New Lands Farm

If you are looking to get healthy local food and to support local agriculture, please consider joining the New Lands Farms CSA . The New Lands Farm is a program that provides farm land to new American immigrants in Sutton and here in Worcester at the EAT Center on Oread Place. These families in turn grow crops for their families, to sell at the local farmers markets and to shareholders of their CSA.  The program is a remarkable partnership between Lutheran Immigrant and Refugee Services, REC, Worcester Common Ground and the City of Worcester. 

It is also worth talking about because it shows how we can creative effective programs when we work together. The New Lands Farm began in Sutton with donated land, but Lutheran then realized they also wanted to have locations here in the city that were easier for immigrants to access.  As Mayor, I worked with these groups to identified a number of city owned lots that have been vacant and would be ideal for farming.  Thanks to support from the City Administration, two lots were sold to Worcester Common Ground, who provided insurance and financial assistance. Local developer Frank Zitermersky helped clear the land and Beacon Pharmacy allowed parking and access to the farm through their parking lot on Oread Place.  Commissioner Moylan and DPW provided compost and helped bring in water to the site.  In turn, immigrant families were recruited by Lutheran to work the land and were trained and supported by REC and Lutheran staff.  Last year the farm took off and three immigrant families raised a huge amount of vegetables and flowers that were sold at Farmers markets.  This year, we hope to expand to a second location and Lutheran has launched a CSA so community members can help support the effort.  To learn more about this effort and the CSA, Click below.

 Click hereto learn more about new Lands Farm and about joining their CSA