About Us

Our Purpose

Our Purpose
Fox Chase Farm is a leading agricultural education campus within the School District of Philadelphia, serving more than 62,000 students annually across 60 schools. As the District’s central hub for agriculture education, the farm provides hands-on, experiential learning opportunities for students from Pre-K through 12th grade, connecting classroom concepts to real-world applications in food systems, sustainability, and workforce development.

Owned by the City of Philadelphia and operated by the School District, Fox Chase Farm bridges education, community, and innovation. Through field trips, school-based programming, and initiatives such as the Agriculture Empowerment Program, students engage directly with agriculture in meaningful and accessible ways.

The farm’s purpose extends beyond exposure. It is designed to inspire the next generation of leaders, innovators, and stewards of the environment by providing immersive experiences that build knowledge, skills, and confidence. By bringing agriculture into the hands of students and the broader community, Fox Chase Farm plays a critical role in shaping a more informed, resilient, and sustainable future for Philadelphia.

History of Fox Chase Farm

History of Fox Chase Farm
Fox Chase Farm sits on more than 112 acres of land that has been actively cultivated for over 200 years, with roots tracing back to the earliest days of Pennsylvania. Originally deeded to William Stanly by William Penn in 1682, the land was known as “Mt. Stanley” and was part of a growing agricultural landscape that supported early settlement in the region. By the early 1700s, key infrastructure such as Pine Road and nearby mills had been established, reinforcing the area’s role in local food production and community development.

Over the centuries, the property changed hands multiple times while remaining dedicated to agriculture. At one point owned by the Society of Friends, the land operated as a working dairy farm producing milk and vegetables. In the early 20th century, the Lorimer family acquired the property, maintaining its agricultural use and residence in the historic Manor House.

In 1939, the estate was purchased by Harold Butler, who expanded livestock operations to include cattle, sheep, pigs, and horses. During this period, longtime caretaker Irwin Glancy managed the farm for more than four decades, overseeing crop production, livestock care, and key infrastructure improvements. Many of the farm’s historic structures, including barns and stone buildings, reflect this era of stewardship and continue to stand today.

Following Butler’s passing in 1968, the land faced the threat of development, including a proposed plan for hundreds of residential units. In response, a collaborative public effort emerged to preserve the property. By 1980, through funding from the federal government, the City of Philadelphia, Abington Township, and Montgomery County, the full tract was acquired for public use.

This preservation effort not only protected the farm itself, but also played a critical role in establishing a larger greenbelt along Pennypack Creek, safeguarding natural resources, floodplains, and open space from urban encroachment.

Today, Fox Chase Farm stands as both a historic landmark and a living, working agricultural education center. Its legacy of farming, preservation, and public investment continues to shape its mission, connecting generations of Philadelphians to agriculture, land stewardship, and community.

Historical Highlights
A homestead is Established: 1683-1692

The Wistar Yeats: 1821-1863

Multiple Owners, but development is averted: 1876-1901

The Manor House is transformed: 1901-1917

The Butler years: 1939-1969

Opportunities to visit and learn: 1981-1994

From private hands to public lands: 1972-1980

The destruction and rebuilding: 1997-2001

The Farm Today
Fox Chase Farm is a 112-acre working farm and the only publicly owned agricultural education facility in Philadelphia. Managed by the School District of Philadelphia and located within Fairmount Park, the farm serves as both a living classroom and a community resource.

Students from across the District engage in hands-on learning through field trips and agricultural programming, while the farm’s production team maintains daily operations, including crops and livestock.

The farm also hosts public events led by the School District, such as Spring Into Ag and ConservationFest, alongside seasonal programming in partnership with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, including Maple Sugaring and Sheep Shearing.