May 28 marks the opening of Grow Food Northampton’s (GNF) newest project, the Florence Organic Community Garden. The 400-plot community garden is located five minutes from Florence center, and works to advance GFN’s goals of sustainable, local agriculture in the Pioneer Valley.  

Grow Food Northampton was founded in the summer of 2009, when a small group of food-focused Northampton residents came together to discuss issues concerning agriculture and farmland preservation in the Valley.  By the end of 2010, GFN had created fundraising, leadership and farming boards, and had raised enough money to purchase Bean Farm, a 121-acre farm in Northampton.  

In June 2011, GFN expanded its farm to include Crimson & Clover Farm – adding another 121 acres of farmland – and was officially classified as a Massachusetts Non-Profit Charitable Organization. With these improvements to the program, it was decided that a new expansion should take place, serving Florence and Northampton residents.

“We believe in food security for Northampton and sustainable agriculture in the Valley, and the community is a great place to begin that process,” said Lilly Lombard, executive director of Grow Food Northampton. “If farmers, community members and the local markets are all fighting for the same sustainable goals, then our future will be that much more secure.”

The opening of the Florence Organic Community Garden will do more than create sustainable options. Four hundred more plots will be added to the 1,400 already available to Pioneer Valley residents, increasing business in farmer’s markets and locally supplied businesses. The Valley has already seen an increasing demand for organic farming plots, and the Florence addition will stem the growing consumer demand.  

“The current community gardens have exceeded their capacities … residents and community members want to get out and grow their own food, but also want to grow it organically,” Lombard said.  “The Florence Organic Garden will allow them to do just that.”

Smith students may be able to benefit from the community garden as well.  The Florence Organic Community Garden is currently recruiting volunteers to help at the farm itself or at the GFN headquarters as administrative workers.  Volunteers can expect to construct tool sheds, signs and plots, plant hedgerows and maintain community areas.  They may be involved with newsletter writing or tabling at Farmer’s Markets, or may help solicit members, donations and business sponsorships.  There are no limits to volunteer opportunities, and GFN is willing to accept volunteers for any period of time.

GFN and the Florence Organic Community Garden are accepting students and community members for yearlong internship opportunities. Interns are expected to become a more integral part of the GFN community, and become a mentor to incoming members as these new members discover the process behind community gardening.  

To learn more about GFN and its individual projects, visit www.growfoodnorthampton.com, or e-mail info@growfoodnorthampton.com. To become a volunteer, e-mail GFN at volunteer@growfoodnorthampton.com.