Seeds
of Solidarity Farm and Seeds of Solidarity Education Center,
Inc. were founded by Ricky Baruc and Deb Habib. Baruc
and Habib met in 1984 while working at the New Alchemy
Institute on Cape Cod MA, a small international organization
whose purpose was to “design human-scale, low polluting
alternatives to super technology and to design and test
intensive food growing methods.” New Alchemy’s
impact on our lives and that of many others was profound.
We spent the next decade or so farming (Ricky) and working
in the fields of multicultural and environmental education
(Deb). Then in 1994/1995 we took part in the International
Pilgrimage for Peace and Life, walking from Auschwitz
to Hiroshima. We initiated Seeds of Solidarity Farm and
Education Center upon our return, in the spirit of New
Alchemy and in honor of those around the world helping
to feed the people.
The
Seeds of Solidarity 30 acre site is located on Chestnut
Hill Road in Orange, Massachusetts, one of nine towns
in the North Quabbin region. The Quabbin Reservoir was
created in the late 1930’s as a water supply for
Boston. The flooding of four towns and a fertile valley
took much of the region’s agricultural land out of
production. When the mills began to close, economic depression
was left in the wake. Through the transformation of abandoned
land into a bountiful farm, working with our neighbors
to initiate a flourishing festival, and establishing innovative
education programs, Seeds of Solidarity is helping to
revitalize the region.
