Fred de Long, 55, of West Chester sadly passed away on Jan. 21 after liver transplant complications, writes Gary Miles for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
de Long was the director of the Willistown Conservation Trust’s community farm program. He was also a teacher, writer, farmer, and mentor to many. He created the program for the Willistown Conversation Trust in 2007 after gaining years of experience in agriculture and conservation.
de Long worked tirelessly on his 6-acres of land at Rushton Farms, growing plenty of fruits and vegetables. Over 120 families participate in the community farm program. He strengthened local relationships, nurturing partnerships with local schools and organizations to teach others about agriculture.
“Though he was a savvy businessman and talented grower, perhaps his greatest talent was connecting with others and building strong professional and personal relationships,” said de Long’s brother, Aaron.
He was dedicated to charity, giving produce to West Chester Food Cupboard and other local food banks regularly. He was a successful chef and writer, working in various restaurant environments and writing articles for several publications, including County Lines Magazine.
Read more about Fred de Long’s life and legacy at The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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