DIVISION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND USE 

 Susan Redlich, Director 



COMMUNITY GARDENING 



We have helped develop gardens at 16 different state-owned lands 

 (hospitals, prisons, state parks) , serving youth, elderly, and people 

 on fixed income. We negotiate between the holding agency and garden 

 groups to make land available and trouble-shoot if problems arise. 

 Anyone can ask us for help in locating a spot at one oc the over 188 

 community gardens in the state, or assistance in developing a new 

 garden site. 



COMMERCIAL FARMING 



With thousands of acres of good agricultural land belonging to the 

 Commonwealth, we recognize that this resource, where not already being 

 used to raise food to supply state institutions, can be used productively 

 by local farmers and thereby bolster our agricultural economy „ Where 

 agencies are cooperative, we lease land for agriculture o Support is 

 needed for our attempts to see better utilization of state lands » 



RESEARCHING LEAD IN URBAN SOILS 



We've helped initiate and coordinate efforts to investigate the 

 extent of lead contamination of urban garden plants and soils, and 

 helped set up a program for any gardener to get free soil-testing for 

 lead. Participating in this effort are Boston Urban Gardeners, Inc. 

 Suffolk County Extension Service, v.'althain Experiment Station, and the 

 E.P.A, 



RTSOURCE MOBILIZATION 



In addition to providing information and referral services statewide 



for people involved in fanning or gardening, we work directly with ■ 

 agencies and community groups in getting programs started and tapping ™ 

 resources for community use^ Soil-poor community gardens received top soil 

 brought in by state trucks we pressed into service. We have sponsored 

 a feasibility study of large-scale organic waste composting that would _ 

 produce humus for re-building urban soils suitable for raising food. | 



EDUCATION 



Aware of the tremendous interest in gardening and farming activities 



