President: Lia O’Donnell
It’s a great privilege to serve the farm as the President of the Board of Directors. I first got involved at the farm as volunteer who stumbled across the farm in its early days, came to an event or two, and was hooked by the powerful spirit of connection to nature and one another that unites all those who work together to make Wright-Locke Farm the gem of a community resource that it is today. I was honored to join the Board in 2015. My professional background is in fundraising, strategic communications and program management to support entrepreneurs.
As we embark on our second decade of operating as a public resource, our priorities are to ensure the farm’s sustainability on an environmental, social, and financial basis. We’re exploring how to scale our impact, an effort that will be catalyzed by the launch of our All Seasons Barn. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with offers of assistance, questions, or ideas.
Vice President: Scott Gilmour
I met the farm and my better half, Jill Shay, at about the same time. She, Sally Quinn and others were working on this crazy override to save the farm in Winchester — what farm? Over the coming years I became more involved in projects to refurbish the buildings and increase the viability of the farm. I became a Board member in 2017. What I love about the farm is its resiliency. When the community saved the farm, it was a tired raspberry patch with some disintegrating buildings with No Trespassing signs posted. Today, we have an operating organic farm, beautiful historical buildings, thriving education program, and a large number of accessible community events. The farm has established itself as an important community resource for Winchester and surrounding communities. Not bad for ten years. The next ten years will be just as important as we build out year-round community resources with the All Seasons Barn and our commitment and dream for a sustainable future.
Treasurer: Doug Marmon
I’ve been on the board for five years. My first project at the farm was cleaning the farmhouse basement and repairing the lights down there. I love the old buildings at the farm and all the history they have seen. I’m not much of a farmer, so I have taken charge of the books. I really much prefer counting dollars to pulling weeds. My background is in finance and computers; I manage the systems that collect money.
Clerk: Charlene Band
I have become a budding historian! It wasn’t planned. It just happened around 2005 when I started to research the history of Wright-Locke Farm. At that time, I was a member of the Winchester Historical Commission. I discovered that in the mid-1600s, the Wright family became the first owners of the property. The last member of the family, Philemon Wright, sold the farm to the Locke family and made his way to the Ottawa region in Canada. What a surprise! I am a Canadian and Ottawa is not too far from my former home in Toronto! And now I live just down the road and around the corner from the Wright homestead!
I love everything about the farm. What I enjoy most is exploring the historical artifacts that are stored in the Ice House, the 1827 Barn and the farmhouse attic. They all tell a story about the history of the farm. The endless number of books, documents, photos … I’ve been working on sorting and cataloguing them for what seems like forever. To tell you the truth, I spend a lot of time just looking through and reading this material! I have met so many interesting people that have a close relationship to the farm. They include a direct descendant of Philemon Wright, employees of the Locke brothers, great nieces and a nephew of the Locke brothers, owners of (long gone) area farms and people who are writing a book about Philemon Wright’s travel from the farm to his new home in Canada. It has been an interesting experience and a lot of fun!
Sarah Doyle
My family and I have enjoyed the farm since we moved to Winchester in 2008. From Family Farm Nights to volunteering, from the education programs to the CSA, from attending the Speaker Series to raspberry picking, we have been lucky to be a part of this amazing place. Wright-Locke has impressed me with its commitment to education, to local and sustainable farming, and to community engagement and activism. My favorite spots change with every season. As an animal-lover, I always love being near the animals or stealing a few quick snuggles from Buddy.
I’ve been teacher since 1998. Presently, I’m a PhD candidate in Educational Studies at Lesley University where I have been an adjunct faculty member and a program supervisor since 2012. Reach out to me about anything farm-related. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll help you find the person who does.
Terry Fuller
After moving into our house on Johnson Rd in 1975 we learned that it had been a wing on the original Locke farmhouse. The wing was moved in 1906 by oxen to its present location and was used as the helps’ house for the Cox Farm.
I spent many an hour walking my dog throughout the trails of what is now the Wright-Locke Farm and Whipple Hill where I frequently saw Mr. Hamilton on his horse overseeing what I thought was his property. It has been exciting to see the transformation of the farm from a privately isolated piece of property to a vibrant, open community friendly working farm. My favorite spot on the farm is the second floor of the squash house with all its history and reminders of farming in the 19th and 20th century.
Many years as an educator exposed me to peoples’ varied interests and desire for learning. The farm provides that opportunity for learning. Two years ago I became the representative of the Winchester Council on Aging to the farm’s board. I am very interested in seeing the farm – buildings, property, programs – available to area seniors.
It is important to honor the history of the farm while at the same time helping it adapt to the 21st century. I am especially interested in areas of clean energy, recycling and overall sustainability.
What the farm provides for individuals and the community is wonderful.
Tim Griffin
My day job is at Tufts University, where I teach and do research on agriculture and the broader food system. I am very excited to join the board at WLF. The are many current and potential roles that the farm can play in providing education and also drawing attention to the central issues we face around food. These issues are also central to my work and my view of the world, so looking forward to the future!
Susan McPhee
Currently I am an energy conservation coordinator for municipalities. I’ve also been a retailer, a painter and a Mom. As part of the WLF board, I am working on energy matters among other things. Some energy projects include insulating the farm house and hopefully updating the heating in the farm house. I also help with chicken chores from time to time. Chickens are how our family originally got involved eight years ago – we got in on the ground floor of the chicken coop!
Wandering the trails or the grounds, I feel transported. WLF takes me to a more rural place, a slower paced place – very restorative. Experiencing the farm during all sorts of weather and times of day is fabulous. There are always surprises. My favorite spot on the farm is the top of the hill by the cistern, looking West at sunset.
David Miller
I have been a member of the WLF Conservancy Board for about 18 months. I joined the Board as the representative from the Conservation Commission. I work in biotechnology and have experience in both the agricultural and pharmaceutical sectors.
I like the fact that we have a historic, operating farm right in our midst and that it can be a resource to all. I also enjoy the dual challenge of managing the Farm to maintain its historic character while increasing its profile, utility and value to the community. I am an open book. Happy to engage around any topic
My favorite part about the farm is: The Goats
Michelle Prior
I first learned of Wright Locke farm in 2007 when the town purchased the land via an override – I had never stepped foot on the farm but saving open space seemed like a good idea. I became more aware of the farm and what it had to offer when my daughter participated in the inaugural farm camp program during April vacation 2012. Both of my daughters attended a week of farm camp every summer until they got too old to participate and it is remarkable to see how much the farm education program has grown over the years.
I serve as the Winchester Finance Committee’s representative to the Board. Having served myself on the Finance Committee from 2010-2015 I have a good perspective as to what the farm was in 2007 and what it has become – a viable, self-supporting farm which respects its rich history while offering a broad range of programs targeting people of all ages. It will be exciting to see what the next ten years brings and if you have not yet attended an event at the farm or just stopped by to take a stroll, please do so, I think you’ll agree our farm is a gem.
Marcus Wignell
One of the highlights of moving to Winchester, my wife Mara’s hometown, is being able to enjoy Wright Locke farm and have an actual working farm easily accessible for us and our three kids (8, 5 and 1). As a child I grew up on a small farm and I was worried that my children may not experience the beauty and challenges involved in growing food and raising animals – I think the farm is a treasure for the town and the next generation and needs to be preserved and nurtured so that our kids, grandkids and their kids can enjoy it and learn from it. My work in institutional alternative investment management has moved me around the world over the years and my travels have taught me the importance of community and preservation and Wright Locke Farm is a shining example of both.
