President: Lia O’Donnell
Vice President: Scott Gilmour
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
