Four years ago, a small group of Harvard citizens turned their dedication to sustainability and organic living into a tangible initiative. They, like so many others, yearned to harvest homegrown fruits and vegetables; they just needed a venue. They took their idea to the Conservation Commission, where it was fully embraced. With a unanimous vote, a 2½-acre parcel of land at the juncture of Littleton and Orchard Hill roads, part of the Coke Family conservation land, would now serve as the Harvard Community Garden. The land, which had been slated for agricultural use, was an obvious choice. It had served as a community garden in 1975 and had for a brief period housed plants cultivated by the Harvard Garden Club. Paul Willard, longtime Conservation Commission member and farmer, was one of the biggest supporters of the garden.

Carolena McCauly waters chives at the community garden. (Photos by Lisa Aciukewicz)

"Any time people are less dependent on someone else, no matter what it is, it is a good thing," he said. "And when you do it yourself and with your neighbors, it's even better. Besides, the product is always superior when it comes from your own garden."

The garden has 22 plots with 24 members. Plot sizes vary from 10 x 10 feet, 10 x 20 feet, and 20 x 20 feet. There is a limit to the number of plots a member can have, so that new gardeners can be welcomed. Additionally, there is a first-year charge of around 12.5 cents per square foot. Everyone is responsible for their own plot, but there are chores that need to be done by the whole group. According to community gardener Carolena McCauley, the garden is unofficially organized.

"There are garden rules that we all voted on," she says. "We are organic only. Also, we recognized certain things had to get done every year and different people stepped up for those jobs: Mark Hardy is in charge of mowing; Joe D'Eramo is the public works department. He keeps the water supply and pump working. Deb D'Eramo helps with the organization and administration. Susan Hardy was persuaded to be the treasurer. Pam Frederick purchased the mower and keeps it maintained. I handle the administration. Everything else that needs caring for is posted on e-mail."

The volunteers, who share ideas and learn through trial and error, are all dedicated to making the garden a success. Joe D'Eramo and his wife Deb of Warren Avenue have been members from the beginning.

Community garden plots stretch across a 2½-acre field on Littleton Road.

D'Eramo recounts the story of how he was standing in front of Town Meeting holding up an aerial map of the plot to attract new members: "Someone came over to me and said, 'You know there's a spring about a 100 feet back in there that we used to use when I was a member of the 1975 community garden'. Up until that point, I didn't know about the spring. So, I walked back in and was very happy to see it."

Now, the spring is the water source for the plots, and D'Eramo has developed a pumping system for distribution. D'Eramo, who was instrumental in the revival of the garden, takes great pleasure in tending to his patch of land. He is like many residents in Harvard who live on beautiful pieces of property that lack ideal growing conditions. His own property is plagued by ledge and abundance of shade; the community garden is a great substitute. Another member of the group, Worth Robbins, has been successfully growing kale, asparagus, and tomatoes on his 20 x 20-foot community plot for the last three years.

"I don't have suitable space or sunshine at my house," he says. "Also, having a community garden is a cool idea. It's a good use of conservation land as opposed to having a passive field and grass."

It is obvious from group member Carolena McCauley's sentiments that the garden cultivates more than food.

"What I've learned is that the Harvard Community Garden fills many different needs for its members," she says. "Some folks want to be around people with like interests. Some need a sunny space or just more space. Others want to learn about insect and weed control. And, some people just like to grow things."

There is one plot left for the season, so she encourages anyone interested to contact her at mccauleyc@charter.net.