The Lincoln Squirrel – News, features and photos from Lincoln, Mass.

conservation

Lincoln residents can get discounts on solar installation

A rooftop solar array in Chicago (image courtesy Wikimedia Commons)

Lincoln is one of three towns selected by the state to participate in Solarize Mass, a program where residents can get lower pricing from an approved vendor of residential rooftop solar installations.

Sponsored by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Council (MassCEC), Solarize lets residents of a community to enter into a competitive pricing agreement with a preferred solar installer following a vetting process. Representatives from Lincoln, Wayland, and Sudbury’s energy committees are working with MassCEC to promote solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar hot water for residential rooftop installation. This program helps consumers by keeping costs lower—historically, up to 21% lower—and ensuring that installations are of high quality. Lincoln participated in the same program five years ago.

“Following the success of the 2012 Solarize Lincoln program and building on the increasing momentum of greener energy among residents means the time is ripe for another round,” said Jennifer Haugh of the Green Energy Committee (GEC) in a press release. “We’ve seen so much interest and excitement among residents, and it’s clear our communities are ready.”

In addition to finding a vendor for solar photovoltaic, the three towns were also selected to engage in a pilot project, Solarize Plus, which will engage a separate vendor to offer solar hot water. Unlike solar photovoltaic, which converts direct sunlight to electricity, solar hot water transfers heat from the atmosphere directly to a hot water tank in the home. This technology can be more forgiving of shadier rooftops but may require ongoing investments and maintenance.

In the coming weeks, GEC members will work with MassCEC and the towns of Wayland and Sudbury to accept and review bids for both solar photovoltaic and solar hot water providers. The team expects to announce a winner and launch the program this summer.

Since its launch in 2011, 58 cities and towns have participated in Solarize Mass, resulting in more than 3,400 new small-scale installations at homes and businesses totaling 20.6 megawatts of solar capacity.

Bylaw change maximizes rooftop solar

Residents voted at Town Meeting in March to remove a zoning bylaw setback requirement on rooftops, which will create additional space for rooftop solar arrays. GEC member Jim Hutchinson, who presented the warrant article, said the measure could make the difference for some Lincoln residents looking to install solar on smaller rooftops.

“In one case, that [former] one-foot setback requirement reduced the amount of rooftop available by 44 percent,” he said. “Having more viable space makes the decision to go solar that much more feasible for homeowners.”

A related bylaw change increased the maximum allowed height for ground-mounted solar from 10 feet to 12. The Planning Board may also now grant waivers to the solar installation requirements on a case-by-case basis.

Survey results town’s interest in solar

A survey in late February indicated strong interest on the part of Lincolnites in exploring investments in solar options for residences. Of 127 respondents, 66.4 percent were “very interested” and 23 percent were “somewhat interested” in finding out more about group purchasing and favorable pricing of solar equipment, installation, and/or solar electricity, with the remaining 10.7 percent indicating “other”—which primarily consisted of current solar owners who are enthusiastic about their arrays.

From a question regarding the motivations for interest in solar, 90 percent of respondents indicated a concern for climate change and 65 percent were concerned about the global politics of fossil fuels, whereas 56.7 percent were interested in solar in terms of an economic investment.

Of 117 responses to a question regarding types of solar of interest to Lincoln residents, 53.8 percent were homeowners interested in solar arrays for their own rooftops, and 37.6 percent were interested in sharing a sunshine-harvesting somewhere else.

A question about additional energy-efficiency opportunities yielded 48.3 percent of respondents interested in monitoring electric loads in their homes to find phantom loads, with additional interest in having home energy assessments (HEAs) and learning more about electric vehicles.

Optimizing energy use

Solarize is one of several residential energy programs offered by the GEC. Residents are urged to consider ways of conserving energy in their homes first before investing in the supply side, according to Lincoln Energy Challenge coordinator Sue Klem.

“Solar PVs are a great way to minimize your carbon footprint, but you’ll want to optimize your home for energy efficiency first,” she said. “The best way to find out how to make your home as efficient as possible is to get a home energy assessment” or HEA.

