The Cook
Hi there! My name’s Jennie. I’ve been lucky enough to live just a couple blocks over from a great urban farm in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia that started me on what’s become an incredible journey in sustainable food and growing choices. I began volunteering at Weavers Way Farm in early spring of 2007 and quickly morphed into something more along the lines of a groupie. I later became the farm’s volunteer marketing coordinator and cut flower producer.
I spent literally hundreds of hours working on Weavers Way Farm and fell so much in love with the urban agriculture scene that I decided to make a drastic career change in the spring of 2008. After a decade as a marketing and corporate communications manager, I am now working and studying my way through a professional horticulture diploma program at Longwood Gardens. I’m also freelance writing and designing for sustainabilty topics and local non-profits, as well as trying to make a go of it as a freelance food photographer (portfolio available here).
The best part about farming/gardening and being so involved in the “eat local” scene? The people! I’ve met an amazing crowd of highly energized and intellectual eaters and growers through this incredibly gratifying work. I love using all the fresh seasonal harvests from local producers and my own garden in what I like to refer to as “meatless cooking”. Many of you came to this site seeking vegetarian recipes, which is exactly what you will find. However, I never set out to to create a vegetarian site. Rather, I personally enjoy recipes that focus on fresh vegetables and not meat.
And now you know how this locally-grown, vegetable-centric blog was born and continues to thrive. I’m so glad you stopped by so I could share with you my love of urban agriculture, gardening, locally harvested (i.e., FRESH!) produce, and creative cooking in a tiny (we’ve moved!) well-appointed Mt. Airy kitchen. Let’s feast on fresh together!
“…She had that brand of pragmatism that would find her
the first brewing tea after Armageddon.”
Weaveworld by Clive Barker
That’s me, about 8 years old, frying up homemade potato chips in my PJs.
The Camera
Canon Digital Rebel XTi 10.1 MP Digital SLR
with a Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens most often
and occasionally a Canon 18-55mm IS lens.
Contact the Cook/Blog
straightfromthefarm(at)gmail(dot)com
