We have big news...

Through a truly collaborative effort, All Farmers now owns two acres of farmland less than a block from a major bus route to Springfield. The land was historically a plant nursery and cattle farm, and more recently has been maintained as open meadow space and a few garden plots.

This is the first sizeable piece of land we are able to offer farmers within reach of public transportation. We expect to be able to reach more senior citizens, new arrivals, and families without personal vehicles with this land.

The land is approximately one third prime farmland and two thirds wetlands (6 acres total). The land will be protected from development, and host a sustainable community garden site in balance with the neighboring wetlands and wildlife habitat.

All Farmers is currently working with the farmers, Equity Trust, and the Regenerative Design Group to plan for our 2022 site opening. The farmers are an integral part of our decision-making process. In the past, farmers have primarily worked within their groups to come to decisions. As land ownership has become a reality, the farmers are increasingly working as one unit to come to these monumental decisions collectively.

Farmers at the 2021 annual farmer meeting discussed how to share the new land and welcome new farmers. We are continuing these conversations over the winter.

This project is another example of symbiotic collaborations between community-based organizations and conservation projects. All Farmers has worked closely with Kestrel Land Trust and Eversource to conserve the wetlands alongside the future community gardens site.

Historically more conservation funding has gone to projects benefiting white, more affluent communities. As issues around equity and racial justice take center stage, conservation organizations are asking important questions including who a project serves and how to spread these resources more equitably, even proactively, among our communities.

We expect to have more exciting land access updates soon. Stay tuned!