Blue Sky Gardens is a 501c3 educational garden located in Philadelphia with a mission of providing nutrition and agricultural education. With an emphasis on community connection through our food and nutrition services, we are dedicated to supporting and preserving local food systems. The garden’s educational programs provide children’s groups, and people of all ages, in-depth experiences focused on local food and healthy eating.
Our History
Novick Urban Farm was founded in 2012 by Gary Novick and the Novick Corporation, a regional distributor for head start programs. Over many years NUF grew into a 1.3 acre urban farm on the Corporation’s property in South Philadelphia.
The farm’s mission cemented around nutrition and agricultural education for groups of all ages. Seeds of what Gary planted — both literal and figurative — grew into an organization that each year fed thousands of people in need while teaching just as many area children about the value of nutrition.
New name, same mission
In 2026, we went looking for a new name and logo that honored our history and looked toward the future, both for the gardens we grow and the children we work with. The name needed to be something that conveyed our mission and our vision for the future. Inspired by the open, seemingly endless sky at Fort Mifflin, Blue Sky Gardens was born.
2012
2019
2023
2026
Gary Novick starts a garden outside of Novick Corporation's warehouse
Novick Urban Farm incorporates as a non-profit
We move to Fort Mifflin and create a new educational garden
We officially become Blue Sky Gardens
Our New Home at Fort Mifflin
Today, Blue Sky Gardens continues to provide Philadelphia’s youth with valuable hands-on nutrition education. With a fruitful new relationship with Fort Mifflin on the Delaware, BSG is building on Gary’s legacy. The new garden space is built specifically with teaching in mind and will continue to educate generations to come.
Growing with Philadelphia
The only thing better than a visit to our garden is having a garden right at your school! These projects are collaborations with local schools and learning centers where we work with teachers, staff and students to build, maintain and learn in their customized garden. We build partnerships that honor the unique needs of every school we work with, empowering students and teachers to invest in their green spaces
