Needham Community Farm Opens Registration for 2023 Community Recreational Gardening Beds

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This project highlights the Farm’s drive to broaden fresh food access, build community, and steward the land by teaching sustainable growing practices

 

February 15, 2023

NEEDHAM, MA  -- The Needham Community Farm (NCF) is pleased to announce that Community Garden Bed registration opens February 15 at 12:00 noon.  Needham area residents may lease a 4' x 12' raised garden bed for the 2023 growing season.   
 

With a mission to expand fresh food access, build community, and teach sustainable growing practices, the Needham Community Farm has completed the installation of 150, 4' by 12' raised beds for recreational gardening. The majority of the beds, 135, are 22” high, and 15 of the beds are 30” high to accommodate those with accessibility issues. In addition, NCF has reserved 15 beds for income-eligible individuals and families to utilize free of charge. Registration for Needham residents begins Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 12:00 noon. Registration for non-Needham residents begins Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 12:00 noon. Go to NeedhamFarm.org/community-beds to find additional information and reserve a bed.
 

In 2022, the Town of Needham’s Community Preservation Committee (CPC) awarded NCF with $200K to install a new fenced area of raised garden beds for recreational purposes. The Community Beds area joins the Needham Community Farm and the Needham Dog Park at the former Nike Site off of Pine Street.  The new beds are in place, and the project will be completed in early spring with the installation of fencing, water outlets, and a supply shed. 

"I love what the Needham Community Farm brings to our town, the sense of shared responsibility in our resources. With the addition of these growing beds, with more people visiting that part of town, we all benefit." 

 

Artie Crocker former CPC Member and current Planning Board Member
 

This is one of the largest installments of community gardening beds in the greater Metrowest region, and would not have been possible without the support of the Town of Needham.  Contractors Organic Soil Solutions and Black Earth Compost have completed the bed construction and soil installation. We continue to work with Misty River View Fencing, O’Connor Irrigation, and Walpole Outdoors to complete the project. 

“One of the hallmarks of a strong community is that residents want to put down roots. In this case, very literally. The Community Beds are a great opportunity for Needham residents to have fun growing fruits, vegetables, and friendships. With ready access to NCF’s educational programs, participants can also grow their knowledge.”
 

Kevin Keane, Needham Select Board

For residents and others interested in learning more about gardening, NCF provides a variety of free workshops as well as for-a-fee virtual webinars and live Monday & Wednesday gardening classes. Please, go to NeedhamFarm.org to learn more about our upcoming educational programming.

“This is an exciting farm expansion and we are grateful to the Town of Needham for funding and our partners for timely execution. This project highlight’s the Farm’s drive to broaden fresh food access, build community and steward the land by teaching sustainable growing practices”
 

Susan Shaver, President Needham Community Farm