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. 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.
Vice President: 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.
Treasurer: Doug Marmon
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 automated the systems that collect money.
Clerk: Sneha Patel
I have been a Winchester resident for over 18 years and a neighbor of the farm for over 15 years. I first met the farm when I joined the campaign to help save the farm back in 2007 and continue to be a huge advocate of this natural gem in our town. I personally love the so many aspects of the farm and have really enjoyed watching it evolve over the last decade or so. My family and I go as often as we can for hikes on the nature trails. Some of my farm favorites include yoga at the farm, flowers CSA, and the cocktail nights overlooking sunsets. My husband and I hosted our own Diwali party using the amazing barn as the background for a fun evening.
I am excited and honored to join the board and look forward to the next chapter of the farm’s evolution. In my professional life, I work in the biotech industry in the human resource function. I am married and have a son in the high school. For fun, I enjoy cooking, hiking, yoga, travel, and spending time with friends and family.
John Kilborn
The Farm is definitely a special place, combining history, the natural landscape, and working agriculture. Walking into the 1827 Barn is to be transported into an earlier era, the tools and wagons seemingly resting in place where they were last used. But, the bustle and people outside and the nearby All Seasons Barn reminds you that the Farm is firmly connected to the present and the future. The Farm is now a community treasure. I have been active in Winchester as a Town meeting member, Climate Action advocate, and supporter of the fish ladder in the Town Center. My day job is an attorney representing the Environmental Protection Agency.
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
Lia O’Donnell
It’s a great privilege to serve the farm as part 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.
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.
