GrowBoston

GrowBoston is the City of Boston's new Office of Urban Agriculture. GrowBoston's goal is to increase food production and support local food producers in Boston, including gardeners, farmers, beekeepers, and more.

Page Sections

GrowBoston is making up to $250,000 available through grants of up to $30,000 to organizations producing food in Boston. These awards are intended to assist food-producing organizations in strengthening their infrastructure and growing more food in the City of Boston. Details are on the RFP webpage.

On Tuesday, January 31 from 2pm to 3pm, GrowBoston will host a virtual Applicant Conference. At the Conference, GrowBoston staff will answer any questions related to this Request For Proposals.

If you are unable to join, a recording of the meeting will be posted on this page at a later date.

Contact

617-635-3880
send an email
12 Channel Street
9th Floor

Boston, MA 02210
United States
HOURS

Weekdays, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
icon-twitter icon-instagram
Stay Connected

Fill out our public comment form or email us with your questions and ideas.

Public comment form

About

GrowBoston builds on the long-term work of the Mayor’s Office of Housing (MOH). MOH, through the Grassroots Program, has been supporting the development of. community gardens, urban farms, food forests, and other open spaces through land disposition and capital funding for more than 25 years.

GrowBoston will be working to increase community gardens, urban farms, and other food-growing spaces throughout Boston. We will support the implementation of innovative food production strategies, such as rooftop growing, vertical growing, and hydroponics.

We provide technical help to prospective and existing gardens and farms. Our team develops educational and other food production resources for gardeners, farmers, and residents. We partner with sister agencies to leverage public facilities to increase food production. We also coordinate with other City departments to make food production more accessible in Boston.

Grassroots Program

The Grassroots program supports the development of community gardens and other open spaces. The program provides grant funds, City-owned land, and technical help to neighborhood groups and nonprofits. The goal is to help those who want to organize, develop, own, manage, and maintain community gardens, farms, and other open space in low- and moderate- income neighborhoods.

Learn more about Grassroots

Gardening Tip Sheets

GrowBoston offers guides to help you reach the next level in gardening. Topics include weed management, container gardening, and seed saving. These tip sheets are targeted at gardeners with some previous knowledge. Please contact GrowBoston if you need assistance with gardening basics.

View the tip sheets

Meet the Staff

Shani Fletcher

Director

Theresa Strachila

Program Manager

Kalice Allen

Program Manager

Cassidy Chang

Program Coordinator

Meet the Advisory Board

Danielle Andrews

GrowBoston Advisory Board Member

Apolo Cátala

GrowBoston Advisory Board Member

Pete Ellis

GrowBoston Advisory Board Member

Barbara Knecht

GrowBoston Advisory Board Member

Vivien Morris

GrowBoston Advisory Board Member

Elnora Thompson

GrowBoston Advisory Board Member

Vidya Tikku

GrowBoston Advisory Board Member

Additional Resources for Gardens and Farms

View additional resources for starting a garden or a farm on a vacant lot in Boston, as well as for learning how to garden and farm.

Urban Farming

Guide to urban farming in the City of Boston.

Food Access and Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic: One Acre Farm Guide

Guide to starting a ground-level farm on less than one acre of land.

Boston Planning & Development Agency: Article 89 Made Easy

Guide to help ensure farms are compliant with appropriate zoning.

Boston Planning & Development Agency: Zoning Viewer

A map to find zoning for a particular parcel in the City.

Boston Water & Sewer Commission: Water Installation

If you are developing a farm or garden and need to know what is required for water.

Mass. Department of Agriculture Urban Agriculture Program

Funding for urban agriculture projects and community gardens.

Native Plant Species List

Guide to native species to plant on your farm, or in your food forest or park.

Urban Farming Institute: Training Program

A 29-week course from March through October based in Mattapan.

Trustees of Reservations: Master Urban Gardener Program

An intensive training for vegetable gardeners of all experience levels.

Trustees of Reservations: Educational Workshops and Events

List of the Trustees of Reservations' educational workshops and events.

