Building community through gardens
Many have the vision of creating a community-involved local and sustainable food supply. In the town of Northampton, Massachusetts, it is actually happening. Read all about their story in Organic Connections, the magazine for Natural Vitality.
The backyard vegetable garden is a mainstay in many suburban towns, but what happens when an entire city rallies around the cultivation of a massive community garden? Northampton, Massachusetts—home of Smith College—fundraised $670,000 to acquire a plot of land to solely be used for organic farming. Currently, the town has 121 acres growing organic produce.
In an interview with Organic Connections, Lilly Lombard, executive director of Grow Food Northampton, the nonprofit that spearheaded the project, explains how community gardens can enrich a town. “I think what is really important is the amount of awareness this farm is inspiring in the average citizen,” she says.