Community Cornerstone of New Community Garden at Wheaton Farm

Submitted to Easton Patch:

It was still raining at 7:00 Saturday morning, May 11, but by 8:00, the rain had stopped and by 9:30 the sun was trying hard to peek through the clouds.  It was going to be a fine day for the ribbon cutting ceremony at the new community gardens at the Wheaton Farm in Easton.  “I asked the Great Spirit to shine on us this day”, said Bill Bean, a local Native American who blessed the land before the ribbon to the garden was cut.

“This garden is possible because of the community effort put into it”, said Todd Sandstrum, vice chair of the Agricultural Commission.  “The gardens are a collaboration between the Easton Agricultural Commission, the Conservation Commission and the Wheaton Farm Committee”,  Sandstrum said at the ribbon cutting ceremony.  Deer fencing was provided by and constructed under the direction of Eagle Scout candidate Maxx Fioriti.  Irrigation for the gardens was made possible by a generous donation from Avery Lee Williams.  “I’m hoping others follow my lead” said Lee, who is himself an avid gardener. 

For many years the NRT Sheep Pasture has hosted a community garden in the northern part of Town.  The new gardens at Wheaton Farm provide gardening plots to residents living in the south part of Easton and will provide residents with the opportunity to grow their own vegetables resulting in healthier, more natural diet options, a healthier ecosystem, and cultural growth.

The fields where the new gardens have been established are managed by the Conservation Commission.  According to Ed Hands, an Easton historian, the area was first farmed by Native Americans, who also had an encampment nearby.  The land remained in agricultural use even after the Town acquired it for permanent protection along with abutting undeveloped parcels.  The fields were leased to local farmers for a number of years.  After the last farmer stopped planting, the fields remained inactive. 

The garden is located next to the Wheaton Farm parking lot, opposite Wheaton Farm barn, on Bay Road just south of the intersection of Prospect Street. Fifteen plots are available this year.  The Agricultural Commission plans to offer a section of raised beds next year to allow more residents the opportunity to garden.  The annual fee of $75 for a full size plot (20’ x 20’) includes use of the garden plot and water.

Wheaton Farm covers over 1,000 acres of protected open space including meadows, forests, and waterways in addition to the new community garden.