.DRvkNLo6.jpeg)
Dr. Mandy Manna
Ag Innovation Expert · Educational Leader · Farm Administrator
Dr. Mandy Manna
Ag Innovation Expert · Educational Leader · Farm Administrator
Educational leader transforming urban agriculture through innovative experiential learning. Farm Administrator at Fox Chase Farm, managing the largest urban public school district-operated educational farm in the United States.
Key Achievements
Transforming urban education through agricultural innovation, workforce development, and community engagement
Swipe to explore
2024 Neubauer Fellowship
Selected as a prestigious fellow recognizing exceptional educational leadership in Philadelphia schools.
Grant Leadership
Secured and managing $2.2M+ in competitive grants powering sustainable agricultural innovation.
Student Engagement
Hub-and-spoke model serving 62K+ student visits across 60 schools each year.
Farm Stewardship
Managing the largest urban public school district-operated educational farm in the United States.
Educator Development
Launching Agriculture Innovations Academy to certify 180+ teachers in agricultural literacy.
CEA Pipeline
Leading Philadelphia's first district-wide Controlled Environment Agriculture pre-apprenticeship programs.
What We Offer at Fox Chase Farm
From kindergarten farm visits to career-connected apprenticeships, our programs meet students, families, and communities where they are.
K–12 Agricultural Learning
Hands-on farm experiences, traveling outreach programs, and inclusive agricultural education for every learner across Philadelphia.
Explore Education Programs
Career Pathways in Agriculture
CEA pre-apprenticeships, educator certifications, student-run enterprises, and skilled trades pathways preparing students for real careers.
Explore Workforce Programs
Open to Philadelphia Families
Weekend farm experiences, signature seasonal events, ESY horticulture, and the GAIN Media Network welcoming the whole community.
Explore Community Programs
Accomplishments at Fox Chase Farm
Transforming Fox Chase Farm into a premier agricultural hub for the School District of Philadelphia with on-farm experiences, traveling outreach, classroom integration, and community engagement.
- Repositioned Fox Chase Farm as a model for agriculture education, innovation, and sustainability across SDP.
- Hub-and-spoke model serving 62K+ annual student visits and 60 schools in alignment with Accelerate Philly Goals & Guardrails.
- Grant leadership securing and managing $2.2M+ in competitive funding to expand programming, equipment, and staffing.
- Workforce development through pre-apprenticeships in CEA, plumbing, and electrical trades plus student-run enterprises like farm stores and Maple Leaf Café.
- Inclusive learning via Ag Empowerment programs, Jr. MANRRS leadership, ESY horticulture, and weekend family experiences.
- Strategic partnerships with Merck Animal Health, Whitsons Food Service, Delaware Valley University, Feed Philly Coalition, and civic organizations.
Advancing Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) in Schools
Building Philadelphia's first district-wide Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) pipeline with integrated workforce certifications, industry partnerships, and innovation-driven demonstration sites. First in PA for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA).
- CEA pre-apprenticeships launched at Mastbaum HS, Overbrook HS, and Martin Luther King HS.
- Career-connected credentials preparing students to become CEA technicians, growers, and trades specialists.
- Industry partnerships with Skout Consulting and Merck Animal Health integrating ag-tech like SenseHub into classrooms.
- Demonstration sites and policy innovation positioning CEA to address food security, workforce shortages, and economic development.
- Teacher certification plan to engage 180+ Philadelphia educators through the Agriculture Innovations Academy with the University of Utah.
- GAIN media network delivering global agriculture innovation content to teachers and students.
Broader Vision & Impact
Championing agriculture as the intersection of education, economy, environment, and equity while expanding consulting services to districts across the U.S. and abroad.
- Agriculture as economic development driving workforce readiness and food justice for urban communities.
- Replicable models helping districts merge sustainability, innovation, and hands-on student engagement.
- Consulting services designing agricultural innovation programs, securing funding, and building sustainable roadmaps.
- Community engagement through signature events like Ad Discovery Day, Rooster Run, Cow Plop Bingo, Baby Goat Naming, and Bird Walks.
- Staff development systems with clear role pathways, Danielson-aligned evaluations, WIGs, onboarding, and coaching.
- Global reach supporting domestic and international adoption of agricultural innovation programs.