City Of Waltham Acquires Former UMass Field Station And Farm

WALTHAM, MA — The City of Waltham has acquired the former UMass Field Station and Farm at 240 Beaver Street, said Mayor Jeanette McCarthy in an announcement Wednesday.

The Field Station, formerly owned by the University of Massachusetts, houses eight different nonprofits all working to advance local food systems and sustainability. In 2019, publicly announced a plan to close the facility and McCarthy submitted an application to secure Community Preservation Committee funds for purchase of the 28-acre site.

"Collectively these organizations have an irreplaceable & regional impact,” said McCarthy in a statement. "Closing would put all of the non-profits housed in the building at risk of eviction.”

Here is McCarthy’s full announcement on the acquisition:

Ward 6 Councillor Sean Durkee and I are pleased to announce that the City has acquired the former UMASS Field Station and Farm at 240 Beaver Street today.

I would like to thank the City’s bargaining team, Attorney Luke Stanton and Ward 4 Councillor and City Council designee, John McLaughlin who worked with me on this. I would like to thank Ward 6 Councillor Sean Durkee, and the entire City Council, both past and present for approving the funding from the Waltham Community Preservation Committee for the purchase. I would like to thank the City Auditor’s, City Treasurer’s, and City Clerk’s Offices for their assistance.

I would like to thank State Representative John Lawn whose State House District the farm is located for his tireless efforts in bringing this to fruition. I would like to thank Michael Barrett, the State Senator who represents the district of the farm, Representative Thomas Stanley and the entire State Legislature, House and Senate, for voting for the legislation permitting the sale to the City. I would like to thank Lieutenant Governor Karen Polito, Governor Charlie Baker and their staffs who facilitated this through the Executive Branch and signed the legislation enabling the sale to the City of Waltham.

Special thanks to UMASS General Counsel Gerry Leone and Executive Director Chris Dunn, representing UMASS and the UMASS Trustees and Officials who worked diligently through this process.

Lastly and most importantly, I would like to thank the taxpayers and the farmers who worked to make sure sustainable agriculture remains in the City of Waltham for generations to come, for all to enjoy and be healthy."

To learn more about the Field Station and the work they do, click here.