Massachusetts has one of the nation’s top statewide energy-efficiency programs in partnership with MassSave, a nonprofit funded through utility fees. Lincoln works with a company called HomeWorks Energy to perform no-cost HEAs, where an energy auditor comes to check a residence for air leaks, proper insulation, lighting, and other sources of inefficiency. They can replace incandescent bulbs with free LED light bulbs, leave free “smart” power strips, and perform on-the-spot air sealing for drafty homes. HEA auditors can also offer recommendations for energy-efficiency improvements, often supported by tax incentives.

For more information on obtaining a no-cost HEA, visit www.lincolnenergychallenge.org or call 781-305-3319.

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No charges filed in 2016 bike accident

No criminal or civil motor vehicle charges will be filed in the wake of an accident in Lincoln on June 16, 2016 that claimed the life of Eugene Thornberg of Wayland. Thornberg, 61, was killed while bicycling on Route 126 just south of Hillside Road. The decision comes after an investigation by Lincoln Police Department, Middlesex District Attorney’s office and Massachusetts State Police. 

A second fatal accident involving a bicyclist last summer is still under investigation, Lincoln Chief of Police Kevin Kennedy reported. Westford resident Mark Himelfarb, 59, was killed in an August 17 accident on Virginia Road about 200 feet north of intersection with Old Bedford Road.

Eric Chivian to speak at LLCT gala

Dr. Eric Chivian with a Colombian tree frog.

The Lincoln Land Conservation Trust annual meeting and 60th anniversary celebration takes place on Thursday, May 18 from 6–9 p.m. at the Pierce House. The evening starts with a reception and music by Colonial Jazz with Jim White and hors d’oeuvres by Trail’s End Cafe. Wine and beer will be served.

After a brief business meeting at 7:25, Dr. Eric Chivian, physician and Nobel laureate, will give a talk on “Human Health and the Environment.” Chivian will discuss how medical models can help people understand the implications of our altering of the global environment by translating the abstract, technical science of these changes into the concrete, personal, everyday language of human health.

While a staff psychiatrist in the MIT Medical Department, Chivian co-founded International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985 for its efforts to highlight the implications of nuclear conflict for global health. He is on the Harvard Medical School faculty and directs the nonprofit Program for Preserving the Natural World, Inc. Copies of his book Sustaining Life: How Human Health Depends on Biodiversity will be available for purchase.

Bike to school on May 19

In celebration of National Bike Month, and in collaboration with Lincoln Cycling Safety Advisory Committee, hop on your bicycle for an environmentally friendly, good-for-your-body, fun ride to school on Friday, May 19. Don’t forget your helmet!

Dr. Timothy Johnson at St. Anne’s

Dr. Timothy Johnson

Physician, author, minister and St. Anne’s-in-the-Fields Church parishioner Timothy Johnson will host a forum on the state of U.S. health care and what’s at stake with the new administration’s proposed changes to the Affordable Care Act at the St. Anne’s on Sunday, May 21 at 9 a.m. That afternoon, Still Your Soul will be a service of Contemplative Holy Eucharist, with time to soothe the soul before the beginning of another busy week.

Group uses humor and art to tag gas leaks

Athena Montori hangs one of the gas leak signs along with a tasseled scarf on a tree near Lincoln Woods.

A group of enthusiastic volunteers posted “tree couture” tassels to mark gas leaks in town on May 7.

Lincoln’s chapter of Mothers Out Front staged the event to draw attention to underground gas leaks. They hung brightly colored scarves—knitted by members and decorated with tassels as part of a “tree couture” designed by landscape designer and artist Carol Michener Card—along with notices calling attention to some of the underground natural gas leaks in town. These leaks contribute to global warming, but utilities are not required to repair them unless they pose an immediate danger. There are more than 40 known leaks in Lincoln.

Along with opening speakers, organizers sold “leaky lemonade” in cups with holes purposely punched in the bottom to illustrate the idea that consumers still pay for leaked gas.

Alex Chatfield pretends to be outraged at the lemonade leaking from his cup as Selectman Jennifer Glass (left) looks on.

Lincoln Mothers Out Front listen as founding member Trish O’Hagan speaks about mobilizing for a livable climate.

