Explore: Staff and Farm Crew

Farming for Hunger Relief

Farmers keep the world nourished. However we get the fruits and vegetables that we eat, we know that they arrive to us thanks to people who work with the soil, sun, and rain to bring crops from seed to harvest.  Uniquely, Gaining Ground’s farmers know that the produce they grow goes exclusively to people who […]

What’s the Plan?

As Paul Simon sang to me yesterday, “Make a new plan, Stan.” Every five or so years, Gaining Ground is tasked with creating a new strategic plan. It’s an opportunity for the board of directors and the staff to steer the organization toward ambitious goals and new horizons. Our latest plan, formally adopted in November […]

We’re Hiring! 2023 Field Crew Member

Update: This position has been filled. Gaining Ground is hiring for a 2023 Field Crew Member. Learn more about this farming job opportunity and how to apply.

Sometimes It’s the Little Things

An Appreciation Post for the Gear That Keeps Our Farmers Going The farm’s first hard frost this season didn’t hit until November. Despite the gentleness with which we transitioned from summer to fall, the cold weather is now officially upon us. The change in seasons means the farmers have now fully rotated the clothes they […]

Farmer Spotlight: Catching up with Erin Espinosa

This year marks Assistant Farm Manager Erin Espinosa’s second season with Gaining Ground. Erin brings with her an incredible depth of knowledge and experience, as well as the kind of enthusiasm and attention to detail that help keep the farm humming along at all times of year. What has it been like to work on […]

Team Spotlight: Geoff Nelson

If you’ve visited the farm this season, you’ve likely noticed that the structures look fastidiously cared for and the areas of lawn are immaculate. We have Groundskeeper Geoff Nelson to thank for this. Since starting on the farm in the spring, Geoff has worked diligently to keep the farm looking beautiful and functioning smoothly so […]

Farmer Spotlight: Catching up with Ava Lublin

After two years on our high school Farm Team and another season with us as a farmer, Field Crew Member Ava Lublin returned to Gaining Ground again this season. And we’re so thankful she did. Ava, what did you get up to in the farming off-season from Sept. through May? I attended my first year […]

Farmer Spotlight: Catching up with Avery Indermaur

For the second year in a row, we’ve had the good fortune to welcome Field Crew Member Avery Indermaur back to the farm. We are grateful to have Avery’s thoughtfulness, enthusiasm, and warmth on the crew again, and are thrilled to catch up with her this August. What did you get up to in the […]

Farmer Spotlight: Sarah Lichtman

Our July newsletter offers us a great opportunity to check in with Field Crew Member Sarah Lichtman, who now has a couple months with us under her belt this summer. We’re grateful to have Sarah with us for the 2022 season, and to introduce her to the whole Gaining Ground community. Where is home? How […]

Farmer Spotlight: Catching up with Rae Axner

This year, we are grateful to welcome back Assistant Grower Rae Axner for a second season on the farm with us. We are thrilled to have Rae’s insight, dedication, and humor on the crew again, and are excited for the chance to catch up with her this busy July. What did you get up to […]

July New Board Member Spotlights

At Gaining Ground, we are grateful for the thoughtful, compassionate, and diverse voices and perspectives that support and guide the farm. This year, we are thrilled to welcome several new members to our board of directors who bring with them a wealth of creativity, passion, and meaningful insight: Sigmund Correa, Shilpi Desai, Sam Hiersteiner, and […]

Farmer Spotlight: Catching up with Chrissie Edgeworth

This year, we have the great fortune of retaining most of the farmers from our 2021 crew for a new season of growing at Gaining Ground. One such returning farmer is Assistant Grower Chrissie Edgeworth. We are thrilled to have Chrissie back with us in the fields, and wanted to take the opportunity to catch […]

Farmer Spotlight: Kari Bender

The 2022 growing season is officially gearing up, which means it’s time to share our first farmer spotlight of the year.  Our May newsletter offers us a great opportunity to reintroduce Assistant Grower Kari Bender, who already has a couple months with us under her belt this spring. Kari first farmed with the Gaining Ground […]

2022 Board and Staff Updates

Last year, we bid a fond farewell to board members Penny Austen, Elisabeth Elden, John Canally, and Gretchen Nelson. We are incredibly grateful to each of them for the dedication, enthusiasm, and thoughtfulness they contributed to Gaining Ground over the years.  This season, we are thrilled to welcome four new terrific members to our board […]

We’re Hiring: 2022 Groundskeeper

Gaining Ground is a 3-acre nonprofit, no-till organic farm in Concord, Massachusetts, thatsupplies fresh, high-quality vegetables, flowers, herbs, maple syrup, and honey to emergencymeal programs in Boston and the surrounding region. Our mission is simple: We grow organicproduce for hunger relief with help from volunteers of all ages and abilities who work and learnin our […]

What Teamwork Can Grow

The end of November means the days are approaching their shortest and the coldest nights will soon be here. It also means that our volunteer season has come to an end for the year and the last of our seasonal farm team members have departed. At the farm, we grow used to the many devoted, […]

In Full Bloom: A Closer Look at Gaining Ground’s Flowers

Through the hot, dry days of June, soggy gray days of July, and all the way into October, the flowers at Gaining Ground were a feast of color and light. Heaps of zinnias fluttered in the breeze, waving intense blooms of purples, golden yellows, and stunning coral reds. Tall stands of verbena, with bright green […]

Meet This Year’s Farm Team: Erin Espinosa

Our 2021 farm season is quieting down, which means it’s time to share our final farmer spotlight of the season. It’s a great moment to get to know Education Manager Erin Espinosa a little bit better—especially since she’ll be joining us again on the farm next season! Where is home? How did you find your […]

Women Who Farm: The Joys—and Challenges—of Farming as a Woman

Last month, we shared some of the insights and experiences of the incredible women who make up our 2021 farm team. It has been a delight to have such a thoughtful, dedicated, and skilled group of farmers with us at Gaining Ground this growing season. Women farmers can face gender-specific barriers as they navigate their […]
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