Progress report for FNE24-079
Project Information
In collaboration with the Brockton Housing Authority, we built a 50x50 foot raised-bed, no-till garden at Washburn Heights, a 50-unit low-income housing facility located on the north side of Brockton, Massachusetts. This garden was designed to not only beautify the space but also provide healthy, fresh produce to residents, all of whom live in an area designated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as both low-income and low-access, particularly within a half-mile radius walking distance to a market. Our efforts aimed to enhance food security, promote community engagement, and foster environmental education in an area where these resources are scarce.
The principal objective of our project is to foster a positive
socio-ecological dynamic, strategically integrating educational
interventions for youth with collaborative community engagement.
This concerted initiative seeks to yield locally derived,
nutritionally rich produce for the immediate residential vicinity
adjacent to the farm.
Our research aims to substantiate that youth participants exhibit
heightened self-confidence and an enhanced aptitude for
initiating and cultivating a small-scale farm. Additionally, we
intend to empirically demonstrate the favorable consequences
arising from the synergistic interaction between youth
involvement and community service, specifically evidenced through
the donation of cultivated produce to community members.
Furthermore, our investigation seeks to establish that the
implementation of integrative farming practices exerts a positive
influence on youth perceptions of their agency and control within
their immediate environment.
Open Farms Retreat aims to address a lack of access to fresh, sustainable, and locally grown food in the Brockton area, which is exacerbated by limited community resources. This issue is crucial because it leads to poor nutrition and health disparities in the community. Additionally, there is a need for educational opportunities, especially for youth, to learn about sustainable farming practices and opportunities in agriculture.
Proposed Solution: Open Farms Retreat's proposed solution is to establish a sustainable no till small-scale farm in the Brockton area that produces food directly for the adjacent community. The farm provides fresh and healthy produce and serves as an educational space where youth can learn farming practices. The project will engage local children in hands-on activities at the farm, where they will gain valuable skills and knowledge that they can apply in the local plot in Brockton and further on in life.
Expected Impact: This project will have a positive impact on students perception of their own skills at farming as well as a positive sense of self.
- Skill Development: The project will empower local youth with agricultural skills, enhancing their employability in the farming sector. This aligns with the aspect of enhancing employment in farm communities.
- Increased Access to Healthy Food: The project will address the food access issue in Brockton, promoting community health and well-being by providing fresh, locally grown produce.
Open Farms Retreat's project contributes to simultaneously addressing food access and health disparities by creating sustainable farms and gardens that serve as both sources for educational opportunities and improve access to fresh local produce for the community,
Open Farms Retreat is a Black-owned, multi-generational farm specializing in education, community engagement, and food justice. With projects spanning across Providence and Woonsocket in Rhode Island, as well as in Brockton, Massachusetts, our mission is to foster a more sustainable, equitable, and just food system. Through our work, we aim to create opportunities for communities to reconnect with the land, access nutritious food, and build lasting relationships that promote collective well-being.
Cooperators
- - Technical Advisor
Research
Objective 1: Cultivating a Positive Social Dynamic
Project Activities:
- Location: The project activities will take place at the designated farm.
- What: Organize collaborative workshops and educational sessions for youth on farming techniques, environmental/food justice, and community engagement.
- How: Conduct interactive sessions, hands-on farming experiences, and community-building exercises to foster a positive social dynamic.
Materials:
- Educational materials (brochures, handouts, presentations).
- Farming tools and equipment.
- Seeds, soil, and other farming supplies.
- Workshop space for group activities.
Data Collection:
- Pre- and post-participation surveys assessing youth perceptions of the social environment.
- Observational data on group dynamics and interactions during workshops.
- Focus group discussions to gather qualitative insights on the impact of educational and collaborative activities.
Objective 2: Improved Youth Confidence in Farming and Gardening
Project Activities:
- Location: On-site at the farm.
- What: Implement structured farming sessions, offering guidance on planting, cultivation, and maintenance.
- How: Provide hands-on training, workshops, and mentorship opportunities for youth to actively engage in farm plot creation and cultivation.
Materials:
- Tools (shovels, rakes, watering cans).
- Planting materials (seeds, seedlings).
- Educational materials on farmin techniques.
Data Collection:
- Pre- and post-program surveys to assess changes in youth self-confidence related to farming.
- Observation of individual and group farming activities.
- Reflective journals or interviews to capture qualitative insights into youth experiences and confidence levels.
