Where Community Takes Root:The Story of Appleton Field Community Garden
In Scituate's quiet West End, where winding country roads snake through towering woods and historic farmhouses dot the landscape, something remarkable is growing. It's not just vegetables and flowers, its hope, connection, and a vibrant community rooted in the rich soil of 251 Clapp Road.
From Forgotten Field to Flourishing Garden
Appleton Field sat quietly for years within the Crosbie Family Preserve, a beautiful expanse of conservation land. Mrs. Appleton's generous gift to the town in 2003 held the promise of something special, but the 10-acre field waited patiently for its purpose to emerge. That purpose arrived in 2021 when passionate educators and community members Sally Rossi Ormon, Jonathan Belber, Freya Schlegel, and others envisioned transforming this open space into something the South Shore desperately needed: a community garden where neighbors could grow together, where teenagers could learn regenerative farming, and where fresh, organic produce could flow directly to local food pantries.
Building Something Beautiful, Together
With community support and a grant from the Town's Community Preservation Committee, the vision began taking physical shape. A protective fence rose around the perimeter, giving the garden breathing room from local wildlife. Volunteers spread cardboard, layered wood chips, and topped it all with rich compost. ADA-compliant paths and raised beds were installed, ensuring everyone in the community, regardless of physical ability, could participate in the joy of growing.
More Than a Garden
Today, Appleton Field Community Garden is a living classroom, a food source, and a gathering place. It's where:
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Children learn where their food comes from and develop environmental literacy that will serve them for a lifetime
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Teenagers gain skills in regenerative organic farming while providing fresh produce to local food pantries and soup kitchens
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Community members of all ages and abilities tend their own plots, share gardening wisdom, and build friendships over tomato plants and bean trellises
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Educators teach ecology classes, mycology workshops, and permaculture design principles
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The land heals through regenerative agricultural practices that build soil health and support the thriving ecosystem of the surrounding field and woods
Meet the Team
Director
Sally Rossi Ormon
Sally began her career in outdoor education with her position at Holly Hill Farm in Cohasset. She draws on her degree in biology to underpin the lesson plans she creates for her students. She was one of several people contacted by the Town of Scituate to develop a plan for the use of this town land set within the Crosbie Preserve.
An independent outdoor educator, Sally has taught Mycology at the Scituate Senior Center and for the Scituate Recreation Department. Sally's passion, commitment and expertise have been instrumental in taking Appleton Community Garden from idea to reality.
Assistant Director
Jonathan Belber
Jon has been working in farm education for over 20 years. His focus is on cultivating regenerative organic farming methods and teaching these methods to all age groups.
John has been successful in providing thousands of pounds of organically grown produce to food pantries and soup kitchens from Scituate to Boston, with the help of local teenagers from his "farm to food pantry program" at Holly Hill Farm.
Along with Sally, Jon was one of the people contacted by the Town of Scituate to develop a plan for the Town property within the Crosbie Preserve.
Treasurer
Bill D'Agostino
Bill is new to Scituate and new to gardening. After tending a garden for a few years after graduating from Northeastern University, he moved to the Washington DC area where he worked for 30 year as an Engineer. There was no opportunity for hands-on gardening.
After retiring, Bill moved to Scituate and
learned of the community garden -- a place where he could again get his hands dirty. He jumped at the opportunity to grow vegetables while also contributing to the community.
Bill had previously served as Treasurer for both his running club and his homeowners association, so he volunteered to manage the finances for the Friends of Appleton Fields.
Secretary and Graphics
Edward Malouf
Edward Malouf is an exhibit developer and
designer at his firm, Content•Design
Collaborative LLC. He has contributed his design work for the Appleton Community Garden project. The logo design and the plan design were expertly and generously created by Malouf.
Edward has been on board since the first
meeting and continues to be a driving force in all things Appleton Community Garden.
Outreach Coordinator
Freya Schlegal
Freya is committed to getting the work done to build the "community" in our Community garden. She has organized work parties, ensuring enough hands are on deck for the upcoming tasks.
One can regularly find her toiling away in her spare time, spreading wood chips or creating planting beds. When not at the Garden, she runs her professional massage therapy business in North Scituate.
Website Support
Gretchen Reynard
Gretchen moved to Scituate two years ago and discovered a passion for growing cut flowers in her backyard garden. This passion soon turned into a small business. When she needed more growing space, she found the perfect solution just across the street: Appleton Farms Community Field.
The partnership with Appleton has been ideal - Gretchen can expand her flower business while also supporting the Food Pantry with regular donations of fresh flowers.
Many Thanks!
A special thanks to all of the folks and organizations that have helped us along the way!
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Scituate Harbor Methodist Church - Thank you for hosting a really well run, fun Fish Friday night and donating the proceeds to our organization.
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Ken Swart - For playing many roles in helping this community garden form. Consultant, deliverer, guitar/drum player at the Fish Friday dinner etc... your help is so appreciated!
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Perini Tree Contractors - Wood chips
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Northern Oak Landscape - Wood chips
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Backhoe Joe
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Ken Fulton and Cohasset Golf Club- Waterboys water storage
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Frank Snow of Scituate Commission - Removal of old fencing and materials
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Andrew Gallagher - Helped to obtain funding for the fence and consulted about the best direction for the space to grow. He was instrumental in the creation of the community garden.
Some of our earliest planning meeting members (not including board members):
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Erika Zinsmeister - consulting
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Katina Bentley - consulting
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John Hitt - consulting
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Emily Matthews - consulting and web site development
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Carol Lieb - consulting, graphic design
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Erin Gold - consulting
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Jane McGuiness - consulting
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Sage Belber - consulting, hosting dinner, and web site design