About

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.

About Blue Sky Gardens

New name, Same mission

an abstract photo of a curved building with a blue sky in the background

Located within the historic grounds of Fort Mifflin, our garden is a living classroom where students use all five senses to explore urban agriculture, nutrition, and the natural world.

Our Home at Fort Mifflin

Our Roots

Blue Sky Gardens, originally named Novick Urban Farm, was founded in 2012 by Gary Novick and the Novick Corporation, a regional distributor for head start programs. Over many years, six garden boxes grew into a 1.3 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 healthy eating.

Today we grow and teach at historic Fort Mifflin, honoring Gary's legacy by bringing vital food and education to Philadelphia's families.

What began as one small garden has grown into an organization dedicated to inspiring children through nature, nutrition, and hands-on learning.

Inspired By Transformation

Explore the milestones that have shaped Blue Sky Gardens since 2012

2023

Taking Root

2012

2019

2026

Planting the First Seed

Branching Out

New Name, Same Mission

Blue Sky Gardens begins its next chapter

Gary Novick builds 6 garden boxes in South Philadelphia

The garden officially incorporates as a 501(c)3 non-profit

We move to Fort Mifflin on the Delaware

How We've Grown

A caterpillar doesn't become something different—it becomes what it was always meant to be. Our transition from Novick Urban Farm to Blue Sky Gardens reflects the growth of our organization while remaining true to the mission that has inspired us from the beginning.