Giving to the Community

Welcome to our 2025 Growing Season!

    The Community Garden

ONE NIGHT COUNTS

"Two of every five households in Rhode Island have difficulty affording adequate food" (RICFB) 

Fresh produce is often scarce in food pantries, which are typically stocked with non-perishables, canned goods, and shelf-stable items. While these foods help combat hunger and food insecurity, fresh fruits and vegetables helps to reduce the risk of health factors linked to poor diets without access to them.  Franklin Farm Community Garden is looking to help bridge the gap of farm fresh, naturally grown vegetagles to those experiencing food insecurities. Through partnerships with the RI Community Food Bank and local food pantries, these nutritious foods reach those who need them most.


The Franklin Farm Community Garden is run entirely by volunteers, like you!  

People of all ages are welcome to join us for Volunteer Nights in the garden! Help with a variety of tasks, from tending plants and weeding to harvesting and loading fresh vegetables for delivery. Our relaxed, fun Volunteer Nights have no required time commitment, making it easy to give back while enjoying the summer.

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 Volunteer Opportunities For All Ages

Volunteer to Help the Food Insecure

Volunteer Nights every Monday & Thursday, 5:30- 7:30 pm


Franklin  Farm Community Garden consists of volunteers like you!  We grow vegetables for the RI Community Food Bank and local food pantries.  Each week we offer Volunteer Nights. These nights are  a chance to give back by helping to tend, weed, pick and box vegetables.   Volunteering  is a great way to get outdoors and make a difference for your neighbor experiencing food insecurity! Tasks include: tending the plants as they grow, harvesting, boxing and transporting to the RI Community Food Bank and local food pantries! Please bring water & your own gloves.


No experience is necessary. 

All ages are welcome.

                                                                       Volunteer as often as you can!                                                                              

Pick the dates that you would like to help! 

Sign Up To Volunteer In the Community Garden

Volunteer as a Greeters and Team Leader Volunteers

Volunteer Nights every Monday & Thursday, 5:15- 7:45 pm


Team Leaders & Garden Greeters play a vital role in creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere during Volunteer Nights. You do not have to have experience with the garden to volunteer as a Greeter or Team Leader. Our Garden Coordinator and support team will let you know how to greet and direct volunteers during the Volunteer Nights. This is a great position for anyone who likes to meet new people. It is also a wonderful position for any student looking for leadership opportunities.  The time commitment is One Volunteer Night – or as many Volunteer Nights as you would like to volunteer!


Sign Up to Be a Team Leader                                  Sign Up to Be a Garden Greeter


Corporations/ Schools/ Community Groups

Creating Service Driven Experiences


If you are a Corporation, School or Community Group looking to bring 10 or more volunteers out to the garden, please E-mail US and our Volunteer Coordinator will get back to you with details about how you can create a memorable, team building experience that makes a difference!


The Garden Breakdown

October 4, 2025

The fall brings the cooler days and the preparation for the winter happens in the garden. We will be picking, pulling and removing throughout the day. We will also be organizing the tools, tallying totals and doing a bit of cleaning.  Open to all ages, there is something for everyone and all abilities!  Two shifts are available 9:00 am- 12:00 pm and 1:00- 3:00 pm or have fun with us all day!  Bring a lunch and join us for a picnic from 12:00- 1:00 pm!


Sign Up Here To Help With Breakdown


ONE POUND COUNTS

Our Vegetables!

While our first harvest began in 2006, in 2007 we thought, "Wouldn't it be fun to keep track of what we give???"...YES!  Thanks to Volunteer Chip Thurlow (aka the Garage King) and a host of helpers we do just that!  Each week harvested vegetables are weighed and sent off to those who need it most! 


The Farm Stand!

Our Farm Stand Vegetables is  a throwback to yesterday with our honor box & pay what you can system. In addition to providing our community with a way to access healthy vegetables, the donations received in the box help us to be sustainable. Knowing that One Pound Counts , motivates us to reach every year for new, better ways of gardening.  We are able to grow vegetables because of a community of volunteers that care!

100 TONS DONATED to the RI Community Food Bank!

On July 29, 2019, Franklin Farm Community Garden reached a significant milestone...to date we have donated 100 tons of farm fresh, naturally grown vegetables to the RI Community Food Bank! 

Read All About It!

Allotment Garden

Allotment Garden Program

Registration for the 2025 Growing Season is Sold Out!


The Allotment Garden (the AG) at Franklin Farm was established in 2014 to provide a place for people in the community to grow their own organic vegetables.  Bringing local folks together in a shared, outdoor activity has expanded Franklin Farm's reach and contribution to our community. 

The Season

The season runs from May 17, 2025 to September 20, 2025


🫑Rental Process

All plots are available on a first-come, first-served basis with preference given to those who had plots the previous year. A waiting list will be formed, if necessary. To reserve your plot, fill out the Application Form  along with payment. Full payment is required to reserve your plot. No refunds are given to gardeners once the community gardens open. 


🥬 Plot Description

Each plot is approximately 3’ wide x 20’ long. The plots are fully prepared by the Volunteer Farm Team to be ready for you to plant May 17th.  Preparation includes tilling, irrigation system, and weed barrier.  During the growing season your plants will be automatically watered and fertilized with a fish emulsion.  Composting is available on site.


