Joy Grows’ Growing Leaders program builds young people’s skills through hands-on work: growing, carpentry, science, and leadership. Our first session ran in spring 2026, while neighbors and youth built the Eastport Community Farm. Youth built picnic tables and planter boxes and were celebrated at the farm’s ribbon cutting in May.
This winter, we’re building the next season of youth programs in the farm’s new greenhouse, and we want parents to help shape them.
Eastport Community Farm opened in May 2026 on the ball field next to Eastport Terrace. It’s a 34,000-square-foot farm with 5,000 square feet of in-ground beds and a 4,000-square-foot greenhouse that is becoming our year-round classroom. See the farm today.
Direct contact: Matthew Wallace, matthew@joy-grows.org, (443) 454-1487
Growing Leaders:
Core Sites: Our Garden (next to the rec center) and the Eastport Community Farm. Note: Both sites are in the Eastport Terrace/Harbour House neighborhood. Programs may be offered in collaboration with Brother Troy’s evening program at the Community Center.
Other Project Sites: Toni Cooks’ indoor microgreen farm 1125 Madison St. and Ms. Peaches healing garden (corner of President and Madison). Note: Further parent permission will be required for these sites.
Winter 2026–27: schedule coming soon. Programs will meet in the greenhouse at Eastport Community Farm. Fill out the permission slip below to get updates as soon as the schedule is set.
Our spring session ended at the farm’s ribbon cutting on May 2, 2026, where Growing Leaders were recognized and celebrated, and showed the community what they built.
Youth are encouraged to wear clothes they can get dirty.
Snacks may be provided (please fill out the allergy section of the permission slip to ensure youth safety).
Any young person from pre-K to 18 can be a Growing Leader! Youth in the Eastport Terrace/Harbour House neighborhood are prioritized. Parents are welcome to stop by any time, and we’d love parent volunteers.
Join our parent council. We’re inviting a small group of parents and caregivers to help design our winter youth programs at the greenhouse: what’s taught, when, and how kids get there and home. We’ll meet once a month at the greenhouse, with food and childcare. Interested? Contact Matthew at matthew@joy-grows.org or (443) 454-1487.
