Final 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 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 participants 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 self-confidence related to farming.
- Observation of individual and group farming activities.
- Reflective journals or interviews to capture qualitative insights into participant 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 Participant 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 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 participants.
Community Engagement
One of the most rewarding aspects of this project was the active involvement of the participants living in Washburn Heights. Initially, the 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 participant 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.
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. 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.
Education & Outreach Activities and Participation Summary
Participation Summary:
Our education and outreach services were focused on youth and non professional members of the community. Weekly meetings were held for Washburn residents where they learned proper harvesting practices and clean techniques to distribute food to the larger Washburn community. It is this group we are speaking of in answer to the question "Number of farmers/ranchers who participated in education and outreach activities". Additionally residents learned how to continue to care for and maintain the agricultural plot inclusive of planting, weeding, pruning and pest control procedures. Larger topics discussed with participants throughout the growing season included composting, no till gardening, organic soil amendments. Our youth program was similarly structured, though met fewer times. Our focus with the youth was likewise focused on supporting them in their endeavor to create their own community garden. Students received on site lessons and practical application opportunities at the Washburn garden and Open fArms Retreat. They demonstrated the success of their learning by creating a garden at the Rose Conservatory, where they now successfully grow and distribute food for the Brockton Food Pantry.
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.
Through this project, residents, especially children and youth developed a deeper connection to the food they eat, learned valuable skills, and became actively engaged in their community.
Learning Outcomes
While our local residents do not specifically identify as Farmers, the three most regular resident volunteers in our project reported positive learning outcomes in areas such as planting, weeding, tomato maintenance, and harvesting.
Project Outcomes
The greatest success story of our grant was the community's interest in the the garden itself. Our organization engaged the residents directly and fed an existing desire to grow food. Members of the community were drawn to the Washburn Agricultural Plot. A natural joy was found by all who came to "play in the dirt". While there was a core group of folks who found themselves outside learning and lending a hand, one rainy day two new residents came out to ask if they could help too. It was an unexpected addition and shift to something even bigger than where we started. Further the kids living with in the complex were a magical part of the project. What began as them playing tentatively around and near the garden over time transformed into them asking questions about the plants and being drawn in to pick and clip and munch on the abundance of what was there. The space was cared for by the community.
The biggest stumbling block for our research was navigating the IRB approval process to work with children. The minutia of explaining every step we would take with the youth before anything was executed to the IRB was not feasible along our timeline, specifically due to the growing season in the Northeast. In order to execute research with youth in our region we would have had to start the IRB process in November to have final approval by no later than March/April, and then recruit and gain informed consent by no later than May. Regrettably we did not know how complicated the process was and in compliance with the IRB did not conduct any research related activities with the youth. It would still be a worthy question; to ask their thoughts and feelings about the experience of learning to build the garden and distribute the food to the community. Sometimes success looks different than we expect and repeatedly throughout the project my focus had to be shifted away from the struggles with the IRB to the success of the teaching and learning that was taking place. The residents who volunteered felt a deep sense of pride in the garden and the greater community as a whole reaped the benefit of fresh produce throughout the Summer into the Fall.