The Youth Agricultural Scientists share heartwarming stories and lessons from the Tapley Garden, reflecting on community, growth, and the joy of gardening at the NOFA/Mass Winter Conference in February.
By Anna Gilbert-Muhammad
Reporting from Massachusetts
Agnes Frias (far left), Anna Gilbert-Muhammad (second left), Ryan Santiago (second right), Beth Ward (far right), and Kimberly To (front) pictured at our Winter Conference earlier this year.
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A Cozy Winter of Dreaming and Planning
Winter is a cozy time to unwind, recharge, and dream about the season ahead. For the Youth Agricultural Scientists, the early part of the year brings a special kind of joy as they dive into planning for the year. They love flipping through seed catalogs, sketching out garden plots, and reminiscing over drawings from past seasons. This year, they also drew inspiration from the 2025 NOFA Winter Conference Workshop, “Lessons Learned from Tapley Garden,” to shape their growing plans with care and excitement. |
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Heartwarming Stories from the Tapley Garden
The workshop was heartwarming, featuring a thoughtful discussion with the more experienced members of the Tapley Garden Group. Agnes Frias, Kimberly To, and Ryan Santiago, who bring 10 years of gardening wisdom from the Bay Street Neighborhood in Springfield, MA, shared their stories with the Food Access staff. |
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Youth Agricultural Scientists
Agnes Frias
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Agnes is 26 years old and attends Fitchburg State University. Along with their mom and 10 other families, they are a founding member of the garden in Tapley Court Apartments. They have worked in many capacities in the garden, volunteering, doing bioremediation and food access internships.
Kimberly To
Ryan Santiago
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Agness’ Joy in Growing for the Community
They opened up about their journey—everything from the lessons they have learned about growing food and nurturing the soil to the connections they have built with other young people they had not met before.
Agnes shared how, after six years, the garden has become a cherished part of life for the families at Tapley Court Apartments. She beamed as she described how residents often stop by to ask what is ready to harvest or discover new garden additions. One of her favorite moments was seeing the families’ excitement when they spotted cilantro (Racao) ready to be picked.
Kim’s Love for Veggies and Soil Magic
Kim chimed in with her fond memories, like the joy of bringing home her favorite veggies for family dinners. She also loved learning simple, time-honored ways to care for the soil—think mulching, working with cover crops, and using the microBIOMETER to check fungal and bacterial balance. Her enthusiasm for these traditional methods was infectious!
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Ryan’s Passion for Feeding and Caring
Ryan, meanwhile, spoke with such warmth about the happiness he finds in growing food for the Tapley Court families. Being part of a team that supports the community—by developing and sharing food—feels deeply meaningful for him. He especially loves how it shows care for elders, children, and anyone in need, making the garden a true labor of love. |
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A Bright Future of Healthy Food and Service
When the group was asked about their hopes for the future, particularly around growing healthier food, Agnes, Kim, and Ryan could not help but smile. They are so proud of their work and the chance to make a difference for others through their efforts. |
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Blooming Ideas for the Season Ahead
As the workshop wrapped up, the youth team was buzzing with ideas, eager to create a value-added project to bring even more goodness to their community. Their passion for gardening and caring for others will bloom beautifully in the coming seasons! |
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