Boston Farms builds and protects urban farms across the neighborhoods of Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan, making our farms accessible to Black and Brown farmers to create economic opportunity and community health. We support our farmers with a range of financial and technical assistance. We are led by the communities we serve, ensuring that local decision-making guides the future of our land. We currently own and manage 5 farmsites.
OPERATIONS
Boston Farms Community Land Trust (Boston Farms) turns vacant urban land into collective opportunity, supporting neighborhood farmers to grow the food that sustains us.
MISSION
Boston Farms was founded in 2017 by our close partner organization, the Urban Farming Institute (UFI). UFI teaches people how to grow and distribute food locally to foster healthier residents, neighborhoods, and economies. Boston Farms is the first of its kind, created to own and manage commercial farms for community benefit. The first community land trust (CLT) in the United States was formed in rural Georgia in the 1960s to protect the rights of Black farmers.
HISTORY
The produce grown on our farms is sold and distributed through various community outlets -- farmer’s markets, restaurants, farmstands, low-income food access programs, and direct donation -- as decided by each farmer. Food from sites operated by UFI are also part of the Dorchester Food Co-op’s 16 week CSA farm share, which runs from June 26th to October 9th, at a cost of $25 per week.
DISTRIBUTION
By 2022, Boston Farms will be a model entity for developing and providing access to urban farms. We will achieve this by creating a stable base of operations, founded in a viable system of (1) farm acquisition and development, (2) property management, (3) farmer leasing and support, (4) neighborhood stewardship, and (5) operational sustainability. For more information, please review our 2020-22 Strategic Plan.
STRATEGIC PLAN
Boston Farms partners with a variety of other land development, management, and construction organizations -- including YouthBuild, Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative (DSNI),the North Bennet Street School, and the Trust for Public Land. We are closely connected to neighborhood groups and associations - including the Garrison Trotter Neighborhood Association, Tommy’s Rock Neighborhood Association, and Mattapan Food & Fitness Coalition. Boston Farms is also a founding member of the Greater Boston Community Land Trust Network (GBCLTN), which increases support for community land trusts in the Boston area.
PARTNERSHIPS
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Boston Investments, Eastern Bank, Needham Bank, Zanec