Staff Highlight: Lauren McDonald, Crew Leader
Lauren McDonald came to PFP to interview in the fall of 2014, and our decision to hire her was a no brainer; we wanted her on our team. When you meet Lauren, you can sense the speed with which her brain works. She thinks and moves with vigor that is unmatched, and if you get her talking about farming, her passion and devotion are palpable. It is clear in getting to know Lauren that she brings this fervor to every aspect of her life (including contra dancing and fiddle playing!).
Lauren earned a BA in Environmental Science from Williams College, where she was among a small group of undergraduates to devise and establish an organic garden for students. Upon graduating, she was driven to farming as a means to address environmental and social issues in a practical way. Her love of the outdoors, hardworking nature, and desire to be a part of a community made her decision to farm the obvious choice. After apprenticing at Hawthorne Valley Farm for two growing seasons, and Crystal Spring Farm for another, Lauren came to PFP. Lauren’s aptitude for farming is demonstrated in her unwearied determination on even the cruelest heat of summer days. She set the pace for accelerated tasks and efficient transitions this past season. In addition to her impassioned presence on the farm, Lauren demonstrated her sincere dedication to PFP’s mission in her role as Food Share Manager. She formed strong relationships with our emergency food provider partners, and often volunteered with them on her days off. We are honored to share that she will be returning to the farm to work as Crew Leader, a new position that will foster her growth into a management role.