Sue Mildrum

I was bicycling down Virginia Road one day five years ago when I noticed the Gaining Ground sign. That very weekend, there was an article in the Boston Globe about the farm and I immediately contacted the office to volunteer. I fell in love with the beautiful surroundings, physical labor, and the fun and interesting farmers and volunteers. I’ve been coming back every other week since then. My husband, Mark, has been joining me the last four years, and I’ve brought multiple groups from my work. I hope to bring to the Board the perspective of a volunteer, as well as insight into how we might better collaborate with all the great tech companies in the area.

Gretchen Nelson

I first learned about Gaining Ground in 2005 through a beloved third grade teacher, Brad Bennett, who all three of my children were privileged to have at Thoreau School. Mr. B had the children participate in Read for Seeds and spoke passionately to them about the farm and its mission. Thus began my own involvement with Gaining Ground which, over the years, has included volunteering in the office, helping with Food for Families, and volunteering on the farm itself. As a Board member, I hope to inspire other families, as Mr. B inspired ours, to get involved with Gaining Ground and carry on its important work.

Sam Royce

I am a senior at Concord-Carlisle High School and, prior to joining the Board, spent more than six years volunteering at Gaining Ground. I have helped weed, plant, and harvest in the fields; lent a hand at Food for Families; and worked at many events including running the “funnelator” and acting as the ever important “parking czar” at Harvest Fest celebrations. I hope to bring other high school students out to the farm, introduce them to our mission first-hand, and encourage them to get involved in fighting hunger.