The seeds for Eastie Farm were planted in Spring 2015, when several East Boston neighbors, noticing the empty and overgrown plot at 294 Sumner Street, proposed the idea of starting a community farm. The idea took off quickly, with a growing group of neighbors coming together to plan, organize, and advocate for the farm, with local businesses jumping on board as well.
With the support of the Jeffries Point Neighborhood Association, a permit from the City, and the help of dozens of volunteers, we broke ground in August of the same year. The abandoned lot was quickly transformed into a clean, organized space that welcomes neighbors in with bilingual signage and artwork, flowers, and a dozen raised beds producing herbs, greens, and garlic that many members of the community have been able to enjoy.
Over the winter, our organization continued to grow and evolve, gaining 501c3 status as a nonprofit. Throughout the years, we have expanded our growing space at the Sumner Street location by adding additional raised beds, constructing a hoop house, and adding experiential learning zones for local youth to experiment with growing greens, vegetables, and flowers.
Where We Are Now:
Eastie Farm’s story does not end at Sumner Street! While we still steward and cherish our original site, we now have an additional site under our ownership that houses our office, geothermal greenhouse, freight container farms, and raised beds. Additionally, we are a partner of a shared growing space on Paris Street. Learn more about all of our sites here.
Take a look at more of what we’ve been up to below:
Mayor Janey’s visit for opening the space
Our blooming space at 294 Sumner Street, as seen in the Summer of 2025:
Eastie Farm Over the Years:
See our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information about us!