Presentation at the 5th Massachusetts Sustainable Communities and 4th Sustainable Campuses Conference

1. Clem Clay, Executive Director

2. The vision requires addressing:
• Farmland protection & conversion
• Farmland transfer & tenure
• Farm viability
What can be done on the ground at the community level to
meet these needs in a sustained way?
New England Food Vision

3. Mission
To promote food security by advancing sustainable
agriculture in the Northampton, Massachusetts area.
How?
Provide Access to Food, Land, and Knowledge
For Whom?
Farmers, Gardeners, Consumers of all incomes, Children
What?
Community Farm, Community Garden, Food Subsidies and
Donations, Field Trips
What is Grow Food Northampton?

8. Trust for Public Land agreed to purchase both farms and
sell:
 Farmland (121 acres)
 $1,035,000 APR (90% MDAR/FRPP, 10% CPA)
 $600K raised by Grow Food Northampton
 Recreation Land (24 acres)
 $560,000 City-owned rec land (CPA/PARC Grant)
 Mill River Greenway (35 acres)
 $235,500 (CPA)
$2.4 million project to protect 180 acres

10. What is a
Community
Farm?
A community farm
actively engages
community
members in the
farm and, in
addition to food,
provides benefits
such as agricultural
education,
community building
& celebration,
environmental
stewardship, and
local food security.

11. Anchor Farm: Crimson & Clover
 Privately owned
 99-year ground lease, 90 acres
 Improvement equity
 Sublease management
 Markets
 400-share CSA
 Farmers’ Markets
 Modest wholesale
 Public Benefits in Lease
 Access/Education
 Sustainable Practices
 Local Markets
 Program Partnerships
 SNAP/Senior Shares
 Food Donations

12. Slow Tractor Farm
 Grains, Beans, Popcorn
 Certified Organic
 Lease 13, sublease 40 acres
 Own Valley Malt, value-added
operation serving New England
microbreweries

13. Sawmill Farm
 2.5 acres, 3-year lease
 50-share herb CSA
 New, Committed Farmer

14. Grow Food Northampton
Organic Community Garden
 275 plots
 Low-income/senior discounts
 Spanish translation
 Compost, tools, education
 Giving Garden
 Team Model

15. Farm & Garden Education Programs
 Partnership-based
 800 students in 2014, aiming for 1,900
 Rave reviews from teachers, students

16. Food Access Programs
 40 double-SNAP Shares
 40 Senior Shares
 Outreach/translation for Spanish-
speaking residents (CSA shares, garden)
 Low-income/senior garden discounts
 Giving Garden growing for soup kitchen
 Survival Center donations

17. Thank You!