Massachusetts authorizes Waltham to purchase UMass Field Station

The Massachusetts Legislature has approved legislation authorizing the city of Waltham to purchase the current UMass Field Station, located at 240 Beaver St., a working farm that serves as a home to several local nonprofits in agriculture, farming and sustainability.

As of Nov. 18, the bill moves onto the governor’s desk for his consideration and signature, the final step in the process of enacting a new law in Massachusetts.

Two years ago, nonprofit groups at the station faced the prospect of eviction. The city of Waltham purchased the site, currently owned by UMass Amherst. Because UMass is a state agency, Waltham’s legislative delegation needed to pass a special law authorizing the sale.

“This is a win-win for the city and the tenants,” said state Sen. Mike Barrett, D-Waltham. “Huge tip of the hat to the Big Three in this dramatic story — Mayor McCarthy, the Waltham Land Trust and Waltham Fields Community Farm. Thanks to them, the one remaining working farm in the city has a long-term lease on life. The outstanding nonprofits on the site can continue to focus on what they do best: providing healthy, sustainable food choices for Waltham and eastern Massachusetts.”

In her will, executed upon her death in 1921, local philanthropist Cornelia Warren preserved a large portion of her estate for the Massachusetts Agricultural College, later UMass Amherst, so that the institution could offer advisory services to residents in the eastern part of the state interested in effective farming. Throughout a near-century of ups and downs for farming and gardening in Greater Boston, Warren’s vision is said to have held fast.

“This bill was a team effort. UMass, the current tenants, Mayor McCarthy, the Waltham City Council and Waltham’s state legislators worked together to preserve the use of the land for agricultural, open space and recreational purposes,” said state Rep. John Lawn, who represents Waltham alongside state Rep. Thomas Stanley in the Massachusetts House as Barrett does in the state Senate. “Thanks to good collaboration, Waltham, its residents and the dozen nonprofits, educational programs and community groups that use the space may continue to reap the benefits of the farsighted gift Cornelia Warren made 100 years ago.”

In April, the city council approved a $17.4 million purchase and sale agreement proposed by the mayor. After that, attention turned to Beacon Hill and the passage of legislation authorizing the sale. The legislation contains protections to ensure that the land can be used for open space, recreation or agriculture.

The property consists of a farm, greenhouses, a community garden and an administrative building, presently used by the Waltham Land Trust, Waltham Fields Community Farm, Boston Area Gleaners, Green Rows of Waltham Community Gardens, Grow Native Massachusetts, Mass Federation of Farmers Markets and Boston Area Climate Experiment.

“Waltham Fields Community Farm is deeply gratified to learn of this crucial advance and is so thankful for the support of our state legislators,” said Stacey Daley, Waltham Fields Community Farm’s executive director. “As a steward of sustainable farming practices at the Waltham Field Station for more than 25 years, Waltham Fields remains rooted in its mission to promote local agriculture and food access through its farming operations and educational programs. This legislation ensures that the fertile land at the field station will be limited to certain uses in perpetuity. We will protect the site’s rich agricultural history and its vital open space for generations to come.”

“The Waltham Land Trust is thrilled with the passage of legislation providing for permanent preservation of farmland and open space in the city,” said Sonja Wadman, executive director of The Waltham Land Trust. “The demanding experiences of 2020 highlight the incredible value that properties like these provide to Waltham and surrounding communities. It’s heartening to know that Cornelia Warren’s legacy of philanthropy and conservation will continue with the protection of this historic property for all to enjoy.”