Year-Round Staff

Rob Goldfarb, Development Director
Being part of the sea, sailing the Caribbean I used to be called, “Rob the Noble Pirate”.  But now that I joined The FARM Institute in the fall of 2005 as the Camp and Events Director, you can now call me “Rob the Noble Sheep”. [more]

Melinda Rabbitt DeFeo, Enrichment Director
I joined The Farm Institute in September 2005.  As the education program manager I hope to build meaningful education programs for children and adults. [more]

Chrissy Kinsman, Business Manager
I joined The FARM Institute in the fall of 2005, and quickly realized that it is an ideal place to work. The Farm allows me to work in a place where my beliefs about sustainability and organic life are supported.... [more]

Wesley Wood, Lead Farm Hand
I was delighted to join The FARM Institute team in February of 2006. I was exposed to cranberry farming as a child and remembering all the fun I had back then makes me look forward to all the fun to come. [more]

Arthur Hardy-Doubleday, Development Manager
I grew up on the Vineyard and graduated from Trinity College. I have a passion for empowering communities, which I was able to put into practice as a community organizer in Hartford's Sheldon/Charter Oak Neighborhood. [more]

Triva Emery, Summer Program Director
I’m a mom, wife, teacher, goof and life-long learner; a gal with many different experiences from corporate Brand Marketing and Event Planning to teaching early education through grade 5. [more]

Seasonal Staff

Kristin MacDonald, WISP Manager
I am arriving here at the FARM Institute after spending the previous six seasons on organic and biodynamic farms in Vermont, Hawaii, and northern New Mexico. [more]

Mary Baker, Farmer/Teacher
I am happy to introduce myself as part the FARM Institute staff. I began at the FARM as a volunteer two years ago and quickly became enamored with the place. Between the friendly staff, the variety of animals and this special piece of property next to South Beach, I couldn’t think of another place I would rather spend my time. [more]

Laura Cottingham, Farmer/Teacher
After graduating in May from Colorado College with degrees in English and Environmental Studies, I am seriously looking forward to escaping the classroom and getting my hands dirty on Martha’s Vineyard! [more]

Kristin Depucchio, Farmer/Teacher
Hello to all the farmers out there or the people who are curious as to who I am and what the Farm Institute does! I am one of the lucky ten teacher/farmers who get to work with your children and help them to appreciate animals, plants, and agriculture in general while having LOTS OF FUN! [more]

Emily Duncker, Farmer/Teacher
I come to The Farm Institute as a graduate of Fordham University’s history program. I’ve been living and learning in New York City for four years, and grown a tremendous basil plant, but I have many unanswered questions. [more]

Sally Elliot, Farmer/Teacher
Hi! My name is Sally Elliott and I will be working as a teacher/farmer at The FARM Institute this summer. I just graduated from Dartmouth College with a degree in Environmental Studies. [more]

Laura Hahn, Farmer/Teacher
Laura Hahn is a junior Natural History and Interpretation student at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry(ESF) in Syracuse, NY and has been involved with the ESF Outreach offices since September of 2006. [more]

Sara Hoffman, Farmer/Teacher
I am so happy to be working at The Farm Institute this summer! Teacher/Farmer Jeremy and I moved to the island from Maine last year, and we are excited to start a new chapter of our lives here. [more]

Hannah Hudson, Farmer/Teacher
Names are an important part of the human culture because names carry history and meaning. Just as plants and places have names that describe their characteristics, our names tell about us as well. At birth I was given two middle names which mean, "Captivating" and, "Great delight or happiness". [more]

Sam Kanson-Benanav, Farmer/Teacher
I could not be more excited to spend my summer on the farm! Originally from the tundra of Minnesota, I am now a student in the great dairy state at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. [more]

Meredith Kope, Summer Program Assistant
This is my third summer on Martha’s Vineyard, but my first at The FARM Institute. I just graduated from Sweet Briar College with a degree in Environmental Science. [more]

Meredith Magin, Farmer/Teacher
I am joining the FARM Institute after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University with a Bachelor of Architecture. After the summer I will be joining the Peace Corps and moving to Africa, where I will be working in Agro Forestry. [more]

Stephanie Majeau, Farmer/Teacher
Stephanie is my name and environmental sustainability is my game! Indeed, I am embarked on a life long journey of learning and I am stupendously excited to be spending the summer teaching and working at the FARM institute. [more]

Allison Mandel, Farmer/Teacher
My name is Allie and I am a senior environmental studies major at Hamilton College. After spending the past semester studying ecology and conservation in Botswana, it will be quite a change to live on MV for the summer! [more]

Tommy Montana, Farmer/Teacher
Legendary Rancher and Farming Celebrity, Tommy Montana, hails from the fly-fishing waters of Pride, Montana. He was recruited by The Farm Institute for his trademark "Hot Dog" style.... [more]

Julie Olson, Farm Hand
Hi! I'm Julie Olson and I recently became The FARM Institutes farm hand. I made the long swim over to the Vineyard from my hometown of Dennis where I was fed up of serving people fish. My farming career started when I was a wee youngster.... [more]

Emily Richardson, Farmer/Teacher
I’m beyond excited to be joining The FARM Institute team as a teacher/farmer this summer, and I can’t wait to explore Katama and the rest of the island! [more]

Kartina Richardson, Farmer/Teacher
I am a filmmaker and playwright from Boston, MA. I attended Boston University where I majored in film production. I am fairly obsessed with movies, writing, pablo neruda, doo wop, tina fey, and children's books about magic. [more]

Emily Duncker, Farmer/Teacher
I come to The Farm Institute as a graduate of Fordham University’s history program. I’ve been living and learning in New York City for four years, and grown a tremendous basil plant, but I have many unanswered questions. [more]

Paige Ryan, Media Coordinator/Wee Farmer Summer Teacher
After working on Martha's Vineyard as a radio DJ and website editor for the past two years, I'm very excited to capture this summer on the FARM in video, photos and words. [more]

Kacie Warner, Lead WISP Teacher
I'm arriving here at the FARM Institute after spending the last year residing in our great nation's capitol, where I worked at the Community Food Security Coalition to advocate for programs that promote and support local food in that giant mess known as the Farm Bill. [more]

Beau, The Boss
Hi! My name is Beau. I'm the farm cat. I think that I am the most valuable member of the staff. My job is to eat, sleep, chase mice and other small critters, and to generally keep the rest of the staff in line. [more]

Baloo, Farm Pup
My name is Baloo. The first thing I am going to tell you about myself is that I am a Leonberger. Although I am big, I am also lovable, sweet and gentle. Leonbergers are not only super friendly family dogs but useful too. [more]

Indiana, Farm Pup
Hello! My name is Indiana and I am a Border Collie. I belong to Farmer Wes and am happy to come to the FARM every day to play and exercise. [more]