Support the use of town land for a community farm and education center

The mission of the Needham Community Farm Committee (NCFC) is to create a center for environmental education for the Needham community, with a focus on teaching organic farming methods and sustainable living practices.

This past spring, we began a pilot program at 1147 Central Avenue, adjacent to the Needham Historical Society and the Newman Elementary School. Newman students were able to plant seeds in the classroom, watch them grow and transplant them in our gardens. Community members volunteered to water and weed over the summer and in August we began harvesting. Most of our produce was donated to the Needham Community Council Food Pantry.

The NCFC is looking for a permanent location, where we can fully realize our mission to provide hands-on educational and community building opportunities for all Needham residents. We believe the Nike site would be the best location for this project. This is an opportunity to recognize the local and global necessity of building sustainable communities, promoting sustainable land and resource use, and self-sufficiency. This center will also provide residents of all ages and interests with an opportunity to be outdoors, get exercise and learn skills which will be a catalyst for positive change in our community.

If you are in support of using open space for the purpose of creating a community farm and education center, please sign this petition.

Addendum: It should be noted that the intention of this petition is both to show that the residents of Needham recognize the value that a farm and education center would bring to this community, and more specifically, that they approve of the use of the Nike site for this purpose.