In the summer of 2023, I was working at the Long Center for Performing Arts in Austin, Texas. I was a part of the programming team planning and executing amazing concerts and events. I missed home and the heat was just dreadful so I started looking for a new role back on the East Coast. I quickly stumbled across a position at Overlook Farm as the Executive Director. I have worked in nonprofit for the bulk of my career and have always had a passion for food justice. It felt like the perfect fit. I had my own garden in the past and was inspired by farmers and the work that they did in the Central Massachusetts area. Specifically, Kenny J’s in Oxford had fed my family when I was a child with the most delicious vegetables I have ever tasted.

Not that long into being here our dear Ms. Amber decided to move on to another position. I soon stepped up to additionally start running programs, and with the advice of local farmers took on managing the garden. The last two years have probably been the most challenging of my life, but the most rewarding. With the help of my gardeners, Aiden and Victoria, and the requests of our food pantries, we ventured into learning more about how and what to grow. Aiden and Victoria are kind, hard working and we make each other laugh on the daily.  Through the support of our parents, we grew programs. In 2024 we saw a little over 500 participants and in 2025 we will have provided programs to over 650 children and adults. Each year our distribution has also grown. From just a little over 100 pounds in 2021 to 3500 pounds in 2024.

I am also very proud and grateful that our volunteers from places like Assumption College, Mapfre and Coughlin Companies have repeatedly stepped up to help us. In 2024 we saw 281 volunteers dig their hands in the dirt on the farm. In 2025 we will have over 350 volunteers that have supported helping us compost, plant, weed, and prep for our summer camps. I am excited about all of the work that we have done. Our partnerships with local food pantries and farms has meant more food to more people.

It is with great sadness that I announce that after five years of growing, teaching and giving, Overlook is closing its operations at the Lilac Hedge location at the end of this year. We will continue programs through October for things like Seedlings and Afterschool and will harvest in the garden until the last veggie is picked and the garden is put to rest for the winter.

This was an agonizing decision and with the support of the board made with apprehension. Sadly, the garden, distribution, programs and staffing can’t happen without funding. The competition for funding in this space due to changes in federal and state allocations has made it impossible for us to meet our budget needs to continue in 2026.

Though programming, volunteerism and distribution are at an all-time high, despite our best efforts, individual, corporate and foundation grants and donations have not come to pass this year. Last year we had our best year ever financially and were looking forward to 2025 but the money just did not come in. In addition, we lost critical funding needed to create a well and power to feed the garden. Though 135,000 for the year felt achievable, the current climate on donations and grants said otherwise.

That said, we are holding the nonprofit open and perhaps there will be a miracle in the future but are closed until further notice.

We appreciate all of the love and support that we have received from the community, parents and caregivers, former donors and foundations, volunteers, and friends to achieve our goal of fighting food insecurity and teaching children about where their food comes from.

I am incredibly humbled that I have had the opportunity to learn so much, to meet you, to see the smiles on the children’s faces at camps and classes and to have done this job. I have learned to fail and to triumph. Mike Pineo told me once he didn’t need to gamble at Foxwoods, being a farmer was gambling enough. I know what I would do better next year, but alas!!!

Thank you to Lilac Hedge and the Williams family for partnering with us and leasing us this beautiful land to preserve and nurture. A huge shout out to Lauren Williams, and the founding board members who had the vision to create this organization. In 2018 it was a seed that in 2021 began growing into this incredible dream organization. Thank you to our OG Executive Director Jamie Aspenson. Another big thank you to Dick Williams for all the land maintenance work he has done to keep this land safe for our kiddos. And to the former and current board members, like founding family member Jen Williams, for believing in this mission. Special thanks to Ms. Mel, Martha and Counselor in training, Josh Boyle, for making our camps such a special adventure. Too many more to thank but especially grateful for our partnership with Agro-Eco’s Giulio, Katie and Pieter and Alyssa from Rachel’s Table for helping us get more food to more people. And to our food pantries for doing the work they do even as it’s gets harder and harder due to funding cuts.

We did our best to keep this special place open and carry on the legacy of the Williams family and Overlook Farm. We hope we have instilled memories that last a lifetime for those that were able to spend a little time on the farm and in the garden.

(We will be inviting local non-profit organizations that do similar work to come and purchase our tools and supplies with a pay what you wish day.  A small fund will be held to pay for any filings that need to be made post location closure)

With love and sadness,

Tamara aka Ms. T