Grow It Green Morristown kicks off capital campaign at ‘Alfresco at the Farm’

Gianna Gallucci, 2, Caylie Aquado, 5, and Nicolete Gallucci, 5, at 'Alfresco at the Farm.' Photo by Kevin Coughlin
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It’s a testament to the work of Grow It Green Morristown that a big crowd gathered on Saturday, despite rainy weather, to celebrate a major milestone for the nonprofit.

Five years ago, three Morristown ladies started the Community Garden on Early Street. Next came the Urban Farm at Lafayette, a teaching farm where the weekend’s Alfresco at the Farm fundraising bash was held under giant tents.

The time and place seemed right for one of the founders, Grow It Green President Samantha Rothman, to announce a capital campaign for the Early Street garden.

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Working with the town, Grow It Green Morristown secured more than $2 million in state and Morris County grants last year to preserve the 0.9-acre tract from development.

GARDEN PARTY: Gianna Gallucci, 2, Caylie Aquado, 5, and Nicolete Gallucci, 5, at 'Alfresco at the Farm.' Photo by Kevin Coughlin
GARDEN PARTY: Gianna Gallucci, 2, Caylie Aquado, 5, and Nicolete Gallucci, 5, at ‘Alfresco at the Farm.’ Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Now the goal is to expand the number of garden plots (only half the site is cultivated) to accommodate 75 families on a waiting list.  A walking path is planned for residents of a nearby seniors center to enjoy, along with a community pavilion for classes and a demonstration rain garden.

“It’s a beautiful, hands-on project,” Rothman said. “It’s more than growing food. It’s a public space.”

Orville McNally, a charter member of the Community Garden, summed up the place in three words: “Pleasure, friends, tranquility.”

He likes growing hot peppers and spinach, but really appreciates the “cool, down-the-earth people.”

Jayme Harvey, an architect, also has a plot at the garden. She was so enamored of the operation, she joined the Grow It Green board three years ago.

“I like the mission, of bringing people together around food and gardening. I’ve met so many people who I don’t meet in my day life,” Harvey said.

The Urban Farm has plenty to crow about as well. Rothman rattled off some impressive stats:

  • The farm has had 1,200 student visits this year.
  • Ninety percent of its crops were planted by kids.
  • Since May, 1,400 pounds of produce have been donated to the Interfaith Food Pantry, the Community Soup Kitchen & Outreach Center, and the Table of Hope.
  • Each week, in conjunction with Atlantic Health, the farm donates bags of fresh produce to Hispanic residents struggling with, or at risk for, Type II diabetes.

With underwriting from the Verizon Foundation, Grow It Green asked MorristownGreen.com to teach area middle-schoolers some video basics and turn them loose on the farm over the summer.  Stay tuned for more on that premiere.

All of this is more than Rothman ever imagined when she started Grow It Green with Carolle Huber and Myra Bowie McCready.  She said it quickly took on a life of its own as the public grew engaged.

“When the community jumped in, we knew we were here to stay. It was not just us anymore. Come here [the Urban Farm] on Saturday, and it’s packed,” Rothman said, amidst Saturday festivities that included live bluegrass music from West Circle Drive, farm tours and face-painting for the kids.

Catering was courtesy of Millie’s Old World Meatballs & Pizza, the Artist Baker, Strawberry Fields Frozen Yogurt and SmartWorld Coffee.  Marty’s Reliable Cycle donated tents for the occasion.

Grow It Green Morristown co-founder Samantha Rothman, right, gives a tour at Alfresco at the Farm 2014. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Grow It Green Morristown co-founder Samantha Rothman, right, gives a tour at ‘Alfresco at the Farm’ 2014. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Grow It Green now has so many moving parts that the organization is about to hire a full-time executive director.  For Rothman, the garden and farm are about personal growth.

“This was the best growing experience I’ve ever had,” she reflected. “I had to learn to work with so many people… how each person comes on with unique qualities and their own skill sets.

“If you trust everyone will put their best self into it, a project like this will work… Let people do what they’re good at doing. I’m just looking for someone who can control the weather!”

That person usually is Mayor Tim Dougherty, who has yet to see a single cloud at his annual Jazz & Blues Festival.

Yet Saturday’s forecast was ideal for Alfresco at the Farm, in his opinion.

“It couldn’t have been a better day, with a light drizzle,” the Mayor said. “That’s what you need to grow it green.”

For more information about Grow It Green Morristown’s capital campaign, contact Carolle Huber.

READ MORE ABOUT GROW IT GREEN MORRISTOWN

 

 

2 COMMENTS

  1. Just another example of why Morristown is such a special place. It’s where ideas can grow and we all benefit from the results.

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