October 2026 on the Farm: Farm Day, Fall Harvests, and Community Connections

Grateful. After eight and a half incredibly fulfilling years as Executive Director of Waltham Fields Community Farm, I will be transitioning away from this role—but not from our community. This has been a deeply personal decision for me, made early this spring after a year of impactful changes in my life. I remain inspired by, connected to and grateful for the community that has meant so much to me. I am fully committed to supporting a successful transition and have made myself available to assist the organization during this process. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have supported this community-focused organization and to have worked alongside so many incredible team members, volunteers, farmers, educators, Board members, partners, donors, and community members over the years. When I first came to Waltham Fields, I was drawn to the dedicated people who wholeheartedly committed themselves to our mission, to our community and to the programs carried out each season. Over eight and a half years, that commitment has continued to inspire me. I am especially appreciative of the many collaborations and partnerships that have strengthened our work and expanded our impact. Together, we have grown food, nourished families, welcomed children and adults to the farm, supported beginning farmers, advocated and cared for the land, and created countless opportunities for people to connect with one another and with the food and soil that sustain us. At the heart of all of this has always been community. Thank you to each of you for the many ways you have supported Waltham Fields and contributed to its mission: providing low-income residents of Waltham and Greater Boston with fresh, organically grown vegetables; nurturing and protecting urban farmland for long-term productivity and environmental health; promoting awareness and engagement in sustainable food systems; and training new generations of farmers to care for our state’s vital agricultural resources. These are important things to do—and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of this work. While I am transitioning from my role as Executive Director on September 30, I am not saying goodbye to Waltham Fields or to the many relationships that have made these years so meaningful. I look forward to continuing to cheer on this community and learning how I may deepen my dedication to equitable food systems and urban, community-based, agricultural programs. WIth that, (wink-wink) I ask you to join me as a team member at my final Ride & Stride For Food on September 27! Please join our team and reach out to your family, friends and work family, walk alongside me (or cycle with many others) on this impactful day to raise critical support for our food access programs and those in need of access to locally grown and healthy food, no CYCLOspora here! Let's make a memory together! With tremendous gratitude for the trust, support, partnership, inspiration and community you have shared with me and each other over these eight and a half years, Stacey A Note from the Board of Directors Stacey, thank you. On behalf of the Board of Directors, and the many people whose lives and work at Waltham Fields have been touched by your leadership, we are deeply grateful for the extraordinary care, commitment, and perseverance you have brought to this organization over the past eight and a half years. Stacey has led Waltham Fields through some of the most consequential—and at times most uncertain—years in the farm’s history. She guided the organization through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic while keeping our community, staff, and food access mission at the center of our work. She helped shepherd WFCF through a years-long effort to protect the future of the farmland we call home, from the uncertainty surrounding the former UMass Field Station, through its historic acquisition by the City of Waltham, and through the complex process that ultimately secured WFCF’s continued stewardship of this land. At the same time, Stacey helped Waltham Fields look forward and farm on! During her tenure, WFCF piloted and grew our Produce Prescription program, strengthened our food access work, developed a new strategic plan and re-envisioned our mission and vision, and continued building partnerships throughout Waltham and Greater Boston. And then there are the accomplishments that are harder to capture in a timeline: the relationships nurtured over years; the staff members encouraged in their growth; the volunteers, families, farmers, educators, partners, and neighbors welcomed into this community; the difficult conversations navigated; and the many times Stacey simply showed up for the farm and the people who make it what it is. Her impact is everywhere—not only in what Waltham Fields has accomplished, but in the culture and community she has helped shape. As we celebrate Stacey's contributions, we also want to speak directly to you, our community. We know transitions like this can bring questions and feelings of uncertainty. We want to be clear and reassuring: this is a planned and thoughtful transition, and Waltham Fields is strong and well-prepared for what comes next. Stacey’s decision is her own, made with intention and in close partnership with the Board. We are grateful she will remain through September to help ensure a smooth and supported handoff. Looking ahead, we are focused on continuity, care, and strong leadership: We will identify interim leadership to guide day-to-day operations, ensuring stability while we take the time needed to conduct a thoughtful search. We will launch a careful and inclusive process to identify our next Executive Director, informed by the perspectives of staff and members of this