Growing Community: Newhall Fields Farm Receives Grant

PEABODY - Newhall Fields Community Farm (Newhall Fields) is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $750 seed grant provided by the New England Grassroots Environment Fund.

Newhall Fields is located behind the city-owned Tillie’s Farm Stand on Lynn Street in Peabody. Beginning as an all-volunteer herb garden, Newhall Fields has blossomed into a charitable organization dedicated to wholesome food growth, community engagement, the environment, and conservation. A majority of its harvest of vegetables and herbs is donated to the Citizens Inn Haven From Hunger food pantry in downtown Peabody.

“We are incredibly grateful for this generous grant from the Grassroots Fund,” said Jeannette McGinn, Newhall Fields’ director and president. “These funds will help us pay wages for the Newhall Fields’ farmer and farm-based educator.”

McGinn said that with Newhall Fields’ expanded mission and success, the board recently added the part-time paid position of lead farmer to oversee the day-to-day operations of the two-acre farm.

“Last year we grew over 2,000 pounds of food on ½ acre with the help of over 300 volunteers,” said McGinn. “Our volunteer base continues to grow exponentially and includes people of all-ages from all around the North Shore. People’s interest in locally grown food and doing so in a sustainable way is palpable,” she said.

One of those volunteers is Rebecca Ingalls, a local herbalist and Newhall Fields’ director. Ingalls said she is excited about the farm’s future role in the community. “We’ve established ourselves as a local hub for sustainable agricultural and herbal education," said Ingalls. Last year, Ingalls partnered with Peabody Recreation Department to lead a series of classes on herbs at the farm. “We’re growing community here and we always welcome new volunteers,” she said.

For more information on Newhall Fields Community Farm, please visit newhallfieldscommunityfarm.org or their Facebook page at facebook.com/NewhallFieldsCommunityFarm.

The Grassroots Fund is dedicated to co-creating healthy and sustainable communities throughout New England. The Grassroots Fund empowers individuals, groups and organizations working across a broad range of environmental and social justice issues. By helping them identify, select and access the specific tools, resources and connections they need to challenge existing systems, groups are able to develop lasting solutions to the complex problems affecting the places they live and the health of the people who live there. We’re supporting change makers who not only experience marginalization but face systemic and structural barriers to traditional funding. To learn more visit grassrootsfund.org.