As we traveled and met there, we had the opportunity to visit an educational farm. Natick Community Organic Farm (NCOF). At first glance, the site looks like many other structures of this type, but if you dig a little history and functioning, it becomes really interesting and inspiring.
The history of this place begins in 1974 under the impulse of two residents of « The Eliot Church » as well as Mark Winne, director at the time of the Youth Committee and « Human Resources » from the town of Natick. These three benefactors had the idea of offering young people in the region an opportunity to work together by producing food. The whole being valued financially through the sale of vegetables, eggs and dairy products. Mark Winne also wanted to offer summer activities to young people in difficulty in the surrounding area.
The project knew different places before it was on the current terrain. It would be too long to detail all the stages of history here, but what is really interesting is the gradual engagement of the city of Natick until today.
In 1980 Lynda Simkin was hired as director of the NCOF. The work and commitment of this woman has allowed the project to evolve until today, where the NCOF has an important place in the city of Natick.
The association now offers environmental education activities to schools in the city of Natick and young people in the region, a production of agricultural products such as vegetables, eggs, meat, flowers and maple syrup. These two activities account for two thirds of the structure's revenues. The budget balance is complemented by patronage and donations.
Today 8 people work on the site. Five people are employed by the association and the other three are employed by the city of Natick, but work exclusively on the site. The city also provides equipment and a vehicle to provide logistics for the place. We had the opportunity to spend some time on the site and chat with Nicky, who is in charge of communication, as well as with Margot who spent several weeks volunteering and then worked on the site for several months.
It has not always been simple, it is the life of collective structures, but what can be observed today demonstrates the success of a local project focusing on environmental education, food and social ties, demonstrating that community investment is possible and functioning.
One might think that these are political choices, but this is not so marked. Since the establishment of the farm, representatives of different currents have followed but at no time has the farm been questioned. It is assumed that the fact that the project is carried out by many local people and that the origin of the project comes from a religious community gives the association protection. That politics has no place. It should also be added that the status of non-profit association (« non profit organization ») has a very strong value here and brings together many people from different backgrounds.
To illustrate this enthusiasm, one can mention the fire that destroyed the main barn that housed animals. Reconstruction was financed by donors and patrons. Some have their names on parts of the barn. Thanks to this, the association today has a magnificent barn with a very modern greenhouse for the production of flowers.
For those curious who want to know more about this structure, you can visit the farm website https://www.natickfarm.org/
