The Growing Center turned 30 in 2024!
Thanks to everyone who donated to our 30-30-30 Campaign.
We had a simple goal: 30 Years. 30 Weeks. $30,000.
And we CRUSHED it!
Share Your Memories!
We're asking folks to share your favorite memories of time spent at the Growing Center over the last three decades!
Take five minutes to submit your story:
bit.ly/scgc-memories
Photos from our 30th Anniversary Kickoff, October, 2023.
30th Anniversary Events:
30th Anniversary Kickoff Event
Saturday, October 14, 2023
at the Growing Center
Garden Party Fundraiser
Saturday, May 18, 2024
(private home)
FUN-raising Party
Saturday, June 29, 2024
2:00-5:00 pm
at the Growing Center
View our 30-30-30 Campaign Video!
30th Anniversary Projects
We are launching several projects as part of our celebration of 30 years as a beloved community gathering space and home for urban agriculture, cultural events and nature education!
Strategic Planning Process
At the end of 2022, The Friends of the Community Growing Center (FCGC) launched its first-ever Strategic Planning process. The associated committee is working in close partnership with the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee to align plans around the mission to be inclusive and accessible, and evolve to serve the changing landscape of Somerville residents.
In the winter/spring of 2023, Strategic Planning efforts were supported by a team of graduate students from the Tufts Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning. The research being done by the Tufts students has helped the FCGC undertake a deep analysis of where the Growing Center has been successful in the past, and the opportunities for growth in the future.
As we get closer to 2024, we plan to fully flesh out this plan, which also includes organizational and administrative changes, more transparency, and an Annual Report that will look back through our history at some of our accomplishments and think forward another few decades at where we're headed.
Read more about the Strategic Planning process in this blog post from the spring of 2023, which includes info on how to get more involved.
Share Your Memories of the Somerville Community Growing Center!
As part of our celebrations around turning 30, we are gathering stories and memories from across the past three decades, in addition to looking to the future! We're asking community members from near and far to share your memories of time spent at the Growing Center, friends you've made, or programs/projects that particularly engaged you or your family.
How to Submit Your Story:
To submit your memories and stories, visit:
We also accept photos through the above link!
We appreciate your passing along word of this opportunity with people who have known the Center in various ways throughout the years.
Media Archive & YouTube Channel
One component of the Growing Center’s archival project is the documentation of all media coverage of the Center. Interns and volunteers have been helping to digitize our media coverage to make it accessible to the public. See our progress here. Additionally, Somerville resident volunteer Greg Hill is working with the FCGC Board to build a brand-new YouTube channel for the Growing Center, which features some of its earliest video footage. Visit it at:
Send us your photos!
We welcome digital photos from events and work days at the garden from the past three decades! Folks can send them to 30th@thegrowingcenter.org (preferably with date/event/people listed). Hard copies can be mailed to:
FCGC
PO Box 76
Somerville, MA 02143
Please pass along word of this opportunity to people who have known the Center in various ways throughout the years.
Our Story
In the fall of 1993, a group of community activists, volunteers, high school students, elected officials and neighbors came together to break ground on a quarter-acre sized parcel of hilly land outside of Union Square to build what was to become the Somerville Community Growing Center, a brand new model for community gardens across the country. The Center opened in the spring of 1994 with a full season of public events for all to enjoy. (Read more about our history on our site and history page.)
