Local News

Vandals target nonprofit farm in Ipswich

Thousands of dollars worth of seedlings were destroyed at the Three Sisters greenhouse, dampening the start of the farming season.

A photo of the greenhouse before it was vandalized at Three Sisters. Courtesy of Three Sisters Garden Project

April 16, 2026 | 1:31 PM

1 minute to read

Earlier this week, members of the nonprofit Three Sisters Garden Project walked into their greenhouse on Washington Street in Ipswich to find that someone had destroyed more than half of their seedlings, causing thousands of dollars in damage.

In an Instagram post, pictures show plants pulled out of trays, roots ripped out, and plants thrown around the greenhouse.

“We are still cleaning up and taking inventory to determine our needs for replacement plants or seeds,” the post from the organization said. “But we would welcome any info on what might have happened.”

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Three Sisters is a nonprofit farm where 80% of the produce goes to food-insecure residents in 22 North Shore communities through free, sliding-scale, and SNAP weekly produce shares, and to partner organizations.

The nonprofit is actively seeking volunteers and donations to replace the seeds, plants, and trays.

According to a report by The Local News, the seedlings would have gone to feed the more than 300 households that Three Sisters serves nearly every week.

Executive Director Liz Green told the paper that many of the seedlings had already been growing for about six weeks and were about ready to move outdoors.

Green said there was no evidence that an animal did the damage. The nonprofit isn’t looking to get anyone in trouble but hopes the person comes forward to “make it right.”

Three Sisters is still moving forward with its seedling sale at the end of next month.

“We’re not giving up,” Green told The Local News.