community. We will keep you updated throughout the process so you remain connected to what is happening and what comes next. What we want you to hear most clearly is this: the mission is steady, the work continues, and the heart of this farm remains strong. Waltham Fields has never been defined by one person alone. It is defined by the farmers who tend the soil, the staff and volunteers who make our programs possible, the families and neighbors who gather here, the partners who extend our reach, and the community members who care for this place and carry its mission forward. We will be honoring Stacey’s eight and a half years of leadership, and we hope many of you will join us in expressing our gratitude for all she has given to Waltham Fields. Thank you for being part of this community and for continuing to stand with Waltham Fields as we move into this next chapter together. With gratitude, Adrianna Gucciardi  President, WFCF Board of Directors

From delicious farm-to-table dining and tomato tastings to celebrating beloved team members and expanding our food access programs, there's plenty happening at the farm this August. Here's what's coming up and how you can get involved! Join Us for Summer Supper on the Farm – August 18 Celebrate the bounty of summer at our annual Summer Supper on the Farm on August 18! We're thrilled to welcome back Chef Dan Lane of Waltham's Maple & High, opening this fall, for another beautiful, seasonal menu featuring the best of summer's harvest. Guests can look forward to a delicious spread featuring grilled peaches, vibrant summer salads, grilled chicken with sweet corn succotash, roasted eggplant, and more. Beyond the delicious food, Summer Supper is an opportunity to gather with friends and neighbors, enjoy an evening in the fields, and hear updates from Executive Director Stacey Daley about the farm and our programs. Best of all, ticket proceeds directly support farm operations and food access programming , helping us continue our mission of growing fresh food and strengthening our community. Tomato Talk & Taste – August 29 Calling all tomato lovers! Allison, also known as "The Tomato Lady," is visiting Waltham Fields on August 29 for an afternoon dedicated to one of summer's favorite crops. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just getting started, this event is a chance to learn more about the many tomato varieties offered at our annual Seedling Sale and grown right here on the farm. You'll discover how to choose the best varieties for your garden, care for your plants throughout the growing season, and harvest your tomatoes at their peak. And, of course, the afternoon will wrap up with a delicious tomato tasting! A Fond Farewell to Ana! We're sharing some bittersweet news from the farm: our incredible CSA & Farm Stand Manager, Ana, is heading to Wales for her next adventure! Since joining the Waltham Fields Community Farm team in early 2020, Ana has made a lasting impact on our organization and community. Her passion for fresh, local food, dedication to service, incredible work ethic, and wonderful sense of humor have touched so many of us. Ana has played an essential role in expanding our Farm Stand, growing our CSA program, and bringing creativity and energy to our annual Sprout fundraiser. We're deeply grateful for everything she's contributed to Waltham Fields, and we know her impact will continue to be felt for years to come. Please join us at the barn on Friday from 5–6:30 PM to celebrate Ana and wish her well as she begins this exciting new chapter! The Waltham Public Library Bookmobile Is at the Farm! Books and fresh vegetables? We can't think of a better combination! The Waltham Public Library Bookmobile is visiting Waltham Fields Community Farm on Wednesdays from 2:30–4:30 PM. Stop by to get a library card, renew or return materials, and browse a selection of books. It's a wonderful opportunity to connect with another great community resource during your visit to the farm. Learn More About the Bookmobile Join the WFCF Ride & Stride for Food Team – September 27 Ready to get moving for a great cause? Join Waltham Fields Community Farm and Three Squares New England on September 27 for Ride & Stride for Food , an annual event supporting food access programs throughout our community. Whether you prefer to bike, walk, or head off the beaten path, there's a way for everyone to participate. This fun-filled event brings together families, running and biking clubs, and community members who share a love of food, music, and making a difference. We're looking for Farm Friends to join our team and help raise critical funds for WFCF's Food Access Programs. Already have a group interested in participating? You can register as a WFCF subgroup and support our food access mission together! Food Access Update: 258 Shares and Counting! Our Mobile Outreach Market (MOM) is in full swing, and we're excited to share the progress we've made so far this season! Thanks to our dedicated team and community supporters, we've already distributed 258 shares of fresh vegetables to community members. Our Mobile Outreach Market is an important part of our commitment to making fresh, locally grown food more accessible. Every share represents another opportunity to connect our neighbors with nutritious produce grown right here at Waltham Fields. We're grateful to everyone who helps make this work possible and look forward to continuing the season! Fall Education Programs Are Coming Soon! As we enjoy the height of summer, we're also looking ahead to another exciting season of learning at the farm! Registration for our Fall Education Programs will open later this week , with expanded sessions and offerings. Stay tuned for more information about upcoming opportunities to learn, explore, and connect with the farm this fall.

