What a Rooftop Farm Could Mean for Charlestown

Imagine this: you wake up in the morning, step outside, catch a view of the Zakim Bridge, walk half a mile and find yourself at a farm picking your own vegetables.

If a deal between Higher Ground Farm and a Charlestown property owner comes through, that vision could become a reality.

“We love Charlestown for a number of reasons,” said John Stoddard one of the co-founders (or “founding farmers,” as he prefers) of Higher Ground. “We think there’s a great community there that would appreciate a farm and having access to fresh food.”

Stoddard told Charlestown Patch this week that he and his company are in talks to plant an urban farm atop a 32,000 square foot roof in town—though he can’t say where.

The property owner, he said, is not interested in going public yet, but he could offer a few details about how the green roof could impact the neighborhood.

For one, you’re not likely to look out your window and see a field of ripe tomato plants; given the size of the roof that the installation needs, Stoddard said, they tend to be in industrial areas.

At an earlier stage, Stoddard said, the company originally looked at the Save That Stuff property on Terminal Street, which would have put the garden well away from any Charlestown residences. That deal couldn’t work, he said, due to issues with the roof.

The farm would also likely not be structured like a park, Stoddard said. Preliminary plans do not include a seating area, but that doesn’t mean that the public would have no access to the farm.

Stoddard said the farm would likely accept volunteers and may have a “pick your own” program. It would also likely include a table for people to buy vegetables and a gathering place for agriculture and cooking classes.

Another bonus that the farm could bring to Charlestown? Fresh produce at town restaurants.