After more than six generations of family ownership, a Massachusetts nonprofit raised over $4.9 million to buy 5.23-acre Holly Hill Farm and permanently protect the centuries-old piece of farmland

For generations, Holly Hill Farm belonged to the same family. Now, after more than six generations of White family ownership, the 5.23-acre Massachusetts property has been secured for the future as a working farm, thanks to a fundraising effort by Friends of Holly Hill Farm (FHHF), according to a report by Cohasset Anchor. The nonprofit raised more than $4.9 million to buy the land and invest in its buildings and infrastructure, including $1 million in community preservation funds from the Town of Cohasset. This September 2026 purchase means the farm will remain a working farm and community resource permanently.FHHF will own and operate the farm, and a Conservation Restriction (CR) has also been placed on the part of the land that was not previously protected. The restriction, jointly held by Wildlands Trust and the Town of Cohasset, will permanently prevent future development on the land.

“This is a once-in-a-generation accomplishment for the community, and a huge win for the environment and this beautiful farm. We are incredibly grateful to the White family and the community of Keep Our Farm a Farm supporters who made it possible to protect this precious land. However, our farm is more than the land, and we’re asking the community to join us to help ensure we can grow, teach, and be here for the community for generations to come,” Meredith Laban, Executive Director of Friends of Holly Hill Farm, said in a statement.Jean White, the co-founder of the farm, said this moment is a fulfilment of her husband Frank’s wishes. “Our family is enormously grateful for the efforts expended by all those in the community who worked on this initiative and the many extraordinary friends who helped make this happen. This teaching farm is a community resource for all ages, and will be preserved in perpetuity.”Though the land is protected, the nonprofit will continue to raise funds for its next phase, including making improvements to the historic 1785 barn, which houses the year-round farm stand. Better traffic flow and parking, as well as a heated, year-round indoor classroom with a working kitchen for teaching and preparing food for pantries, plus restrooms, are also part of the upcoming phase.Mark DeGiacomo, Board Chairperson of FHHM, remembered the efforts of its pioneers. “We want to honour our nonprofit’s co-founders, Jean and Frank White, and their family for their generosity, vision, and unwavering commitment to sustainable farming, education, community, and the land. Their passion and dedication laid the groundwork for Friends of Holly Hill Farm, shaped its mission, impacted the lives of countless people, and helped make the farm the community treasure it is to so many. We remain committed to keeping our farm a farm, to growing its future, and working with the community to ensure we can be here for many years to come.”

Beyond the vegetable rows

Holly Hill is a certified organic farm growing vegetables, herbs, seedlings and flowers. The harvest travels further than the farm stand. Through its Farm to Food Pantry programme, food and flowers go to nine local food pantries. The stand supplies participating families through the Holly Hill Farm SHARES programme and accepts SNAP. There are also educational programmes. More than 20,000 students from over 14 communities take part in programmes on the farm, in classrooms and in school gardens each year, and partnerships reach more than 40 schools between the South Shore and Boston. The summer programmes have been named Best of the South Shore four years running.Adults also get workshops and guided walks led by the farm’s educators and outside experts. Tiered pricing and scholarships are offered so cost does not keep anyone out. It is a community deeply passionate about the land and its natural resources.