Urban Farm Directory

Farm Directory

Dorchester

Glenway Farm

Urban Farming Institute
131 Glenway Street

As of summer 2021, produce from Glenway Farm is sold at the Farmstand at Fowler Clark Farm (487 Norfolk Street) Fridays from 1pm to 4pm. Produce is also sold through the Urban Farming Institute’s CSA Program. To learn more or to volunteer at the farm, email info@urbanfarminginstitute.org.

The West Cottage Farm

The Food Project
40 West Cottage Street

As of summer 2021, produce from The West Cottage Farm is sold at the Dudley Town Common and Ashmont farmers markets. The farm also donates to Rosie's place, the Mosque for Praising Allah, Rounding the Bases, the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative food pantry, and the Project Hope Shelter. Volunteer opportunities are currently limited due to high demand. To learn more, email dandrews@thefoodproject.org.

87-89 Callender Street

NUBIA

As of summer 2021, produce from 87-89 Callender Street is sold at the Brighton farmers' market and the Copley farmers' market. To learn more or to volunteer, email a.sayed@nubianet.net, or call 617-669-2642.

Sportsmen's Tennis and Enrichment Center

Urban Farming Institute
950 Blue Hill Avenue

As of summer 2021, produce from the farm at Sportsmen’s Tennis and Enrichment Center is sold at the Farmstand at Fowler Clark Farm (487 Norfolk Street) Fridays from 1pm to 4pm. Produce is also sold through the Urban Farming Institute’s CSA Program. To learn more or to volunteer at the farm, email info@urbanfarminginstitute.org.

East Boston

Corner Stalk Farm

101 Condor Street

Corner Stalk Farm grows in a recycled shipping container year-round. To order produce from Corner Stalk Farm, visit the Corner Stalk Farm website.

Eastie Farm

294 Sumner Street

As of summer 2021, produce from Eastie Farm can be purchased through their CSA program: sign up at on the CSA website. Eastie Farm also donates to local community organizations or directly to community members. Local neighbors are welcome to help care for the food and reap what is sown. To volunteer, visit the Eastie Farm volunteer website, and learn about upcoming events in the Eastie Farm calendar. Contact Eastie Farm at info@eastiefarm.com or (617) 419-0788.

Fenway

Fenway Farms

Green City Growers
Fenway Park

As of summer 2021, produce from Fenway Farms is used at all Fenway Park food venues. Fenway Farms also donates to Lovin’ Spoonfuls Food Rescue. To learn more, visit the Green City Growers website.

Hyde Park

We Grow Microgreens

21 Norton Street

As of summer 2021, produce from We Grow Microgreens is sold at its Hyde Park Farmstand at 21 Norton St. Hyde Park, Thursdays from 3 - 6:30 p.m. In the summer and fall, We Grow Microgreens sells at these farmers’ markets: Natick Farmers' Market at Common Street Church, 13 Common Street, every Saturday from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.; Roslindale Farmers' Market at Adam's Park in Roslindale Square, select Saturdays June until October from 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.; Watertown Farmers' Market at Saltonstall Park, Main Street and Whites Avenue, Watertown MA, every other Wednesday beginning June 16 from 2:30 - 6:30 p.m.; Newton Summer Market at Newton South High School, every other Tuesday beginning July 6 from 2 - 6 p.m.; Mattapan Farmers' Market. In the winter, We Grow Microgreens sells at these farmers’ markets: Natick Winter Farmer's Market at Common Street Church, 13 Common Street, Natick, MA, Saturdays, October to April; Wayland Winter Farmers' Market at Russell's Garden Center, 397 Boston Post Road Wayland, MA, Saturdays, January 9 to March 13, 2020, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Roslindale Winter Farmers' Market at 32 Birch Street, Roslindale, MA, Sundays, January 17 to March 2020, from 12 - 2 p.m.

To learn more or to volunteer, visit the We Grow Microgreens or email wegrowmicrogreens@gmail.com.

Jamaica Plain

Allandale Farm

259 Allandale Road, Chestnut Hill

As of summer 2021, produce from Allandale Farm is sold at their farm stand from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily. Allandale Farm also sells through their CSA program and through their online shop. To learn more, visit the Allandale Farm website, email allandale@allandalefarm.com, or call 617-524-1531.

