September 26, 2019 Greenhouse at Fowler Clark Epstein Farm Takes Shape
Built between 1786 and 1806, the Fowler Clark Epstein Farm remains among the earliest intact, vernacular examples of an agricultural property in the Commonwealth’s cities. The original farmhouse is located on land that was once part of a large Dorchester estate encompassing over 330 acres. Purchased by HBI in 2015, the farm will be restored as headquarters and urban farming education and training center for the Urban Farming Institute.
Mattapan’s Fowler Clark Epstein Farm will soon be able to grow year round. With the installation of the site’s new greenhouse, UFI staff will be able to teach their farmer trainees even in the coldest parts of the winter! The foundation for the structure was installed in July and the larger pieces of the walls and roof were assembled off site and were brought to the farm to be erected. A crane hoisted the ribs of the building up and those supports will be covered with a pre-engineered structure with fiberglass arches and polycarbonate sheeting. integrated solar panels to capture some energy. These materials offer superior thermal performance (and energy savings) over the more familiar glass and metal construction. With the addition of this greenhouse, the rebuilding and re-purposing of the historic Fowler Clark Epstein Farm will be complete!
