augustine would have done,” Fry said. “We cleaned it up, making it look a little nicer, and then, with help from Mrs. Vithayathil sharing Sanctuary Farms with us, everything started to align and connect in a great way. Knowing the garden’s proximity to the Center for Social Impact, I thought what a great opportunity for us to double down on leaving a positive impact,” Fry said.
Dr. Fry and McLees emphasized how they think this is a way to connect and grow the Malvern Brotherhood. They also mention that it is a way to let students ’ideas come out.
“It could help the students because we know that with the beekeeping club they sell their honey here at Malvern. But Dr. Fry had the idea: why don’t we grow our fruits and vegetables to create our hot sauce to be sold here at Malvern?
Dean Howard emphasized that they are always looking for volunteers and are open to students’ ideas.
“You can join by going up to Dr. Fry and asking him to join or telling him you’re interested and want to move forward and help out on the ranch. We all have access to it right now, but there’s not any food that has grown or is already ready to be sold at Malvern that will be coming soon, hopefully soon. But as of now, just go to Dr. Fry. He needs as much help as he can get. So the more people, the better,” Howard said.