Mattapan

Astoria Farm

Urban Farming Institute
15 Flint Street

As of summer 2021, produce from Astoria farm is sold at the Farmstand at Fowler Clark Farm (487 Norfolk Street) Fridays from 1pm to 4pm. Produce is also sold through the Urban Farming Institute’s CSA Program. To learn more or to volunteer at the farm, email info@urbanfarminginstitute.org.

Fowler Clark Farm

Urban Farming Institute
487 Norfolk Street

As of summer 2021, produce from Fowler Clark Farm is sold at its Farmstand at 487 Norfolk Street Fridays from 1pm to 4pm. Produce is also sold through the Urban Farming Institute’s CSA Program. To learn more or to volunteer at the farm, email info@urbanfarminginstitute.org.

ReVision Urban Farm

Victory Programs
38 Fabyan Street and 23-29 Tucker Street

As of summer 2021, produce from ReVision Urban Farm is sold at the ReVision Urban Farm Stand, Dot House Farmers’ market, Roslindale Farmers’ Market, and distributed at the Boston Living Center and ReVision Family Home. To learn more or to volunteer, email volunteer@vpi.org.

Ballou Urban Farm

Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation
100 Ballou Avenue

To learn more about Ballou Urban farm, email apolojcatala@gmail.com.

Roxbury

Garrison-Trotter Farm

Urban Farming Institute
225-227 Harold Street

As of summer 2021, produce from Garrison-Trotter farm is sold at the Farmstand at Fowler Clark Farm (487 Norfolk Street) Fridays from 1pm to 4 pm. Produce is also sold through the Urban Farming Institute’s CSA Program. To learn more or to volunteer at the farm, email info@urbanfarminginstitute.org.

Tommy's Rock Farm

Boston Farms Community Land Trust
1-3 Akron Street

As of summer 2021, produce from Tommy’s Rock Farm is sold directly to customers. Flowers grown at the farm are sold through a CSA program. To learn more or to volunteer at the farm, email info@bostonfarms.org.

Langdon Street Farm

The Food Project
37-43 Langdon Street/ 123-133r George Street

As of summer 2021, produce from the Langdon Street Farm is sold at the Dudley Town Common and Ashmont farmers markets. The farm also donates to Rosie's place, the Mosque for Praising Allah, Rounding the Bases, the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative food pantry, and the Project Hope Shelter. Volunteer opportunities are currently limited due to high demand. To learn more, email dandrews@thefoodproject.org.

Thornton Street Farm

Haley House
95r Thornton Street

Produce from the Thornton Street Farm is distributed at the Haley House Soup Kitchen, at the Haley House Bakery and Cafe, at Paige Academy, and through a program for senior living in Highland Park, as of summer 2021. To learn more or to volunteer, visit the Haley House website.

17 Dixwell Street

NUBIA

As of summer 2021, produce from 17 Dixwell Street is sold at the Brighton farmers' market and the Copley farmers' market. To learn more or to volunteer, email a.sayed@nubianet.net, or call (617) 669-2642.

South End

Boston Medical Center Rooftop Farm

Higher Ground Farms
One Boston Medical Center Place

Produce from the Boston Medical Center Rooftop Farm is used in the Boston Medical Center food pantry, cafeteria, and teaching kitchen, and is sold at the Boston Medical Center’s farmers’ market, as of summer 2021. There are no volunteer opportunities currently due to COVID-19. To learn more, visit the Higher Ground Farms website.

Miscellaneous

Hannah Farm

B. Good and Camp Harbor View
Long Island Road, Long Island

As of summer 2021, produce from Hannah Farm is used at Camp Harbor View, and B. Good’s Summer Street, Seaport, and Washington Street locations. The farm has a volunteer program with Camp Harbor View. To learn more, visit the B. Good and Camp Harbor View website.

GrowBoston

Contact

About

Grassroots Program

Gardening Tip Sheets

Meet the Staff

Meet the Advisory Board

Additional Resources for Gardens and Farms

Community Garden Directory

Urban Farm Directory