Frequently Asked Questions
I want to start a garden, can you help?
We support all efforts to expand gardens in Springfield, however at the current time we don't have the capacity to fulfill all requests that aren't close to our home base in the Six Corners neighborhood. The Springfield Food Policy Council has some information that would be quite useful, and we can definitely point you in the right direction if you need some additional assistance.
Where are you located?
Our operations focus on the Mason Square/Six Corners neighborhoods of Springfield, MA. We have an office across from STCC at One Federal St, and our farm sites are located throughout the neighborhood.
Can I send you something?
Our mailing address is:
Gardening the Community
PO BOX 90774
Springfield, MA 01139
I want to support, but I don't like gardening. What can I do?
You can also volunteer with our committees, host a house party or other community-driven fundraiser, or let your friends know about our work! Check out our donation page HERE on the website for more details on how you can contribute (many thanks).
Why don't you charge more for your produce?
Although we find no fault in anyone that decides they want to take on this important work of growing food, and in doing so justifiably charge more for their produce, we operate under a different mandate. We have a constituency that may not be able to travel to places where high quality local food is available, nor are able to pay the cost of purchasing such food for their families, despite a willingness and need to eat better quality food. Therefore, we feel it is our mission to be one of many folks who grow food without the use of pesticides or herbicides, and are able to make the cost of these vegetables reasonable for our constituency.
My child wants to join GTC's youth leadership program, where do I go?
Click HERE for the youth application process. All prospective youth are urged to inquire online to begin the site visit and application process.
Are there other community gardens in Springfield?
Springfield has a growing urban agricultural infrastructure. Check our RESOURCE page for more information.
Can someone from GTC come and speak to my class?
We would be honored! Please check our contact page HERE or email [email protected].
I have extra plants, can I bring them to you?
We can take plants however we'd prefer it if you could let us know about the origin of the seeds/starts. We are strictly non-pesticide/herbicide in our agricultural spaces, and many big chain "superstores" sell plants with a less than desirable foundation, and we do not wish to support such industries (Buy Local first).
I'd like to write a story/shoot a video/interview your staff and youth, how can I arrange that?
Check our contact page HERE and let's talk about what is possible.
I have some bikes I'd like to donate, how can I get them to you?
Check the contact page HERE and let's discuss.
How does GTC keep running when you can only plant food in the summer?
Our program runs year-round through the generosity of the foundations, organizations, and individuals that know how important and dire the situation is in our city, and realize how crucial it is that local, nutritious, affordable food be a viable option for all, not a high priced novelty. We are also able to grow food year-round in our greenhouse at 200 Walnut Street, and sell food year-round at our farm store.
City soil must be contaminated, so how is it safe to grow food in Springfield?
We have the same concerns as we eat a lot of the food that we grow. One of our most important steps that we take is we bring in, and have been building our soil UP from the ground as it was. Our beds have multiple years of high quality compost, and utilize other techniques such as rotating our crops, and NEVER using any herbicides or pesticides.
Do you use pesticides or chemicals to grow your food?
If you got this far, I think we can both reiterate the sentiment together: no herbicides or pesticides, ever.
We support all efforts to expand gardens in Springfield, however at the current time we don't have the capacity to fulfill all requests that aren't close to our home base in the Six Corners neighborhood. The Springfield Food Policy Council has some information that would be quite useful, and we can definitely point you in the right direction if you need some additional assistance.
Where are you located?
Our operations focus on the Mason Square/Six Corners neighborhoods of Springfield, MA. We have an office across from STCC at One Federal St, and our farm sites are located throughout the neighborhood.
Can I send you something?
Our mailing address is:
Gardening the Community
PO BOX 90774
Springfield, MA 01139
I want to support, but I don't like gardening. What can I do?
You can also volunteer with our committees, host a house party or other community-driven fundraiser, or let your friends know about our work! Check out our donation page HERE on the website for more details on how you can contribute (many thanks).
Why don't you charge more for your produce?
Although we find no fault in anyone that decides they want to take on this important work of growing food, and in doing so justifiably charge more for their produce, we operate under a different mandate. We have a constituency that may not be able to travel to places where high quality local food is available, nor are able to pay the cost of purchasing such food for their families, despite a willingness and need to eat better quality food. Therefore, we feel it is our mission to be one of many folks who grow food without the use of pesticides or herbicides, and are able to make the cost of these vegetables reasonable for our constituency.
My child wants to join GTC's youth leadership program, where do I go?
Click HERE for the youth application process. All prospective youth are urged to inquire online to begin the site visit and application process.
Are there other community gardens in Springfield?
Springfield has a growing urban agricultural infrastructure. Check our RESOURCE page for more information.
Can someone from GTC come and speak to my class?
We would be honored! Please check our contact page HERE or email [email protected].
I have extra plants, can I bring them to you?
We can take plants however we'd prefer it if you could let us know about the origin of the seeds/starts. We are strictly non-pesticide/herbicide in our agricultural spaces, and many big chain "superstores" sell plants with a less than desirable foundation, and we do not wish to support such industries (Buy Local first).
I'd like to write a story/shoot a video/interview your staff and youth, how can I arrange that?
Check our contact page HERE and let's talk about what is possible.
I have some bikes I'd like to donate, how can I get them to you?
Check the contact page HERE and let's discuss.
How does GTC keep running when you can only plant food in the summer?
Our program runs year-round through the generosity of the foundations, organizations, and individuals that know how important and dire the situation is in our city, and realize how crucial it is that local, nutritious, affordable food be a viable option for all, not a high priced novelty. We are also able to grow food year-round in our greenhouse at 200 Walnut Street, and sell food year-round at our farm store.
City soil must be contaminated, so how is it safe to grow food in Springfield?
We have the same concerns as we eat a lot of the food that we grow. One of our most important steps that we take is we bring in, and have been building our soil UP from the ground as it was. Our beds have multiple years of high quality compost, and utilize other techniques such as rotating our crops, and NEVER using any herbicides or pesticides.
Do you use pesticides or chemicals to grow your food?
If you got this far, I think we can both reiterate the sentiment together: no herbicides or pesticides, ever.
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