Urban Farm Bike Ride

Sat., July 18, 8:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m., $15, starts at Weavers Way Co-op Farm, East Washington Lane, 215-843-2350, weaversway.coop.

by Sherri Hospedales

[ adventure ]

Philly's urban farmers are crafty. Give them dirty water, and they'll route it to a man-made swamp that naturally purifies it. And that old shed lying around? They'll transform it into a low-energy cooler for plants.

"These creative and innovative farmers are always trying new things and are never satisfied with the status quo," says Chris Hill. "They are creating labs for sustainable energy, growing food above ground, and growing a number of plants in their farms."

Hill should know. He founded the Urban Farm Bike Ride, which takes participants on a journey to these spots so they can interact with farmers and learn more about the industry. Stops include Greensgrow (the farm that did all those crafty things mentioned above), Spring Garden Community Gardens, Teens4Good, the Orchard at Woodford Mansion and Mill Creek Farm.

Hill says the ride, now in its fourth year, is becoming especially popular with the twentysomething crowd. But he's most proud of the long-lasting impact it has on participants. "Emotionally speaking, people see where the food comes from — that it's possible to grow food in your area," says Hill. "It creates a sense that we're not dependent on a beast of a food industry."

Sat., July 18, 8:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m., $15, starts at Weavers Way Co-op Farm, East Washington Lane, 215-843-2350, weaversway.coop.