Seeds of Solidarity Education Center

Seeds of Solidarity Education Center Inc. is a community based and nationally recognized organization Our tag lines are: Cultivating Hope, Educating for Change and Grow Food Everywhere. Seeds of Solidarity Education Center, Inc. (a 501c3 non-profit) and Seeds of Solidarity Farm share a 30-acre site in Orange. Previously neglected for many years, the site is now alive with market gardens and solar greenhouses. All buildings utilize energy efficient, sustainable building techniques and all electricity is derived from solar electric systems, including a new, small PV system powering refrigeration for our farmstand. We hold many of our programs onsite: the SOL Garden program for teens; workshops, trainings, tours and retreats for the general public, including free workshops on no-till gardening and an annual Grow Food at Schools workshop. We provide Grow Food Everywhere trainings to school districts and community organizations throughout Southern New England to help other communities organize around food self-reliance. We’ve just launched a new initiative, Grow Food Everywhere for Health and Justice that will increase access to fresh healthy food among low- income people via wellness gardens at community health center, food pantry, and social incubator sites as well as the homes of low-income families. Seeds of Solidarity is also the founder and fiscal sponsor of the North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival (held 1 mile away on a nearby farm), a phenomenally successful, almost zero waste event that builds our local food and culture systems, and promotes revitalization and education about the arts, agriculture, and renewable energy.