From Kristine Westland

The Holliston Community Farm is growing this season—literally! We have kept operations going throughout the pandemic and are happy to say that things are in full bloom these days over at 34 Rogers Road.

The Holliston Community Farm Advisory Committee has partnered with the Parks and Recreation Department by offering a class for children ages 7-14 at the Farm to teach them about the many aspects of growing vegetables and flowers.

There is plenty of sunshine to go around here at the Community Farm, and due to a high demand, we have expanded the garden plot area from fifteen 10-foot by 10-foot plots to twenty-five in total (all but one are currently rented).

Aside from the plots and classes, we have local Girl Scout troops maintaining a beautiful pollinator garden and holding workshops. A local farmer starting out on her own is tending to the field. Another local farmer is working on a composting project with organic materials. The honeybee apiary is going strong with healthy beehives providing pollinators to the local area.

Fundraising has been tough during the pandemic, and this year is the first annual seedling sale with online ordering and contactless pickup available. Please see the online order form at https://form.jotform.com/210353136324040 or go to www.hollistoncommunityfarm.org for more details.

As far as events at the farm go, we hope to revive the Haunted Walk this Fall and partner with the Holliston Lion’s Club in a manner that will provide a safe and fun experience for volunteers and attendees. There is potential to do so much more over at the Farm with the abundant open space and agricultural resources.  However, some major capital projects are needed to help realize this vision of the Farm, such as installing an agricultural well, better signage to and on the property, a gravel parking area, and a pavilion to provide shelter. We have submitted a proposal for CPC funding at the upcoming Town Meeting on May 10, and hope that you will support this vision (please refer to Article 21).

“ARTICLE 21. REPORT OF THE COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

Appropriations

• Administrative Functions to support the Committee                         $5,000
• Dock System for Stoddard Park (Parks & Recreation)                       $5,812
• Improvements to Community Farm (Comm. Farm Adv. Comm.)      $52,100”

For more information on what’s happening at the Holliston Community Farm, you can find us on Facebook and Instagram @hollistoncommunityfarm, or on the web site www.hollistoncommunityfarm.org.