Organic Gardening

A PEDA (Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority) Grant has been awarded to Longacre Farm in Newport, resulting in the recent installation of a bank of 30 solar panels, mounted on a high field on this 225-acre organic farm in central Pennsylvania. This summer, 72 teenagers who come to live at Longacre will help measure the kilowatt-hours saved by this 30-foot-long solar array.”The addition of these solar panels continues the green energy initiatives teenagers have been involved in for the past 10 years here,” says Susan Smith, the director of Longacre Leadership Program. “Teens can grow and eat organic vegetables, set up a water harvesting system, create habitat for threatened species, brew biodiesel, make and use compost, teach environmental classes to local children, and more.”

All this while having an enriching summer camp experience with peers on a central Pennsylvania farm.

Longacre Leadership Program offers a unique opportunity for youth ages 12 to 18 to “go green,” and gain valuable hands-on experience with this rapidly growing international movement. For over 30 years, Longacre Farm has been in the forefront of environmental stewardship. Students walk away from their summer experiences with fresh awareness, new understanding of the world’s ecological balance, and green alternatives to implement back at home and in their classrooms.

Longacre Leadership is a broad-based experiential educational program in central PA. The 72 teenaged participants are given daily activity choices, including community service, green construction, organic gardening, farming, sustainable initiatives, horseback riding, rock climbing, biking, caving, swimming, white water rafting, children’s theatre, arts and crafts. There is a strong community emphasis with communications workshops and much individual responsibility and growth.