History 
Once an unused plain brick space, the Garden Leadership Team developed this space into a thriving community garden twelve years ago. Now operationally under Countway Library, the Countway Community Garden is home to an active movement of urban gardeners from across the Harvard Longwood Campus. For over a decade, volunteer gardeners have donated their time and energy to nurture this haven. They get their hands dirty, relax, and learn from each other about how to grow greenery in the city.
Our garden, like nature, is in a continuous state of evolution. We look forward to sharing this space with our community members as it continues to flourish as a little oasis right here on campus. There are lots of ways to get involved with the Countway Community Garden. We’ve typically held two major events each growing season and we’re always looking for helping hands to tend and cultivate beds, plant seeds and assist with gardening chores. Want to help us grow throughout the year? Explore ways to get involved! Even if you’re not inclined to get your hands in the dirt, we also appreciate assistance with logistics and planning. We welcome both new and experienced gardeners. And even if you don’t have the time to join us, we invite you to celebrate the renewal of growth around you wherever you may find it.
Contact us anytime.
Mission
The Countway Community Garden strives to provide the Harvard Longwood community with a safe and enriching outdoor space, and to engage the community through gardening opportunities, unique programming, and wellness-focused initiatives as an extension of Countway Library.
Vision
We aim to promote our mission through activities available to the Harvard Longwood community and the general public including events, tours, social gatherings, demonstrations, educational resources, and other programming. In addition, as a physical extension of Countway Library, we are also able to offer a safe reservable venue for events hosted by other campus departments. And finally, the garden provides a beautiful green space for the public to enjoy every day from dawn until dusk.
Goals
- Provide a welcoming community green space where classes, students, faculty, staff, and the public can engage with each other and with the garden space
- Engage directly with the three campus schools, affiliate hospitals, and surrounding neighborhoods through large annual functions as well as smaller community-building events
- Provide an opportunity for Harvard Longwood community members to engage their passion for gardening
- Develop resources and volunteer opportunities for community members interested in learning about food production, agriculture, sustainability, and justice in the food system
- Benefit the greater community by modeling public health practices such as improved resource management, creating access to healthy and locally sourced vegetables and herbs, heat index diversion, and promoting sustainable principles
- Become a model for library- and school-based gardens and university urban agriculture education