Programs Overview
Check out our 2013 Program Calendar
The projects and programs of Waltham Fields Community Farm (WFCF) are inspired by our mission, one that integrates
- Hunger Relief and Food Access
- Education
- Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
- Promotion of sustainable agriculuture
- We believe that farming is a valuable and honorable occupation.
- We subscribe to organic farming methods that respect natural systems and enhance the health of our environment and community.
- We celebrate the beauty of fertile fields and the taste of heirloom crops.
We are focused on supporting local hunger relief and food access efforts by providing fresh produce to emergency food programs in the Greater Boston Area; operating a special farmer's market for low income residents of Waltham, called the Waltham Fields Outreach Market; engaging in farm-to-school distributions with the Waltham Public Schools; and offering subsidized CSA shares. We have a goal of providing $50,000 or more worth of our fresh, organically grown vegetables through our food access programming.
We seek to reconnect people with the knowledge of how food is produced. Children and adults learn about plants, food production and farming when they come to WFCF to work in the fields and greenhouses and participate in our programming. Guided by experienced staff, field volunteers help sow seeds, transplant seedlings, weed and harvest crops. Educational programs include Children's Learning Garden Programs, adult workshop offerings, public events, special service learning opportunities, and our Farmer Training program for people who have had some previous experience on farms or in the sustainable agriculture field and are serious about pursuing farming as a career.
The Children's Learning Garden Program began in 1998 as a joint project with Cambridge Camping Association's Cambridge Adventure Day Camp. The program was set up to give inner-city youth the opportunity to learn about how food grows. In 2007, we were able to expand the number of children served by offering additional programs through the Waltham Recreation Department, and today we also administer a few of these programs ourselves.
Our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share program started in 1997 and continues to be our main revenue-supporting program which supplies over 500 households with fresh, organically-grown vegetables throughout the growing season.WFCF's community is defined by our location in an urban environment, members/donors who support us, our CSA shareholders, people that participate in our educational programs and offer their time and talents, and the extended network of groups who collaborate with us to support common goals. From WFCF's inception, members and volunteers have formed the core of our community.
