Having healthy soil is a MUST to grow healthy plants including vegetables. Dr. Cynthia Hall will be presenting our program discussing soil science including nutrients, contaminants and how to build healthy soil creating a better environment for our gardens—from the ground up.

 Cynthia Hall is an Environmental Geochemist and Associate Professor at West Chester University. She received her BS in Chemistry from Howard University and Ph.D. in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences from Georgia Tech. Dr. Cynthia Hall is a soil scientist with over 20 years experience studying soils from around the world. She is an expert teacher that will be able to break down the complex subject of soil to make it simple and easy to understand.

 She and her husband, Micaiah Hall, established Free Haven Farms in 2017 after purchasing their residence in Cynthia's hometown of Lawnside. They wanted to create a farm where they could raise their children and show others in their community how to grow their own food. The location allows the Halls’ produce to be accessible to the community.

 They host in-person workshops at Free Haven Farms teaching all the fundamentals of planting and growing your own food. They also offer scholarships to their Summer Science Camp for youth and their 5-day Organic Home Garden Certification program. Their CSA (Community Supportive Agriculture) allows residents from all over our area to receive a share of vegetables each week. They also participate in farmers markets in Haddonfield and Haddon Heights as well as Philadelphia.