Objective 3: Positive Interaction and Measurable Outcomes for Community Members
Project Activities:
- Location: Farm and garden plot and surrounding housing community.
- What: Establish a system for donating locally sourced culturally relevent produce to community members in need.
- How: Collaborate with housing complex directly to distribute harvested produce to members of the housing development.
Materials:
- Harvested produce.
- Packaging materials (boxes, bags).
Data Collection:
- Pre and post season surveys with community members to assess culturally relevant produce to grow and satisfaction with the program.
- Quantitative data on the volume and variety of produce distributed.
- Feedback sessions with community organizations involved in the distribution process.
Objective 4: Impact of Integrative Farming Practices on Youth Perception
Project Activities:
- Location: Farm and garden plot.
- What: Implement integrative farming practices that emphasize ecological sustainability and mindfulness.
- How: Conduct workshops on sustainable farming techniques, mindfulness exercises, and reflective practices during farming activities.
Materials:
- Educational materials on sustainable and integrative farming.
- Mindfulness resources (guided meditation scripts, mindfulness exercises).
- Tools and resources for implementing sustainable farming practices.
Data Collection:
- Surveys and interviews with youth participants to assess changes in perception regarding control over their environment.
- Observational data on the incorporation of mindfulness practices during farming activities.
- Assessment of the integration and application of sustainable farming techniques by youth participants.
Community Youth Engagement
One of the most rewarding aspects of this project was the active involvement of the children and youth living in Washburn Heights. Initially, the young residents participated by joining their parents and guardians in daily garden activities, such as picking ripe tomatoes and peppers or hunting for the biggest carrots during the thinning process. As the summer progressed, their involvement deepened. What began as a tentative curiosity transformed into a genuine interest in gardening. Children would often ask questions, share knowledge with one another, and eagerly participate in garden tasks, such as pruning tomato vines.
One particular story involves a child on the autism spectrum, who became deeply interested in picking cherry tomatoes. His mother shared that during a walk in the garden one afternoon, he carefully showed a friend how to pick only the red tomatoes, demonstrating a newfound sense of pride and accomplishment.
Through these interactions, the garden became more than just a source of food—it became an ecosystem where residents of all ages could connect with nature, learn, and bond. Whether it was the fragrant cilantro, the cool mint, or the endless supply of tomatoes, everyone found something to enjoy. The garden created a sense of community that extended beyond just harvesting produce; it fostered an appreciation for the environment and provided an opportunity for social connection and learning.
Food Distribution and Impact
In collaboration with the Brockton Housing Authority, we ensured that the food produced was distributed to those most in need. The Housing Authority took on the responsibility of food distribution, and they created a paid role for an individual resident to manage this process. Over the course of the project, 26 out of 50 units received at least one delivery of produce, with 13 households receiving weekly deliveries. In total, there were more than 320 deliveries made to residents.
We also partnered with Brockton Youth SOL, through the Brockton Interfaith Community, to engage local teens in the garden work. These young people were taught the basics of farming and gardening, and as they gained hands-on experience, they applied what they had learned to creating a garden on the grounds of the church which hosted their program. Some of the teens began the program with little interest in nature, but by the end were proudly declaring themselves “the best at finding carrots” after harvesting pounds of produce for distribution. These youth continue to carry the success of the project forward by planting food that is distributed to local food pantries.
Produce and Harvest Statistics
Over the course of the growing season, a total of 811.5 pounds of produce was harvested from the garden and 671 bunches of greens. This included:
-
- Radishes
- Kale
- Spinach
- Cilantro
- Beet greens
- Lettuce (bags and microgreens)
- Collard greens
- Carrots
- Peas
- Beets
- Beans
- Potatoes
- Cucumbers
- Basil
- Onions
- Tomatoes
- Squash
- Hot peppers (including jalapenos)
- Eggplant
- Okra
- Scallions
- Broccoli greens
The total value of the produce grown was estimated at $5,233.58.
This garden project was a resounding success not only in terms of the pounds of produce harvested but also in the impact it had on the community. Residents, especially children and youth developed a deeper connection to the food they eat, learned valuable skills, and became actively engaged in their community. The garden served as a bridge—connecting people to each other and to healthier, locally-grown food. It also created an ongoing educational opportunity, with young people learning about agriculture and food justice that will continue to benefit their community long after the growing season ends.