Board of Directors

About the Board

The role of the NCOF Board is to help oversee and guide the Farm into the future. Board members serve as advocates and spokespeople for NCOF in accordance with the mission and organizational goals. Board members have diverse backgrounds, interests, and forms of expertise.

Interested in joining us? More information and our board application are below.

Current Board

Andrew Williams, President

Bekah Stendahl, Vice President

Thomas Taylor, Treasurer

Michael Fisher, Clerk

David Epstein

Eric Nguyen

Sophia Thomson

Brinley Vickers

Matthew McCue

Grace Walsh, Student Member

Ryder Pabian, Student Member

Where to find us

At the Farm: Our Board of Directors works with staff and volunteers to welcome visitors to the farm and help out at our community events.

By doing this, they get to know the people who love and support the farm. This helps them speak up for the farm and bring more people into our community, one connection at a time.

In the Community: The Board works closely with Town of Natick officials to manage the organization’s unique nonprofit: municipal partnership. Tasks include managing the long-term lease, ensuring that NCOF serves Natick’s taxpayers, and advocating for the Executive Director and Assistant Directors, who are Town of Natick employees. They act as ambassadors for the Farm in Natick, in MetroWest, and in the Greater Boston area. They often represent NCOF at local outreach events, like Natick Days, and by staffing the NCOF stand at the Natick Farmers’ Market.

Join the Board

Serving on the NCOF Board is a meaningful way to support and guide a well- respected local nonprofit, to have a positive impact on your community, and to grow as an individual. We are always looking for interested candidates who are enthusiastic about the Farm’s mission and sustainability. Board membership is a volunteer three-year commitment. We are committed to creating an inclusive Board whose membership reflects diverse lived experiences and perspectives, including those related to race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and ability. If you would like to share your talents and perspectives, we look forward to hearing from you.

Our Commitment

Attend six to nine board meetings each year (2nd Tuesday, 6-8pm), and planning meetings as needed and schedule allows
Maintain farm membership at any level
Lend a hand at Farm events (for example, Farm Fest, Maple Magic, and Natick Farmers Markets)
Support the farm through time, connections and financial contributions, as able (‘friendraise’ and fundraise)
Commit to a three-year minimum term

Board Testimonials

Tom Taylor

Board Treasurer

“[Being on the Board is] a way to offer my time/treasure/talent to an organization doing important things. I’ve learned WAY more about building a barn than I ever thought I might know.”

Leanne Cowley

Board Clerk

“Contributing to the work of the Board and the farm is reward enough in itself, but there are other treasured experiences that sometimes come with the job. For example, one evening we were having a board meeting at the farm, and word came in that piglets were being born. At the end of the meeting, we all trekked over to the birthing shed and watched the tiny newborns getting on their feet and discovering their mother’s milk while the tired sow rested.”

Eric Stich

Former Board Member

“It fills me with joy and pride that I have the opportunity to be in service to an organization that touches so many lives in such positive ways. From educating people on where their food comes from to providing open access to natural and fun experiences for people of all ages, the farm is a beacon of positivity and opportunity for our community. Being able to play a role in ensuring the farm is an available resource for all is humbling.”

Advisory Board

Mary Ellen Ames
Erica Ball
Jay Ball
David Dimmick
Brian Donahue
Arthur Fair III
Carp Ferrari
George Fiske, Jr.
David Krentzman
George Levoy
Karen Masterson
Lynda Simkins
Ken Soderholm
Barbara Talkov
Bruce Weisberg
Polly Broman Wright
Chris Yoder
Michael Downey

Honorary

George Ames
Frank Paul
Harriet Buckingham
Bob Brack
Rudman Ham