Urban Farming Institute

UFI VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER 2018

The Impact of Volunteers on Our Farms Since 2012, UFI has enlisted thousands of volunteers from

local colleges, universities, elementary through high

school students, community groups, corporations, local

business, churches, temples and mosques. All of the

volunteer work that goes into planting, weeding and

harvesting, is needed and crucial for us in how we

cultivate the land, grow and deliver food. For every

growing season, getting all of the work that we need

done, wouldn’t be possible without the help and support

of our amazing volunteers.

Welcome to the inaugural issue of the UFI Volunteer

Newsletter. We want to keep the community updated

about all the work that goes into helping keep our

urban farms up and running. We strive to grow fresh,

healthy and local produce in Dorchester, Roxbury &

Mattapan. The hard work our volunteers put into our

farms is beneficial and critical for our success and the

community’s benefit!

Volunteers from Blue Cross Blue Shield

Boston Police Department Teen Academy

Children’s Services of Roxbury

UFI produced an amazing

16,125 lbs. of fresh, locally

grown produce at our seven

urban farms located in

Mattapan, Dorchester &

Roxbury!

FEEDING THE COMMUNITY

ANOTHER WINTER…WHAT’S NEXT? As the seasons change, so does the work that we do. We

transition from weekly planting to weekly planning, to get

us ready for the next growing season. Volunteers always

ask, “What do you do for the winter?” Well, we pull up our

plants, except the ones we keep for green manure; Those

plants get mixed into the soil in the early spring. We put

away all of our tools, stow away any farming equipment,

do some cleaning and lock the gates. The entire UFI staff

spends the winter months preparing for the hard work

ahead once the spring arrives.

“We had the pleasure of working with over 740 volunteers

at the farms this season. From setting up beds, sowing

seeds, to harvesting, to cleaning up and closing sites for

the winter. Our work would not be possible with the

support of our awesome volunteers.”

– Tristram Keefe, Farm Enterprise Manager

The New Home of the Urban Farming Institute The historic 2,900-square-foot farmhouse was built between

1786 and 1806, while the 3,000-square-foot barn was built in

1860. Five families have owned the property over the past 230

years, with three of them leaving the biggest influences: The

Fowlers, the Clarks and the Epstein’s. The Fowler family owned

it in the 1700s when the estate was as large as 330 acres.

2018 OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERS

MILTON ACADEMY 2018 UFI OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERS

Milton Academy students have work with UFI for

several years and have been an integral part of the

success of our farms.

The students’ days are organized by the Milton

Academy Community Engagement Programs and

Partnerships (CEPP), which seeks to instill and support

a passion for service learning in Milton Academy’s

students, faculty and staff. On average, more than

200 students make weekly commitments to more

than 20 different partner organizations in the Greater

Boston area.

First Day Hike w/ UFI & Hike4Life

Tuesday, January 1, 2019 12PM – 4PM

Join the Urban Farming Institute and Hike4Life for the

2019 First Day Hike & Family Fun Day! We'll be

departing from the Fowler Clark Epstein Farm in

Mattapan at 12PM and heading to Houghton’s Pond for

a hike on the Easy Trail. After the hike, we'll head back

to the farm for hot cocoa and apple cider.

Wear Sturdy Footwear - Dress Warm

Register at: info@urbanfarminginstitute.org CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2018 FARMER

TRAINING PROGRAM GRADUATES urbanfarminginstitute.org 617-989-9920

FOWLER CLARK EPSTEIN FARM