Centro Agrícola

The Centro Agrícola Project has transformed an abandoned building and vacant lot into a vibrant center for small business development and community education. The Centro Agrícola includes an outdoor plaza, a restaurant space, a shared-use community kitchen, a bilingual library, and meeting space.

See:

• Kitchen/Cocina
• Library/Biblioteca
• Greenhouse/Invernadero
• Mi Plaza Restaurant
• El Jardin Bakery

About the Centro Agrícola Plaza

Designing the PlazaThe Plaza of the Centro Agrícola has been designed by the youth of the Protectores de la Tierra program guided by Architect Tullio Inglese and is modeled after the town centers of Puerto Rico and Latin America. It features a fountain, demonstration gardens, tropical flowers, and café-style seating for the restaurant. The plaza hosts outdoor events such as flower shows, music events, and festivals.

The Centro Agrícola was constructed with help from groups such as:

• Local Labor Unions
• Greater Holyoke Youth Service Corps
• Drug and Alcohol rehab programs
• Prisoner pre-release programs - Honor Court

We especially thank the following for their support:

Doug Jenest, Carmelo Ortiz, The Ford Foundation, The Frank Stanley Beveridge Foundation, The Heron Foundation, Carpenters' Union Apprentices, Nacul Center for Ecological Architecture- Tullio Inglese, Lizzotte Glass Company, Community Foundation of W. Mass, The Irene and George Davis Foundation, Miguel Hernandez, George Pagan, Harold Ross, Mt Holyoke College Art Library, BankBoston, Massachusetts Cultural Council, US Department of Agriculture, People's Bank, Michael Siciliano, The Fund for Folk Culture, Heriberto Santiago, Marcos Boatwell, DOS Concrete, Curran Construction, Douglas Health, Northampton Plumbing Supply, Campaign for Human Development, Arthur Lerner, The City of Holyoke Board of Assessors, Holyoke Gas and Electric, Holyoke Water Commission, Honor Court, Greater Holyoke Youth Service Corps, Holyoke Equipment Corporation, Xeric Foundation, Norcross Wildlife Fund, Nicolai Law Group, Food For All, H.B. Smith Boilers, Lally Stowell, The Solidage Foundation, Share Our Strength, Living Springs Foundation, The St. Paul Companies, Food Industry Crusade Against Hunger, Don Vanasse, Marcia Rossi, Boston Foundation for Architecture, University of Massachusetts Agroecology Program, Harry Chapin Foundation, Holyoke Cultural Council, Solutions CDC, and Facade Improvement.

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