Cultivating Community

Co-founded by Myra Bowie-McCready, Carolle Huber, and Samantha Rothman, Grow It Green Morristown transformed a vacant lot into a thriving community garden. “The ladies saw the beauty of open space where others saw a junkyard,” says Shaun Ananko (known fondly as Farmer Shaun), executive director and director of agriculture and education at Grow It Green Morristown. 

“Working with Trust for Public Land and the Town of Morristown, and with the help of dedicated staff and volunteers, Grow It Green led the initiative to preserve the space for recreation and conservation as part of the Green Acres Program,” says Ananko. Now, the Early Street Community Garden provides over 70 individuals, families, and organizations the opportunity to grow their own food and flowers. The best part? The garden goodies are shared with neighbors via a street-side community donation bin.

Established in 2009, Grow It Green planted its roots at 31 Hazel Street in Morristown, behind the Lafayette Learning Center. Today, the farm brings together Morristown residents who might not otherwise cross paths through a variety of programs, including the Urban Farm Stand, the Winter Market, school gardens, fresh food donations, and community-supported agriculture (CSA). 

The staff at Grow it Green is essential to its ability to have so much positive impact in the community. In addition to Ananko, the organization depends on Farm Manager Marley Weaver, Farm Education Manager Kim Haupt, Operation Coordinator and Winter Market Manager Andeana Gonzales, Development Manager Adrienne Novak, Marketing and Operations Manager Jennifer Travers, Communications and Community Gardens Manager Madelyn Fama, Seasonal Farm Hands Tanner Adlard and Lenna de la Cruz, and bilingual Farm Stand Advisor Alison Argeuta. 

Education in Fresh Food

The Morris School District worked with Grow It Green to create New Jersey’s largest public-school garden in 2010. “This partnership brings farm-based education to the school district and Morristown community. Children learn where food comes from, how to care for our environment and experience locally grown, seasonally fresh food,” says Ananko. Six years later, Grow It Green teamed up with St. Elizabeth University, managing a historic greenhouse on the SEU Campus.

For preschool and elementary students, learning begins with exploration and discovery via classroom activities and visits to the farm to plant seeds, care for growing crops, and experience the excitement of harvesting and tasting vegetables that they’ve picked themselves. 

In high school, students participate in internship programs, environmental science classes, and volunteer opportunities. Interns work alongside staff, helping with weeding, harvesting, and washing and preparing vegetables. Offerings include tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, eggplant, zucchini, beans, and herbs such as basil, oregano, and dill.

To Everything, There Is a Season

In the spring, the farm works on soil preparation, early planting, and seedling propagation. Early crops consist of cold-hardy greens (spinach, kale, arugula), radishes, peas, and green onion. “Farmer Kim starts hosting second-grade children at the farm in April. We grow extra seedlings and host a Seedling Sale in April to raise money for our farm and summer activities,” says Ananko.

Summer brings the high harvest season, the farm stand and CSA. “Our CSA is a seasonal program where members can pay for their seasonal vegetables in the spring, so the farm has the funds to grow their vegetables all summer long,” explains Ananko. Members can visit the farm weekly, June through November, to pick up seasonal produce. 

The fall focus is on selling seasonal items like leafy greens and root vegetables. Time is spent winterizing the farm, finishing up the harvest, and planting winter crops. Winter tasks include greenhouse work and seed ordering. Winter crops for sale include garlic, kale, walking onions, lettuce, spinach, carrots, radishes, and beets. 

The Grow It Green Winter Market occurs December through April at the Convent Train Station in Morris Township and is one of a few weekly winter markets in New Jersey with over 900 visitors per week. “By hosting the Winter Market, businesses are able to reach the public during the slowest part of the year,” says Gonzales, Grow It Green’s Winter Market manager. “It allows businesses to stay engaged and staffed all year long.”

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Alfresco at the Farm

On September 19, Grow It Green will host Alfresco at the Farm, a free event for all ages that offers educational activities, food, live music and entertainment. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the festivities, including a gazpacho contest featuring local chefs and restaurants. For more information about becoming a sponsor to help keep the event free to the public, contact Adrienne Novak at adrienne@growitgreenmorristown.org.

Photograph by Antonietta Henry