Founded by Jasmine Thompson, Woolbank (formerly known as Philly Forests) began as an urban farm across eight parcels in Philadelphia. Using regenerative practices like alley cropping and silvopasture, the farm produced over 10,000 lbs of vegetables while cycling profits into the community through its Urban Ecology Program—distributing free trees and offering environmental education in the city’s lowest-canopy neighborhoods. Despite strong revenue and impact, the farm paused operations in 2024 after identifying key challenges: the lack of startup capital, land insecurity, and burnout from operating a bootstrapped, multi-site business.

In response, Jasmine relocated to 16 acres in Conneautville, PA, rebranding as Woolbank Forest Farm and launching a long-term, conservation-centered vision for regional food system transformation. Now embedded in the Erie food policy ecosystem, Jasmine is helping shape a new food hub and has contracts in place to supply pay-what-you-can markets once production begins in 2026. In the meantime, Woolbank is being developed as a regenerative demonstration site that combines food production, ecological restoration, and storytelling around Black agrarian land ownership.

Woolbank’s five-year plan includes diversified vegetables, forest-farmed products, native tree saplings, and fiber from hair sheep. Jasmine recently secured a six-figure grant from the PA Department of Labor & Industry to launch the state’s first Agroforestry and Ecology Apprenticeship Program, which will train BIPOC young adults in sustainable land stewardship.

A low-interest loan from Foodshed Capital provided working capital to administer the grant during its 21-month reimbursement cycle, enabling Woolbank to model an ambitious, resilient, and justice-rooted approach to land-based enterprise.