By Theresa Knapp 

Kristine Westland, Chair of the Holliston Community Farm Advisory Committee, provided a farm update to the Select Board at its March 15 meeting. 

Westland said, the committee: 

- Is seeking ways to get electricity to an upgraded panel 

- Installed a well but it needs power

- Installed a heater but it needs power 

- Will seek a grant for solar panels

- Noted the parking lot is complete

- Noted the new facility sign is done and beautiful 

Projects planned for 2022 include digging a trench to get electricity to the well and greenhouse, working with local Eagle Scouts to create a kiosk and prepare the trails for the spring, and building a pavilion. 

Westland said the farm faces a challenge with its plan to create restrooms. 

“We thought we could do a composting toilet which we thought was going to be in the range of $17,000,” funds for which the group had received from the Community Preservation Committee. “It turns out we don’t have the clearance to put it in; the design would have been good except for we don’t have the structure with the clearance underneath.” 

Westland said the committee is now considering a three-season outdoor prefabricated “bare bones” unit that has two stalls and is handicap accessible. It would rest on a 8x12 concrete slab and can connect into the existing septic. 

The prefab unit could cost between $40,000 and $50,000. Westland said her group will go back to the Community Preservation Committee for additional funds. 

During her report to the Select Board, Westland noted the farm’s garden plots were increased to 25 and they are sold out. She also said they are considering making larger plots and will also seek grants to create some raised beds that are handicap accessible. 

The farm is located at 34 Rogers Road and online at https://hollistoncommunityfarm.org/. For more information, visit them on Facebook and Instagram @hollistoncommunityfarm