30th Anniversary Horse Plow

 

On Thursday, April 12, a team of horses and staff from Howell Living History Farm arrived at Chestnut Ave Community Garden for Isles’ Annual Horse Plow. This year marked a special milestone in the history of the partnership between Isles and Howell Farm as we celebrated our 30th anniversary (to the exact date) of our first collaborative community garden plow.

The Chestnut Avenue garden is the largest and oldest of more than 70 community and school gardens in Trenton, and it has hosted Howell Living History Farm plow teams for the majority of those 30 years. Operated by the Mercer County Park Commission, the Farm demonstrates farming techniques used in the U.S. at the turn of the 20th century and in many parts of the world today. Local students helped guide the horses and learned about corn shelling, composting, beekeeping, and more.

“It’s an incredible day where school kids, farm staff, and community gardeners learn and work together to build a better future through food. We are proud to share this tradition with Howell Farm and the community. The day happens quietly year after year, but carries a powerful significance that transcends generations as well as urban and rural landscapes,” says Jim Simon, Isles Deputy Director of Community Planning.

We were glad to have Councilwoman Marge Caldwell-Wilson and Aaron Watson, Executive Director of the Mercer County Park Commission, in attendance.

Councilwoman Caldwell-Wilson shared, “One of the reasons that I am such a huge supporter of Isles is how they teach children in the city about everything–whether it’s educating them in math, or how to plow a field or grow vegetables. I do appreciate all their hard work in our open spaces, and they always include our kids which is really, really important.”