The vision of Newton Community Farm is to preserve the
cultural and historical landscape of the Angino Farm as a uniquely beautiful,
open space with sustainable farming at the center of its activities.
The 2.25-acre Newton Angino Community Farm, located at the corner of
Winchester and Nahanton Streets, was farmed using traditional organic methods
for 300 years. The brick exterior of the house, the contents of the barn, the
outbuildings and structures, and the fertile soil of the farm reflect the
stewardship of the Italian-American Angino family from 1917 to 2005. Jerry
Angino, an educator and mentor for many of Newton’s youth during his career
as Newton’s first guidance counselor, established the farm as a place for
learning.
Newton residents persuaded the city to save the last working farm in Newton
as a community resource instead of letting the site be developed. In 2005 the
City of Newton purchased the Angino Farm and selected Newton Community Farm,
Inc. (NCF), a nonprofit organization, to operate and manage the farm with
oversight by the Newton Farm Commission.
In the spring of 2006, NCF hired Greg Maslowe, our first farm manager, to
grow a variety of vegetables, fruits and herbs using sustainable methods that
emphasize long-term soil health — including minimal tillage, green manures,
and compost — for the benefit of Newton citizens. NCF does not use synthetic
fertilizers. While the farm is not certified organic, Greg does not use
herbicides and he avoids the use of pesticides by using sustainable
agricultural methods. The biointensive and permaculture beds, and the
distribution of produce through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and
farmers’ markets, represent the cutting edge of sustainable, locally based
modern agriculture
