Mill City Grows Inc

MILL CITY GROWS, INC. FOSTERS FOOD JUSTICE BY IMPROVING PHYSICAL HEALTH, ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN LOWELL THROUGH INCREASED ACCESS TO LAND, LOCALLY-GROWN FOOD AND EDUCATION.

URBAN FARM: OUR EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTION FARMS ENGAGE RESIDENTS IN EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS, HANDS-ON FOOD PRODUCTION AND VOLUNTEERISM. MCG STAFF OPERATE THE FARMS. IN 2022, WE ALSO BEGAN OFFERING PLOTS TO MARKET GARDENERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN GROWING CULTURAL CROPS FOR THE COMMUNITY OR ESTABLISHING SMALL FOOD BUSINESSES. WE ALSO WELCOME HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS AND NUMEROUS LOCAL YOUTH GROUPS WHO DONATE TIME TO SUPPORTING URBAN AGRICULTURE. GARDENERS ACCESS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SUPPLIES; THOUSANDS OF POUNDS OF PRODUCE IS GROWN AND DISTRIBUTED INTO THE COMMUNITY EACH YEAR. A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE, THE FARM DEMONSTRATES HOW HEALTHY, LOCAL FOOD CAN BE AN ECONOMIC STIMULATOR. MOBILE MARKET: OUR FARM STAND ON WHEELS, OPERATING THROUGH THE SPRING, SUMMER, AND FALL, PROVIDES CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE PRODUCE IN LOW ACCESS AREAS. CUSTOMERS CAN ACCESS PRODUCE FOR FREE USING VARIOUS INCENTIVE PROGRAMS INCLUDING THE MASSACHUSETTS HEALTHY INCENTIVE PROGRAM. WE ALSO OPERATE INDOOR MARKETS IN THE WINTER. STARTING IN 2020, WE BEGAN A COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE PROGRAM, OFFERING A WEEKLY ALLOTMENT OF SEASONAL PRODUCE FOR HOUSEHOLDS THROUGHOUT LOWELL.

FOOD EDUCATION: OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMS INCLUDE: IN-SCHOOL, AFTER SCHOOL AND OUT OF SCHOOL GARDENING AND NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN, GRADES K-12; MAINTENANCE OF SCHOOL GARDENS AT LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS; PROVISION OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN GARDENING EDUCATION TO EDUCATORS; FARM TO TABLE COOKING CLASSES FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES OFFERED IN PERSON AND ONLINE; AND PROVIDING RECIPES AND NUTRITION INFORMATION IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES FOR PARTICIPANTS IN OUR PROGRAMS.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS: MILL CITY GROWS' COMMUNITY PROGRAMS INCLUDE OUR COMMUNITY GARDENS AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION. OUR TEAM OVERSEES THE GARDENS, PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, GENERAL OVERSIGHT OF THE GARDEN AND SUPPORT FOR VOLUNTEER GARDEN AMBASSADORS, WHO BUILD STRONG COMMUNITY NETWORKS IN THE GARDENS. OUR COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAMS INCLUDE OUR GARDENER TRAINING PROGRAM: A SERIES OF WORKSHOPS WHICH PROVIDE PARTICIPANTS WITH THE HANDS-ON KNOWLEDGE NEEDED TO GROW AND EAT FOOD ORGANICALLY AND SAFELY IN THE CITY; AND THE GARDEN AMBASSADORS WORKSHOP: A WINTER LEADERSHIP COURSE DESIGNED TO TEACH THE TECHNICAL SKILLS NEEDED TO OVERSEE ONGOING GARDEN MAINTENANCE AND PROVIDE RESIDENT LEADERSHIP IN THE GARDEN COMMUNITY.