WELCOME TO THE FAMILY FARM!
Located between the South Shore YMCA’s Early Learning Center in Hanover and the Emilson branch of the South Shore YMCA in Hanover, the SSYMCA Family Farm exists to provide the community and our visitors with tangible learning experiences in organic farming.
Location
- 1075 Washington Street Hanover, MA, 02339
- The SSYMCA Family Farm is located immediately behind the SSYMCA Early Learning Center.
- Enter the Family Farm via the ELC entrance on Route 53 and proceed to the back of the building/parking lot.
Mission and Purpose
The South Shore YMCA Family Farm invites visitors, students, and SSYMCA summer campers to participate in hands-on learning while giving back to the community. This previously vacant land has been brought into cultivation using sustainable and ecologically sound practices, integrating with the natural landscape. The farm supports the mission of our YMCA by providing educational opportunities and growing fresh produce to donate to food pantries, such as the Hanover Food Pantry and the South Shore YMCA Food Pantry.
Volunteering
Volunteers are crucial for the farm’s operations. Individuals, families, and groups volunteer their time to help with all aspects of the farm, such as planting, weeding, harvesting, composting, and mulching. Volunteers also help with special projects, such as building picnic tables, benches, and flowerbeds.
CONTACT
For Volunteering Opportunities
Dan Berry, dberry@ssymca.org
To Support The Farm Through Donations and Corporate Engagement Opportunities
Mary Orne, morne@ssymca.org
Family Farm Fun Volunteer Saturdays
Want to learn about farming and gardening while helping to prepare our Family Farm for planting and growing beautiful flowers and fresh produce? Come volunteer on our Farm! Open to the community and children and families of all ages are welcome.Saturdays, 10am-12pm
South Shore YMCA Family Farm
1075 Washington Street Hanover, MA, 02339
Education
Children enrolled at the Hanover Early Learning Center and at Camp Gordon Clark at the Emilson branch are able to walk to the farm with their groups, where they experience firsthand how to grow food and care for nature. With child-sized tools and interactive features, the farm is designed to engage children’s natural curiosity while providing a safe environment for exploration.
Feeding Our Food Pantry
The majority of the produce grown at the SSYMCA Family Farm is donated to local food pantries, where fresh foods are not typically available. It is critical to the farm’s mission, as well as the broader mission of the South Shore YMCA, to promote healthy living by making these fresh foods available to those in need.
Donations & Support
Our SSYMCA Family Farm is a free community resource made possible thanks to volunteer support, donations from our community, and grant funds. To support our Family Farm through donations, visit ssymca.org/give/donate
Donate to the SSYMCA Family Farm
The South Shore YMCA is a shared community resource for the town of Hanover and beyond. Please consider a donation to help keep this vibrant farm growing for years to come.
Donate
