The Farm at Long Island Shelter

The Farm at Long Island Shelter is a 4-acre organic vegetable, flower and herb farm located on Long Island in Boston Harbor. The Northeast Organic Farming Association certifies the Farm organic and recognizes it as using environmentally sound and sustainable agricultural practices.

Each year, The Farm produces nearly 30,000 pounds of high quality, first harvest produce for the over 850 homeless individuals we serve each day and has had a tremendous impact on the quality of food the individuals in our shelters and programs receive.

Beside delicious and nutritious produce for the people we serve, The Farm also provides hands-on job training, work-readiness skills, life skills and education for homeless individuals as part of the Serving Ourselves Job Training Program. Participants learn all aspects of food production; soil preparation, a variety of planting techniques, tending the plants, pest control, harvesting and marketing their produce at local farmers markets (approximately 15% is sold at Farmers Markets in Quincy and Boston which helps raise funds for the program).

The Farm also gives those in the Culinary Arts track of Serving Ourselves the opportunity to work with a wide variety of vegetables and herbs, and learn skills that would otherwise not be possible due to prohibitive cost, like pickling, drying, and cooking with fresh herbs.

The experience gained in these programs has led to permanent, gainful employment in the restaurant, food, horticulture and landscaping industries. For example, one employee started a landscaping business, on is working with a well-known florist in Boston and another is pursuing her education and employment in floriculture.

The Farm provides wonderful volunteer opportunities for individuals and for corporate or school community service projects. Land clearing, planting and harvesting while working side-by-side with program participants is a rewarding experience for all. If you, your company or school would like to join us for a day (or two) on our organic farm, please contact Mariann Bucina at (617) 534-2526, ext. 383 or via email at mariannbucina@fobh.org.