There's a lot growing at Waltham Fields Community Farm this July! Our food access programs are reaching more neighbors, we're kicking off a new fundraising initiative, and we're celebrating a beloved member of our farm community. Read on for the latest updates, opportunities to get involved, and ways to support the farm this summer. Our Season Opener Appeal Is Live! This year, we're launching a new initiative to help sustain the farm during the busy summer growing season: our Season Opener Appeal. As expenses increase, funding sources become less certain, and the need in our community grows, your support is more critical than ever. A donation today will help us: Provide fresh, locally grown produce to families who need it most. Maintain critical farm infrastructure during the busy production months. Strengthen a resilient, local food system rooted in care for our community and environment. Every contribution helps us continue growing food, expanding access, and caring for the land that brings us together. Fermenting with Flora! Join Flora from the Somerville Fermentation Festival for an afternoon of fermenting at the farm! Learn the art of fermentation and discover how to preserve fresh, seasonal vegetables to enjoy throughout the year. You'll head home with a few jars of fermented WFCF vegetables, along with the knowledge and skills you need to keep fermenting all year long. Celebrating Marla Rhodes: A Full-Circle Farm Story After decades of dedication to Waltham Fields Community Farm, our dear Marla Rhodes is retiring! Marla's connection to WFCF began more than 30 years ago when she discovered a volunteer opportunity on a bulletin board at a Cambridge food co-op. What started as a search for connection, purpose, and some "healthy outdoor exercise" became a lasting relationship with the farm and its community. Over the years, Marla has contributed in countless ways, from administrative work in the farm's early days to foundation grant writing and volunteer coordination. Her commitment to the people, land, and mission of WFCF has helped shape the organization we know today. We're delighted to share this heartfelt note from Marla in her own words. A Note from Our Dear Marla Rhodes Dear WFCF community, My name is Marla, and I just retired from Waltham Fields Community Farm. Over three decades ago I discovered WFCF as a volunteer, tearing a tab from a flyer on a bulletin board at the old food coop in Cambridge. A man named Oakes was looking for help to grow food organically on some weedy acreage in Waltham to share with food pantries. I was looking for connection, a sense of purpose, and some "healthy outdoor exercise." I was eventually hired as the admin person, one of two year-round staff in the early years. I left after two seasons, but years later came back to help with foundation grant-writing. As the organization grew I took on volunteer coordination as well. I learned two things those first years: farming is very different from gardening; and volunteering is an under appreciated method of figuring out how you want to live your life. I figured out I wanted to help places like WFCF to exist, and to spend my time amongst people who wanted that, too. And now my full circle hope is to again come back as a volunteer in my retirement! Amongst other new endeavors I am really looking forward to planting seeds in the greenhouse and scuffling weeds away from the dear and delicious vegetables that miraculously appear each season. It is so fulfilling and gratifying to think of this as part of my community - as much my community farm as it is yours. I love all that it stands for, and I love you all for caring enough to be part of this community, too. Peace out and Farm On! Thank you, Marla, for everything you've given to Waltham Fields Community Farm. We look forward to welcoming you back as a volunteer and seeing you among the vegetables again! Join the WFCF Ride & Stride for Food Team! Join Waltham Fields Community Farm and Three Squares New England on September 27 to bike, walk, or go off the beaten path in support of WFCF's Food Access Programs! Ride & Stride for Food is one of the highlights of the year and a fun event for families, running and biking clubs, and anyone who enjoys food, music, and community. We're looking for Farm Friends to join our team and help raise funds to support access to fresh, locally grown food. Food Access Updates: Fresh Produce Making an Impact Our Food Access Programs are off to a strong start this summer! Our VegRX Produce Prescription Program is in its fourth week, with more than 400 pounds of fresh produce already delivered . Our Mobile Outreach Market (MOM) is also kicking off, bringing more opportunities for community members to access fresh, locally grown vegetables. In June alone, we shared over 3,000 pounds of produce, valued at $22,800 , with our food access partners: Waltham YMCA Boston Area Gleaners Food Not Bombs Healthy Waltham These partnerships are essential to our mission of making fresh, nutritious food more accessible throughout Waltham and Greater Boston. Healthy Waltham Is Looking for Volunteers! Our friends at Healthy Waltham are looking for a few more volunteers to help with food pantry distributions on July 23, August 13, and August 27. Volunteers play a vital role in helping our neighbors access nutritious food. If you're looking for a meaningful way to give back to the community, consider lending a hand! Thank You, Representative John Lawn! We're grateful to Representative John Lawn for his continued support of Waltham Fields Community Farm and our food access mission. In June, Rep. Lawn initiated an amendment to the Environmental Bond Bill to include $150,000 in support of VegRX , our Produce Prescription Program in partnership with Charles River Community Health. VegRX helps connect community members with fresh, locally grown produce, and support for this program is an important part of expanding access to nutritious food. Thank you, Rep. Lawn, for recognizing the value and impact of this work and for your enduring support of our organization! Thank You for Growing with Us Whether you're supporting our Season Opener Appeal, joining a farm workshop, volunteering with a community partner, or cheering on our food access programs, you're helping Waltham Fields Community Farm continue its important work. We're grateful to everyone who makes this community farm what it is. Farm on!

