Locally-grown food is healthy food, and not only is it the freshest possible produce, it reduces the use of fossil fuels in the transport of food from far away.
Greenbelt supports the production of locally-grown food through farmland conservation, and by owning and managing two community gardens: Young Farm in the Lanesville section of
Gloucester and Dodge Farm in Wenham.
Each growing season, gardeners reap a harvest of vegetables in their own plots at these community gardens.
Required dues for community gardeners is Greenbelt's annual membership at the supporter level ($55), which covers one garden plot.
The number of plots at each community garden are limited. Young Farm is full for this year.
However, we are taking applications for this year for the Hamilton-Wenham Community Garden.
New Prospective Gardeners: If you are interested in becoming a gardener,
please email Dave McKinnon at Greenbelt to learn
about availabilities.
Young Farm
In 1984 the Young family donated their property to Greenbelt. Historically, the property had been tended as a dairy farm.
In 1985, one of the founding garden members suggested that Greenbelt establish a community garden, and retain its agricultural heritage. It wasn’t until 10 years later in 1995 that the
garden was finally founded by Greenbelt and a handful of Lanesville residents.
The Young Farm Community Gardens have 42 plots and are located on High Street in the Lanesville Village of Gloucester.
Each year, there are two mandatory cleanup days, one in the Spring and one in the Fall.
Located on Porter Street adjacent to Pingree Park in Wenham, the Hamilton Wenham Community garden features 56 garden plots (4'x12') , a community blueberry patch, and a butterfly garden.
The garden was founded in 2012 by a group of volunteer gardeners working with the Hamilton Wenham Open Land Trust (HWOLT).
In 2022, Greenbelt acquired the land from HWOLT and has since made improvements to the walking paths and the tree farm.
Parking spots are available at Pingree Park beside the tennis courts, and three additional spaces are available off of the Porter Street entrance.