Fee & Commitment

  • $100 Fee  Plus 8 Hours of Volunteering in the Community Garden, which grows vegetables for those experiencing food insecurities in RI, as a Team Leader or Garden Greeter. Hours are automatically recorded for you.

              *Limited Financial Assistance is available, please contact Franklin Farm with inquiries.


                     Sign Up HERE   for Team Leader.          Sign Up  HERE to be a Garden Greeter

       

👨‍🌾 Care of Your Plot

We ask that all Allotment Gardeners follow the guidelines described in the application.  We want your and other Allotment gardeners experience to be positive.  We have many resources available and encourage all gardeners to ask questions, seek advice and have fun! Connect with other Allotment Gardeners on our Franklin Farm Allotment Garden Facebook page to ask questions and meet other gardeners! 


Sharing Your Bountiful Harvest 

Sometimes there is an abundance of produce (specially during tomato season 🍅)!  We invite you to donate your extra bounty to Community Garden on Monday/ Thursday Volunteer Nights. 


Have Questions?  Contact us at.         ffallotmentgarden@gmail.com

Our Totals and Group Volunteers

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS

for making 2024 Growing Season so successful!

Your dedication to helping those experiencing food insecurity

has made a difference in our community!

Thank you for supporting our efforts to feed those experiencing food insecurity in our area!

All Donations from the Farm Stand Go Directly into Next Year's Growing Season

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Thank you also to the following Corporations and Groups that have helped us grow!

Community Groups & Schools

American Baptist Church, Exeter, RI

Arnold Mills United Methodist Church, Cumberland, RI

Bishop Hendricken Rugby Team 

Blackstone Valley Prep 7th Graders

Bryant University MBA Group

Brown University International Summer Studies

Brown University Emergency Medicine Residents

BSA Cub Packs:

1 Arnold Mills, 1 Diamond Hill, 12 Berkley Ashton

BSA Troops:

1 Arnold Mills, 1 Diamond Hill, 12 Berkley Ashton

CLB U11 Soccer Team

Community College of Rhode Island

Congregational Church in South Glastonbury, CT

Cranston Christian Fellowship, Cranston, RI

Cumberland High School History Class

Cumberland High School Ecology Club

Cumberland/ Lincoln Rotary Club

Cumberland Town Employees Night of Giving

Dublin Community Church, United Church of Christ, Dublin, OH

Evangelical Covenant Church, Attleboro MA

First Congregational Church,  Granby CT.

First Congregational Church, Coventry, CT

First Congregational Church of Westfield, MA


First Congregational Church of Burlington VTFour Corners Community Chapel Cumberland, RI

Greendale Community Church of Wisconsin

Girl Scout Troop 310 Cumberland, RI

Irons Homestead UCC, Glocester, RI

Lafayette Lodge #47, Cumberland, RI

Marlborough Congregational Church in Marlborough Ct

Mayflower Congregational Church, Grand Rapids, MI

McCourt Middle School 7th Graders (Plant Day)

New Life Church, Central Falls, RI

North Cumberland Middle School 7th Graders (Plant Day)

NRI Board of Realtors

OCYL Cumberland, RI

Praying Pelican Missions

Providence College

Rehoboth Congregational Church

Roger Williams University

Spurwink School

United Church Christ of CT

United Church of Christ of PA

United Church of Christ of WI

YMCA of Greater Providence


The Farm Stand is NOW CLOSED 

Thank you for supporting our efforts to feed those experiencing food insecurity in our area!

$2 per pound donation 

All Donations Go Directly into Next Year's Growing Season

The Farm Stand at Franklin Farm is a way for us to reach out to a wider community.  Our  vegetables help to provide our community with fresh naturally grown vegetables, provide a low cost alternative to those who may be experiencing food insecurity in our area and help the Community Garden be sustainable through donations received at the farm stand.   
Colonial Garden


Our Colonial Garden was designed by Julie Guerin to represent what would have existed in a traditional 1850s Kitchen Garden. Medicinal and Cooking Herbs, Cutting Flowers and Various Fruits fill the garden.  Classes on Colonial Garden set ups are available upon request.


                                                                  No Till Garden- An Experiment In Progress


No-till gardening is a method of growing plants where the soil is not tilled or dug, but rather covered with layers of organic materials like mulch, compost, and cardboard. 


Why are we trying this method?

We are interested in No-Till farming because of its numerous environmental and practical benefits. By avoiding traditional tilling, we can sequester carbon in the soil, helping to combat climate change while improving soil health. No-Till also reduces erosion and minimizes disruption to soil structure, preserving essential nutrients and microbial life. From a financial perspective, it requires less maintenance, equipment, and materials, making it a cost-effective and sustainable choice. Additionally, No-Till farming leads to less weeding and overall plant care, reducing labor needs while maintaining healthy crops. By repurposing compost, we can further enrich the soil naturally, creating a more resilient and productive growing environment.


Goal:

Test whether we can use No Till Methods to grow comprobable yields of vegetables as the same size space used for the Tilling Method


Volunteering in the No Till Garden is part of Volunteering in the Community Garden. You can SIGN UP HERE. 

On Volunteer Nights, Mondays & Thursdays 5:30- 7:30 pm you will check with our Greeter, if tending is needed in the No Till, then area will be an option. If tending is not required, then you will be referred to assisting in the larger Community Garden. 

Irrigation Team Valve Fix Video