Kate has been farming for 20 years, and was first was drawn to farming as a career while working on urban agriculture projects in New York City after college. She trained at the Farm and Garden apprenticeship program at the University of California at Santa Cruz and then worked on farms in California and Massachusetts before returning to New Hampshire, where she grew up.
In 2004 she became the lead farmer at Willow Pond Community Farm in Brentwood, and several years later started Stout Oak Farm on rented land in Epping. In 2012, Kate and her husband Jeff purchased land in Brentwood, where Stout Oak Farm put down more permanent roots.
The thing she likes best about her role as Farm Manager is leading the morning harvest crew. This is an integral part of our day, and Kate’s skill for guiding collaborative teamwork keeps the show running smoothly. She is the keystone to our arch and we all learn from her everyday.
When she’s not on the farm, you can be sure to find Kate next door at Sea Star Stables hanging out with all the horses. Not to mention probably whipping up something delicious in the kitchen, like her honeynut squash pie or a big batch or roasted root vegetables.
Under much pressure, Kate has to admit that carrots are her favorite vegetable. And if you know our carrots, you’ll know they’re the sweetest around! She loves improvisational cooking with whatever is in abundance, and views any meal that includes 8 or more different vegetables as a personal triumph!
Kate chose farming as her profession because she sees growing food as a way to contribute something positive and nurturing to the community in a really direct way.
Kate is always candid about the challenges of farming. She acknowledges that after every tough year, it can be harder and harder to build hope and optimism back up. But, she is an optimist to her core – like many farmers everywhere – and she knows that working together with your team, feeding the community, and seeing the health of the land flourish will always anchor you in the passion that started it all. She wants you all to know that your choice to buy local truly makes a difference, and that she is so grateful to be here, working everyday in partnership with the land. 🌎
It is hard to find Kate without her sidekick: Henry. Henry takes his job as farm dog very seriously!