South Lincoln hydration station stages ribbon-cutting

The Lincoln Garden Club is having a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Station Park on Saturday, May 6 at 10 a.m. to celebrate the opening of its latest project: the installation of a granite water fountain for the town of Lincoln. The park is located across the Lincoln Mall at 145 Lincoln Road.

The native-plant flower bed at Station Park installed in 2015.

The Garden Club decided to have the water fountain built at the Park it has been maintaining since 1972, inspired by last year’s warrant article, sponsored by the Lincoln School eighth grade, to install a hydration station at the school gym. DPW Superintendent Chris Bibbo and his staff, as well as the Lincoln Water Department, were key in designing and installing the fountain, which can be used by bicyclists and walkers to fill water bottles and get a drink of water.

Station Park was created by the town in May 1970 and has been maintained by the Lincoln Garden Club since 1972. In the fall of 2015, the Garden Club installed a native plant bed, designed by the New England Wildflower Society. Like the water fountain project, the installation of the native bed was funded by the Lincoln Garden Club and encompasses approximately 300 native plants.

Lincolnites join forces with crowd at climate rally

Eighteen Lincolnites armed with posters, good spirits, hats, and sunscreen participated in the Boston People’s Climate Mobilization on Boston Common on Saturday, April 29. A Doherty’s bus, organized by the Lincoln Democratic Town Committee, conveyed the group to and from the rally.

Sponsored by a wide array of environmental organizations, the rally offered workshops, teach-ins, music, and speakers focusing on jobs, economic and environmental justice, and ideas for promoting job growth and diminishing the ill effects of climate change.

“The activities were informative and often inspiring and the mood was buoyant, as it was a perfectly beautiful spring day in Boston with participants, along with their children and their dogs, enjoying the warm sunshine and the flowering trees, shrubs and tulips in the Public Garden,” said participant Barbara Slayter, who provided the photos below (click any image to enlarge).

Gwyn Loud, Nancy Soulette, and Elizabaeth Cherniack on the bus to Boston Common.

Barbara Slayter behind her Maura Healy sign.

The Lincolnites get themselves organized before heading onto Boston Common.

 

Jillian Darling displays her poster.

Kate Dahmen and Staci Montori, whose sign calls attention to unrepaired natural gas leaks.

Leslie Hallowell and Sherry Haydock.

Lia Darling.

 

Nancy Soulette’s sign.

New group invites residents to ‘tag’ gas leaks

Lincoln Mothers Out Front Gas Circle members (left to right) Staci Montori, Kate Dahmen, Trish O’Hagan, Sue Michener, Carol Michener Card. Missing from photo: Emily Haslett, DJ Mitchell, Jackie Lenth and Stacey Parks. (Photo from Mothers Out Front – Lincoln)

As one of its first actions to take on local and global environmental challenges, the new Lincoln chapter of the group Mothers Out Front invites residents to a rally and artistic event on Sunday, May 7 to raise awareness of natural gas leaks in town.

The event starts at 1 p.m. at the Lincoln Town Office Building with a welcome address and kickoff rally. Teams of “taggers” will then disperse to mark over 45 known gas leaks throughout Lincoln and hang doorknob information sheets to alert neighbors about the harmful and costly effects of leaking natural gas. Anyone interested in joining is welcome; please email LincolnMOF@gmail.com to sign up for a tagging team.

Natural gas is 95 percent methane, a potent greenhouse gas that speeds up climate change, harms trees, and is linked to health issues including asthma. The Cambridge nonprofit Home Energy Efficiency Team maps gas leaks in more than 200 Massachusetts cities and towns. There are more than 20,000 gas leaks in Massachusetts;Mothers Out front cites a recent Boston University survey of 100 of those leaks that were identified seven as “super-emitters” and 15 as potentially explosive.

Utilities charge consumers for the leaked gas they never use, and the Lincoln campaign is part of a statewide movement to enact gas leaks legislation. A law signed in 2016 requires gas companies to address “environmentally significant” leaks, or the ones leaking the most gas, while other pending legislation would pass the cost of lost gas from consumer bills to the utilities over a period of time. Senate Bill 1845 is currently before the state legislature’s Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy co-chaired by Lincoln’s state senator, Michael Barrett.

