There is an initiative in Milton to look at the Stoughton land (aka Town Farm) as an educational center with a farm based curriculum. At an upcoming meeting of the Board of Selectmen, likely in August, Paul Krasinski is going to follow-up on this concept for land left by Governor Stoughton to the town for the of the poor.
Illustrative Concept
Mr. Krasinski initially presented a concept of a farm based educational initiative at a previous Selectmen’s meeting ( see post here.) He has formed a group of advisors and potential investors and will be giving more detail to the concept at a future date. You can view a preliminary sketch done by Milton resident Bob Daylor to capture the spirit of the concept by clicking on the thumb nail on the right.
The Krasinski group state that “Through a ‘return to the land’ summer curriculum, less fortunate students from Milton and surrounding towns will engage in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills required to sow, harvest, price and market the products of the Town Farm.”
Krasinski’s idea was greeted with interest from the Selectmen. However, they stated that more information was needed, particularly with regard to finances. Mr. Shields told the Ledger, “They’re going to have to sharpen their pencils and show us a business plan before we can take a vote,” Shields said. “How are we going to make money off this so we can help the poor of Milton?” (The full text of that article is here.)
As it happens this is not the only educational effort in the area focused on farming as an instructional tool. Last month The Trustees of Reservations announced a partnership with the Yawkey and Blue Hill Avenue Boys & Girls Clubs to provide a program that will teach topics on framing basics, bee pollination, and the nutritional benefits of locally grown food. The goal “is to foster a connection to the land for the next generation through hands-on, agricultural experiences.”
The children visit the Trustees’ Powisset Farm in Dover. According to the announcement, “The farm-based curriculum will be closely aligned with MCAS standards and will offer opportunities for kids to extend their summer experience into the fall and winter. City Harvest Youth members will run workshops for other members of the two Boys and Girls Clubs to teach them about the importance of our connection to the outdoors and environment and their potential role as future stewards of the land.”
The Trustees are reviewing locations that are closer and more accessible to public transportation such as the Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate’s Cherry Hill Farm in Canton. You can learn more here.
Editor‘s note: A preliminary version of this post mistakenly went live stating that Mr. Krasinski would be presenting at the July 19th session of the Board of Selectmen, who are also the Trustees of the Stoughton land. This was incorrect. We apologize for the confusion.