News
April 2015
This Spring, TNGS Co-Founder, Erika Rumbley, was profiled by The Beginning Farmer Network of Massachusetts. "She values the immersive, mindful experience of harvesting cabbage with her crew for seven hours in the fog. At the same time, she also values a more social practice, sharing the transformative power of her work with others. She is aware that on the inside and outside, she is deeply privileged to do this work." Read on for Erika's thoughts on stretching, social justice and building regional farm infrastructure for the long haul...
March 2015
As the days getting longer, its a hopeful time of year to discover the interdisciplinary world of plants. 30 inmates are participating in the 2nd Annual Winter Horticulture Intensive, a 6-week classroom-based course in the fundamentals of horticulture. Our students begin with Botany and Soil Science and make their way all the way to Garden Installation and Maintenance. Our incarcerated students are learning the building blocks of working with plants.
February 2015
This winter, The New England Grassroots Environment Fund and The Boston Skillshare Collective provided generous funding for our Winter Horticulture Intensive. This training in core horticulture concepts lays the foundation for our hands-on work in the greenhouse and prison yard. Let's get ready for Week One: Botany. Thanks for the support!
January 2015
Photo Credit: Caro Roszell
What an honor to share our work with a full room of farmers, gardeners and food activists at The NOFA Winter Conference earlier this month. Renee and Erika's workshop, Prison Gardens: Strategies for Therapy and Job Training, explored the strengths of prison horticulture programs in the face of mass incarceration and shared the nitty gritty of growing food and flowers 'on the inside.'
November 2014
We're a non-profit! After a year of hard work, we received our 501(c)(3) status. We're deeply grateful to our lawyer who provided pro bono legal council and to our supporters who gave generously in our first growing season. A toast! To many years to come of sharing the healing, hope and opportunity of horticulture with our neighbors in prison and beyond. Want to make a tax-deductible gift? Checks may be mailed to The New Garden Society - 31 School Street - Somerville, MA 02143.
October 20, 2014
Our Fall Advisory Committee brought together colleagues from the fields of horticulture, social work and higher education. Together, we developed strategies for outreach and fundraising. We look forward to quarterly gatherings with these sharp, compassionate minds.
October 6, 2014
The New Garden Society gathered for our Fall Staff Meeting tonight! What a gift to sit down together when we are all moving ahead at top speed!
September 2014
Part of the TNGS team visited Dismas House's family farm in Oakham, MA for their annual Fall Festival! We got to speak to residents, board members, and the people behind it all. It was a beautiful day for a great event! Check out their website to learn more about Dismas House and the awesome work they do: http://www.dismashouse.org/
