When Malvern Preparatory School students step onto the grounds of the Rosengarten Ranch, they’re not just tending to rows of produce—they’re cultivating lessons in empathy, sustainability, and community. The name “Rosengarten” pays tribute to Harry Rosengarten, the original owner of the Warren Avenue estate, which was sold to the Augustinian Province in 1922, paving the way for the relocation of Malvern Preparatory School from the campus of Villanova University.

During the 2025 growing season, the student-run garden has successfully grown and harvested more than 1,300 pounds of fresh produce. All of it has been donated to Sanctuary Farm Phila, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit dedicated to combating food insecurity and improving community health through urban farming.

Dr. James Fry, Director of the Rosengarten Ranch, initially set a goal of producing 500 pounds of food. By mid-July, that target had already been surpassed. Malvern Prep students work throughout the growing season to plant, maintain, and harvest a variety of crops, including carrots, peas, eggplant, cucumbers, string beans, and leafy greens.

The growth that happens outside in the Rosengarten Ranch is supported inside Malvern’s 1,600-square-foot greenhouse. Seed starters begin in the greenhouse where the temperature is optimal, and each spring, they are moved to raised beds in the ranch.

“Our partnership with Sanctuary Farm is a win-win,” said Dr. Fry. “Our students connect with the growing process and gain a deeper understanding of food insecurity. In return, Sanctuary Farm receives fresh, organically grown produce to distribute to the communities they serve.”

Andrea Vettori, the organization’s executive director, says the partnership with Malvern Prep has been instrumental in meeting community needs. “With their generous support, we are able to provide fresh produce to over 200 people each week at our free produce stand,” she said. “As community needs continue to grow, so does the number of individuals we serve—and we simply could not meet this demand without the support of partners like Malvern Prep.”

That support is more than just food—it’s also about inspiring Malvern’s young men to see service as an integral part of their lives. At Malvern Prep, the Rosengarten Ranch serves as a “living classroom,” providing students with the opportunity to reflect on the connections between science, service, and community well-being.

The Rosengarten Ranch reflects Malvern Prep’s broader mission: to develop young men who lead with compassion, grounded in Augustinian values of Truth, Unity, and Love. Whether through service learning, academics, or co-curricular initiatives like this, the School aims to demonstrate to students how they can make a positive impact in the world around them.

As the ranch continues to grow, so too does its vision. Each season, more students are involved, more crops are cultivated, and more families are served. It’s an evolving example of how a Malvern Prep education can extend beyond the classroom walls and into the heart of the community.

For more information about the Rosengarten Ranch, please visit malvernprep.org/rosengartenranch.