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Two concerts at Bemis this weekend

Lyrica Boston Chamber Music will give a free concert on Saturday, April 29 at 2 p.m. in Bemis Hall. On the program will be Schubert’s Trout Quintet and other works in a surprising array of styles. A reception with light refreshments will follow the concert. Musicians will include Laura Bossert (violin), Annie Bartlett (viola), Mariel Bossert (piano), Mina Kim (cello) and Donald Palma (bass). The Lyrica Boston Chamber Music series was founded by Lincoln resident Laura Bossert to provide a launching ground for young emerging artists to perform alongside seasoned professionals. Sponsored by the Friends of the Lincoln Council on Aging.

Dave Whitney and his Big Band will play in Bemis Hall on Sunday, April 30 from 2–5 p.m. Presented by the Friends of the Lincoln Public Library.

Film about relationship violence

Local residents—particularly parents of high school students—are invited to a powerful 90-minute film-based workshop about relationship violence on Thursday, May 4 at 7 p.m. in the L-S auditorium. Escalation tells the story of two college students who fall in love, but whose relationship ultimately turns violent. After the screening, participants are encouraged to talk about relationship violence in a group conversation led by trained facilitators.

The workshop is produced by the OneLove Foundation and presented locally in conjunction with the Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Fund by the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable with Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School’s Mentors in Violence Prevention team. L-S seniors will have the opportunity to take part in the Escalation Workshop as part of the L-S “Courage to Care Conference.”

‘Wake Up the Nature Linc Garden’ on May 6

As part of Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area “Hidden Treasures 2017,” a regional celebration, Farrington Nature Linc will host a pair of events. At Wake Up the Nature Linc Garden on Saturday, May 6 starting at 10 a.m., visitors can weed, turn over the soil, plant annuals, and then hike to vernal pools to look for tadpoles and frogs. At 2 p.m., there will be a talk about Farrington Memorial’s history. Farrington’s clerk, Susan Taylor, will share what we know about life on one of Lincoln’s oldest farmsteads starting with the first structure in 1650 through the 18th-century chestnut barn and the 1911 Donaldson-built dormitory, up through today’s work bringing youth from low-income, urban communities out into nature. Please RSVP for both events to Wendy@NatureLinc.org.

Also as part of the celebration, there will be free admission to the Gropius House and Codman Estate on May 6.

Flower and plant sale

On Saturday, May 6  from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lincoln Town Hall, a selection of plants from Stonegate Gardens and gifts from the Lincoln PTO will be available for purchase at the PTO’s biennial plant sale and fundraiser. You’ll find flats and potted arrangements, fun and affordable Mother’s Day gifts, and a free kid’s potting activity (be sure bring your child’s old boots for the project!) Plant sale is rain or shine, and lemonade and treats will be available for sale by the Brooks School class of 2018. Volunteers will be available to assist in loading.

Borrow nature-themed backpacks for kids

Four new nature-themed backpacks, designed by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust, are available for two-week check out in the Children’s Department at the Lincoln Public Library.

The “Birding, Trackers, Insects, and Trees Etc.” backpacks contain laminated field guides and books for identifying animals and plants; tools to assist with exploration such as magnifying lenses, binoculars, and insect nets; activities to record observations and engage in hands-on learning (story books, nature logs, and plaster casts of animal tracks); and reference materials including a Lincoln trail map, environmental ethics awareness cards, and information on ticks and mosquitos. Many items were sourced and purchased at discount with help from staff at the Audubon Shop at Drumlin Farm.

“As a parent, grandparent, former science teacher, and former director of environmental education in the Lincoln Public Schools, I’ve had lots of experience seeing the value of getting children outdoors exploring nature on local trails and in their backyards. Children are curious and love making discoveries on their own, with a few friends or even a grandparent, and the backpacks will facilitate these opportunities,” said Gywn Loud, a trustee for Lincoln Land Conservation Trust.

The nature backpacks are funded by Lincoln Land Conservation Trust and Friends of the Lincoln Library.

