WESTTOWN — A hateful message recently was etched at a Black farmer’s barn. On August 4, an eight-foot swastika was discovered spray painted on a barn floor at FarmerJawn’s, at Westtown School, which is located at 1225 E. Street Road.
FarmerJawn’s Christa Barfield expects to have the farm certified organic by the Fall of 2025. The farm and farmer’s market is owned and leased to Barfield by Westtown School. During a Wednesday morning phone interview, Barfield said that she was likely attacked with racial and anti-sematic slurs due to her race and gender.
“It’s an area plagued with racist antics in the past, and West Chester as a whole,” Barfield said. “This is not new to this area. “We have dealt with racism in the past.
It’s just a reminder that in 2024 this still exists. Hate still exists.” Barfield said that her team is a “melting pot” and “what America looks like.
” Westtown-East Goshen Police reported via the Crime Watch website that an “in-depth investigation” is ongoing and the department is working with the victim, the administration at Westtown School and the school’s security office, while investigating “the crime and intended target.” Police reported that patrols have increase to deter any further criminal activity. Through a release, Barfield reported that in April compost, tools and electronics, were stolen and vandals attacked the retail store.
Later that month, a shed was broken into and a bookshelf was destroyed. In early.