We're kicking off the summer season with a fresh new look, exciting events, and plenty of opportunities to connect with Waltham Fields Community Farm! From foraging walks and ice cream to volunteer days and seasonal produce, here's what's happening at the farm this June. Our New Website Is Live! We've got a fresh new look to kick off the summer season! Earlier this week, we launched a new website with a cleaner design and upgraded integrations with our membership, email, and registration systems. We hope this new site will better highlight our mission, values, and programs while making it easier for shareholders and community members to engage with the farm. Russ Cohen Returns for a Wild Edibles Walk & Talk We're excited to welcome Russ Cohen back to Waltham Fields on June 11 for his annual Wild Edibles Walk & Talk! Join Russ for an opportunity to learn from an expert about safe and sustainable foraging techniques, along with tips and recipes for enjoying wild edible plants. Whether you're curious about foraging or looking to expand your knowledge, this is a wonderful opportunity to explore the natural world around us. Upcoming Guest Workshop: Climate Change Adaptation The Charles River Watershed Association will be hosting a Climate Change Adaptation Information Session here at Waltham Fields Community Farm on Friday, June 12, from 4–6 PM. This free, family-friendly workshop is an opportunity to learn more about climate change adaptation and connect with others in our community. When: Friday, June 12, 4–6 PM Where: Waltham Fields Community Farm Cost: Free and family-friendly! Farm Stand Summer Hours Are Here! Our Farm Stand is open for the summer season and stocked with fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables! This month, look for asparagus, rhubarb, strawberries, and more from WFCF fields and other local farms. Summer Farm Stand Hours Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday: 2:30–6:30 PM Saturday: 9:30 AM–2:30 PM The Farm Stand is open to the public, so stop by and enjoy the best of the season! Pretzel Fridays & Saturday Vendor Visits We're also welcoming some delicious local favorites to the Farm Stand this month. Pretzel Fridays: Iggy's pretzels will be available every Friday at the Farm Stand! Our Saturday vendor lineup includes: June 6: Madhrasi Chai June 13: Babci's Pierogis June 20: Magic Bites Come shop for fresh produce, discover local vendors, and support our community's food makers! We All Scream for Ice Cream! The start of summer means it's time for our annual Ice Cream Sundae Social with Rancatore's! Join us on Saturday, June 20, from 1–4 PM for an afternoon of ice cream, field games, and FUNdraising! Enjoy fresh mint ice cream and rhubarb sorbet made with WFCF-grown crops, along with Rancatore's favorite flavors and all the toppings you can dream of. Bring your family and friends for a sweet afternoon at the farm while supporting Waltham Fields Community Farm! Calling All Volunteers! It's a busy time of year in the fields, and volunteers are always welcome! Whether you'd like to join us for a single morning or make volunteering part of your weekly routine, there are plenty of opportunities to lend a hand. Friday Drop-In Volunteering Fridays, 9 AM–12 PM No registration required! Just stop by and join us in the fields. Saturday Volunteer Sessions Saturdays, 9 AM–12 PM. Please register in advance so our farmers can plan ahead. Saturday, June 13, is our first Crop Mob of the season! We hope you'll join us for a morning of teamwork and hands-on farm work. Food Access Work Shares Are Still Available! Our Food Access team is looking for a few more folks to join us this summer! Food Access Work Shares offer an opportunity to get involved with the farm and support our work to make fresh, locally grown produce more accessible to the community. Interested in joining the team? Stop & Shop Supports WFCF in June! We're grateful to Stop & Shop in Watertown for supporting Waltham Fields Community Farm through its reusable Community Bag Program! Throughout the month of June, every reusable Community Bag sold at the Watertown Stop & Shop will help support our mission. It's a simple way to support the farm while making a more sustainable shopping choice. Thank you to Stop & Shop and everyone who participates! See You at the Farm This Summer! From enjoying fresh produce and exploring the fields to volunteering and gathering for community events, there are so many ways to be part of Waltham Fields Community Farm this season. Thank you for supporting our farmers, programs, and mission. We look forward to seeing you at the Farm Stand and around the farm this summer!