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Tufts a capella concert at Bemis

The COA will host a family-friendly a capella concert by the award-winning Tufts University group The Amalgamates on Sunday, April 23 at 2 p.m. at Bemis Hall. The Amalgamates perform the latest pop hits to oldies rock to spirituals and more in venues from baseball stadiums to street corners to Barcelona. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Lincoln Cultutral Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Bus ride to Boston People’s Climate March

The Lincoln Democratic Town Committee is organizing a Doherty’s bus to go to the Boston People’s Climate March on Saturday, April 29 at 11 a.m. (return time: 4 p.m.) for $15 round trip. Meet in the Smith School parking lot. Email Barbara Slayter at bslayter@comcast.net to reserve a seat, then send a check for $15 made out to the Lincoln Democratic Town Committee to Barbara Slayter, P.O. Box 6337, Lincoln, MA 01773.

L-S presents theater for young audiences

LSB Players, the theater production company of Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, presents The Ants and The Grasshoppers by Ross Mihalko and Donna Swift and The Tortoise and The Hare by Candice Cane on Friday, April 28 and Sunday, April 30 at 6 p.m., and Saturday, April 29 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. in the Kirshner Auditorium at L-S (the April 29 show at 2 p.m. is sensory-friendly). The plays are modern retellings of the classic fables that explore life lessons about persistence, dedication, and the importance of planning ahead and having fun. With exciting moments of audience participation, contemporary music and prizes for all, this is a show that will delight audiences of all ages. The production is directed by Carly Evans.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $8 for seniors/students, and $5 for children 5 and under and may be reserved by emailing lsbtickets@gmail.com with your name, date and time of the show(s) along with the number of adult, student/senior and child tickets you’d like. You will receive a separate email confirmation once your order has been filled. All tickets will be held at the door at the will-call table.

Short films shown by climate action group

As part of the Mass Climate Action Network (MCAN) Young Voices for the Planet documentary film series, Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary will screen four short films on Wednesday, May 3 from 7-8:30 p.m. in its Great Room (208 South Great Road). Admission is free and open to the public but online registration is required.

The films include stories of youth in the U.S. and Germany implementing statewide bans on plastic bags, saving their school $53,000 in energy costs, and planting millions of trees, in addition to changing laws and minds in an effort to reduce their carbon footprint. Following the screening, one of the young stars from the film Save Tomorrow will lead a discussion about her experience changing town bylaws in Lexington, which allowed for solar panels on public buildings.

3rd Middlesex Senatorial District holds breakfast

State senators and representatives from the district and potential 2018 gubernatorial candidates Setti Warren, Jay Gonzalez and Bob Massie will be at the 3rd Middlesex Senatorial Area Democrats annual spring breakfast on Saturday, May 13 from 8:30 a.m. to noon t the Hilton Garden Inn, 450 Totten Pond Road, Waltham. The featured speaker is Maurice Cunningham; U. S. Congressman Seth Mouton is special guest. Tickets are $40 per person or $350 for a table of 10. Send checks made out to 3rd Middlesex Area Democrats to Habib Rahman, 30 Westland Road, Weston MA, 02493. For more information, email garyddavis04@gmail.com or k.durkee.erwin@gmail.com.

Farrington Nature Linc holds Fairy Festival

Come spend a few hours doing fairy crafts and making fairy houses in on Nature Linc’s spruce forest and perhaps even get to meet the Fairy Queen at the Fairy Festival on Saturday, May 20. This fundraiser event is perfect for children ages 4-10 but younger and older are welcome. Elves and fairies should be accompanied by an adult; this is not a drop-off event. Each timed ticket gets you 2-3 hours of activity. Pre-registration is required. Farrington Nature Linc brings youth from low-income urban communities out to learn and play in nature; proceeds support its year-round programming.

Garden Club members in MFA show

MFA flower arrangers Ann Parke, Mary Elizabeth Field, and Melinda Bruno-Smith of the Lincoln Garden Club.

Three Lincoln residents will have their work featured at Art in Bloom, an annual celebration of art and floral design at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston from Saturday, April 29 to Monday, May 1. Different arrangements will be on display throughout the museum by 50 garden clubs from across New England; each garden club team has been assigned one art object which they will interpret with a floral arrangement to be displayed next to the art. Arrangers were introduced to their art objects (paintings, sculptures, pieces of furniture or musical instruments) in March.

