Jeff Backer

Jeff grew up in Rhode Island and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Rhode Island (URI) in 2005 with a degree in Wildlife and Conservation Biology.  He comes to us most recently from Moon in the Pond Farm of Sheffield, MA, where he apprenticed from Nov. 2008 - Nov. 2009.  In between college and his last farming apprenticeship, Jeff spent time as a field assistant studying mammals in Costa Rica, volunteering for the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program for a year in Papau, New Guinea, and working as a lab manager for an ecologist at URI.  

Devon Burgess (1983-2010)

Devon grew up on Cape Cod, where his family has lived for eight generations.  He came to us after apprenticing at Homestead Farms in Cropseyville, NY.  He had also spent time as a volunteer at Overlook Farm (a Heifer International Learning Center).  Devon was always an avid athlete, competing competitively in wrestling & football in his younger days and cycling more recently.  He also rode and/or took care of horses for most of his life.

Devon's apprenticeship with us was cut short after only two months when he died from an accident in Cambridge on May 2nd.  On May 5th we held an informal service on the farm to mourn his loss and celebrate his life.  He was an adventurous, determined, caring, and vibrant spirit who lived life to the fullest and is remembered with much love.  Together with his friends and family we planted a red oak by the bridge in his memory.

Apprentices from past years will be added in time....