Your support means the world to all of us at Newton Community Farm. Not only does your contribution help pay for items like seeds and potting soil, education programs, phone bills and truck repairs, your donation also renews our sense of purpose.
When you give to the Farm, you show that you value our work and this space, where we strive to grow not only vegetables, but also our community. We sincerely appreciate each and every gift and put the donations to good use.
In 2024, NCF completed its 19th year as a small working farm and thrived thanks to our talented staff, active core volunteers (~100+) including our high school summer field crew interns, committed community (2,500+ newsletter readers), and many generous donors. See below for highlights of accomplishments.
EDUCATION, OUTREACH, & PARTNERSHIPS
- Engaged with more than 1,500 people through classes, tours, activities, volunteering, and service-learning opportunities on- and off-site and at Newton’s Earth Day, GreenExpo, and Pumpkin Smash festivals.
- Hosted Kids’ Fall Fun Party for 150 people in October.
- Ran our educational, hands-on Summer High School Field Crew Intern Program—our 12th year.
- Offered other programming and service-learning opportunities during the year to ~100+ people including the following: Weed Crew; volunteer sessions for businesses (Wegmans, Whole Foods, and others) and several schools; and farmer training sessions.
- Produced educational newsletters with an average of 2,500 readers each month.
SUSTAINABLY-GROWN PRODUCE DISTRIBUTION
- Grew 50,000 lbs. of 50+ varieties of produce and herbs on ~1.25 acres of farmable land. Also offered fruit shares, flower shares, and produce from other local farms.
- Distributed ~28,000 seedlings of more than 90 plant varieties to ~ 700 customers through our annual seedling sale and seedling donations in the spring of 2024.
- Distributed produce through our sold-out Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs from June through December 2024 to 180 summer and 40 fall families.
- Increased our produce donations to $16,000 in value distributed over 26 weeks to the Newton Food Pantry and Freedge and the Boston Area Gleaners in response to increasing food insecurity in our community. NCF has donated produce to the community since our first growing season in 2006.
- Continued to utilize MA HIP (Healthy Incentives Program) to the list of benefits we accept as payment, in addition to SNAP, WIC and Elder checks and increased number of EBT customers at the Saturday Farmers’ Market.
- Sold and distributed 50 bags of nutritious produce from NCF and other local farms through our Thanksgiving Harvest Bag program.
- Sold our produce at the Newton Farmers’ Market on Saturdays since 2006.
- Ran our on-site farm stand three days a week, June through November.
SITE IMPROVEMENTS
- Installed security cameras on the farm to minimize risk of another incident of plant theft.
Please make a donation today to support all that you value in this unique community treasure.