 

Public hearings coming up

Conservation Commission

Public hearing on Wednesday, April 19 at 8:30 p.m. in response to the Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Fred Winchell of Farrar Pond Conservation Trust for trail work by SCA AmeriCorps around Farrar Pond in Lincoln.

Planning Board

Public hearing at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25 to review an application for Site Plan Review. The applicant, Massachusetts Audubon Society, Inc., 208 South Great Road, proposes to demolish the existing educational building and construct a new Environmental Learning Center, a new outdoor pavilion and associated parking improvements (see the Lincoln Squirrel, March 22, 2017).

Public hearing on Tuesday, April 25 at 7:20 p.m. to review an application for Site Plan Review under Section 17 of the Zoning Bylaw. The applicant, Ventianni, LLC, 144 Sandy Pond Road, proposes to demolish the existing house and construct a new home, natatorium, outdoor pool and sports barn, and associated parking.

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Climate justice series continues with ‘A Plastic Ocean’

St. Anne’s Episcopal Church will screen the feature-length documentary A Plastic Ocean on Tuesday, April 25 as part of the church’s ongoing series of films on climate justice. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with a light vegetarian supper and the film will start at 7 p.m.

A Plastic Ocean brings to light the consequences of our global disposable lifestyle. An international team of adventurers, researchers, and ocean ambassadors go on a mission around the globe to uncover the shocking truth about what is truly lurking beneath the surface of our seemingly pristine ocean. The film captures never-before-seen images of marine life, plastic pollution, and its ultimate consequences for human health. The movie was filmed over four years in 20 locations around the world to document the global effects of plastic pollution, and to introduce workable technology and policy solutions that can, if implemented in time, change things for the better. Click here to see the trailer.

Discussion will follow the screening as time allows. The film series is free and open to the public, but donations are accepted to defray the cost of screening rights. St. Anne’s climate justice ministry is working to raise up the issues of climate change and environmental justice and to build a community of concerned persons who can make a difference for future generations.

Lincoln Internet guru to give Bemis Lecture

Andy Ory

“The Next Big Thing: More, Faster… but Better?” is the title of the next Bemis lecture to be given by Lincoln resident Andy Ory on Wednesday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. in Bemis Hall. Ory was named as one of the Boston Tech 30 by Boston Magazine “the most influential movers, shaker, thinkers and connectors on the technology scene right now.” Ory was owner of Acme Packet (acquired by Oracle) and co-owner of the new startup 128 Technology, which aims to rethink Internet routing. After his talk, Ory will lead a conversation of the opportunities, threats and challenges in the fields of technology and entrepreneurship in the 21st century, and the impact on our everyday lives. The Bemis Lecture Series  is free and open to all.

Free wellness clinics for all ages

Lincoln residents of all ages are invited to meet with a nurse through a free town service. Come to get your blood pressure checked, ask questions, or learn about wellness resources at clinics funded by the Ogden Codman Trust  and the Pierce House. There will be clinics at Bemis Hall on Tuesday, April 18 and Tuesday, May 16 from 9 to 11 a.m., and at Lincoln Woods from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, May 9. Services for all clinics are provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care. For more information, please call the Council on Aging at 781-259-8811.

Food Project fundraiser on April 26

The Food Project will kick off its 26th growing season with the Big Shindig on Wednesday, April 26 at 6 p.m. at the Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts (539 Tremont St.). The event raises over $250,000 each year to support The Food Project’s youth programming, sustainable agriculture on urban and suburban farms, system building to improve community economic strength, and distribution of fresh produce to fill gaps in food access. The Big Shindig will feature inspiring stories from youth speakers from The Food Project’s Dirt Crew and Root Crew, and a celebration of Leadership Award honoree Leah Penniman. Tickets are $175.

Since its founding, The Food Project has grown from a single two-acre farm in Lincoln to an organization that maintains 70 acres of urban and suburban farmland throughout greater Boston and the North Shore. Over 1,700 young people between the ages of 14 and 18 have served on The Food Project’s youth crews, and the organization has harvested almost 4.5 million pounds of sustainably grown produce.