Staff Report
State Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper toured the Eastie Farm greenhouse located at 6 Chelsea Terrace on April 24.
site.
Undersecretary of Environmental Justice Maria Belen Power and Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle also took part in the tour of the facility that wss conducted by Joel Seidner, food and farming program manager at Eastie Farm.
Seidnder said that Eastie Farm is a grassroots organization. Its other sites are at 294 Sumner St. and 293 Border St.
the tour as Secretary Rebecca Tepper and Undersecretary Maria Belen
Power listen to the presentation inside the greenhouse.
“Today we’re giving a tour and answering questions about Eastie Farm,” said Seidner. “We’re showing officials some of the equipment that we have and some of the positive impacts that Eastie Farm uses and demonstrates in improving energy use and creating more efficient agriculture in the face of climate change.”
The tour also showcased the organization’s hydroponic farm and four-season geothermal greenhouse, along with a review of future projects.
Sec. Tepper said of her visit to Eastie Farm, “Transformative organizations like Eastie Farm demonstrate how local communities can improve access to healthy foods and welcoming green spaces in cities. “Neighbors in East Boston came together and reenvisioned an empty lot into a thriving community space that supports environmental education and food justice. Our visit to Eastie Farm is an important reminder that anyone can take climate action.”
“I’ve had the pleasure to visit Eastie Farm several times before and we’ve actually helped through our urban agricultural grant program to provide funding to some of things that we’ll see inside the greenhouse today, which were funded through our department,” said MDAR Commissioner Randle. “Our grant program is now in its eleventh year helping urban farms across the state with land access and infrastructural improvements.
“Our grant program helps with soil remediation efforts as well, and Eastie Farm has been a great example with that, while engaging with youth in the community and all the youth programming that they do to help grow food within the community and also distribute food outside the community,” added Randle.
State Sen. Lydia Edwards and State Rep. Adrian Madaro thanked Sec. Tapper and Commissioner Randle for their visit and their support of Eastie Farm.
“I want to thank them for coming to Eastie Farm,” said Edwards. “It’s crucial that the Commonwealth sees part of our education system as hands on and outside of the classroom. We hope to continue to have the Commonwealth and the City of Boston’s support.”
Said Rep. Madaro, “Secretary Tepper, Undersecretary Power and Commissioner Randle’s visit to Eastie Farm exemplifies that the organization continues to serve as a statewide model for local, sustainable, equitable food operations that leave a positive trace on our environment. I’m proud of its impact on East Boston and Massachusetts more broadly.”