East 40 Gardens & Nature Area
Northampton Community College

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A Center for Place-Based Learning

The dream of the East 40 community since its inception in September 2010 is to create and foster a welcoming space for place-based learning.

 

With the dedication of NCC's students, faculty and staff, and members of the larger community, East 40 has grown to embrace that dream. With a tranquil setting that includes meadows, gardens, and forest, it not only offers a natural environment but one that offers space to honor hand-crafting and the creative process. Sustainability is a theme that centers all we do, and the study of food plays a vital role in linking together our varied efforts.

 

The twin concepts of justice and equity provide for a valuable mindset for our participants and partners, and the shared lens by which we process and understand our work.

 

The garden is a positive, welcoming place for people of all backgrounds to gather in the pursuit of a common experience," said Kelly Allen, East 40 Co-founder and Professor of English.

 

More About NCC East 40


NCC East 40 Gardens

The East 40 experience began as a place for a community garden space, a demonstration garden for students, and has evolved into a learning laboratory for our student "Good Growers" initiative.

A perspective view between ttwo rows of crops

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Connect with us on social media to see all that is happening at NCC East40!

Student purchasing goods from a vendor
Farm Market at NCC

The Farm Market at NCC runs through Wednesday, October 30, 2024 for your midweek opportunity to #shoplocal!

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Ceramic pots in kiln
Ceramics Program

The East 40 Community Garden is home to a wood-fired kiln used by the college’s ceramics program.

Ceramics Program
A split image of two female artists in residence
Artist In Residence

Amanda Thackray artist, educator, communal gardener, and forager.

 

Abigail Michelini poet, professor, and speaker.

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Beekeepers holding a section of a hive
Pollinators

The East 40 acreage is home to a myriad of pollinators, including several types of bees, hummingbirds, butterflies and other kinds of insects. Our property is a certified as a Monarch Waystation, one of over 35,000 such sites through the nation.

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Credit Courses and Workshops

As a program of Northampton Community College, the East 40 has committed from its beginnings to provide a place-based learning resource for the college and community. We support and encourage learning in all its forms - whether by formal classes, workshop opportunities or providing resources for self-study and discovery. We invite the curious!

Food preparation by a student
Credit Courses

The Food and Identity course we offered during Fall semester was exciting and inspiring, and we are offering another Food & Identity course for spring.

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Student rolling patterns into clay
Workshop Offerings

The East 40 offers a variety of non credit workshops on topics such as Natural dye, ceramics, gardening, and beekeeping. Visit our workshop section to see what classes we have available this season!

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Next Steps

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