The Natick Community Organic Farm (NCOF) received a $50,000 Program and Small Capital grant from the Yawkey Foundation to support rebuilding of its barn. The original barn was lost in a fire in 2021, and reconstruction will provide much-needed storage and community gathering space for events and education. NCOF plays an important role in the community, educating youth and families about sustainability, stewardship, and ecology. The Farm engages people across the lifespan in classes, volunteer opportunities, and passive recreation thanks to its 27 acres of farmland and protected forest and wetlands.
NCOF’s lands have been farmed continuously for over 350 years, and its modern-day organization was conceived in 1975 to create summer jobs for youth in the community. Today, NCOF is an integral part of the Town of Natick’s geographic and agricultural landscape and serves as a model for educational and community-based organic farms across Massachusetts and beyond.