Several activists and other stakeholders are attempting to save the trees planted by John Hershey and resurrect his urban farming utopia in Downingtown, writes Sandy Hingston for Philadelphia magazine.

The effort is led by Dale Hendricks, who found inspiration in Hershey. He had a vision of a better kind of American farm, one that would fully utilize what he called the “Orbit of Nature.” His vision imagined farmers resting on their front porches, while fruit and nut trees all around dropped their bounty on the land.

Hershey turned his idea into reality in Downingtown, where his influence can be seen in the still-standing food forest he planted.

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Parts of the land have been developed, but some remains. A number of trees also remain in people’s backyards, although not as appreciated for their bounty as they once were.

This is what Hendricks is hoping to change, in addition to spreading Hershey’s gospel on permaculture.

“I’m trying to learn about how we can have more nurturing, carbon-friendly farms,” said Hendricks. “Ecosystem restoration. That’s the big-picture stuff. As for the little picture, I want this handful of trees appreciated and saved, and the vision behind them saved, too.”

Read more about permaculture in the Philadelphia magazine here.

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