Honoring
Amanda Cather, 2004-2014
By
Claire Kozower & many other voices
 | |||
This past week I signed 40 Community Farms Outreach
paychecks, 24 for Waltham Fields Community Farm and 6 for our crew at Lexington
Community Farm. Wow! Forty staff involved in our agricultural
production and programs, not to mention all the contributions from volunteers,
work sharers, and supporters. We’ve
grown tremendously over the last ten years, with our Farm Manager, Amanda
Cather, at the helm of so many decisions enabling increases in fresh food
assistance, CSA shares, educational connections, and partnerships with other
local farms. Amanda’s departure is a
loss for each of us that interacts with her regularly on a personal level, but
her passion, dedication, intelligence, systems development, productivity, and dignity
has positively shaped this organization and created an incredible work culture
that will no doubt live on successfully thanks to her many years of service and
leadership.
Not only does Amanda leave this organization in a better
place than she came to it, but the same is true for farming across the region. While steering our ship, she has also worked
tirelessly to network, share knowledge with, create opportunities for, and
learn from other farmers and experts in field. This is largely evidenced by her
coordination of the Eastern Massachusetts Collaborative Regional Alliance for
Farmer Training, participation in UMass Extension research and Integrated Pest
Management efforts, and collaborations with Chestnut Farms, Picadilly Farm, Autumn
Hills Orchard, Farmers To You, and the Pioneer Valley Grain Share. Kim Denney, Farmer/co-owner of Chestnut
Farms, sent these words along recently: “What an incredible gift Amanda has
given the entire agricultural community in MA - I don't think she realizes just
what a pioneer she has been - but I certainly remember meeting her in the
Arlington parking lot very early in our farm business and connecting over lots
and lots of farming issues - at that point CSA's were still rather bohemian and
farming was seen as a sideline for those of us without a focus or "real
career". The level of professionalism, connections and support that
Amanda has emanated over the years has served as a linchpin for transforming
the Boston food
shed. She is an amazing woman and an even better farmer and community
builder.”
Thank you, Amanda!
Over the past few weeks, a number of staff members have also
shared thoughts about what they’ve learned from working with Amanda. Here’s what they said.
"It feels like a lifetime ago that Amanda started at
Waltham Fields; because it has been. For nearly all of her son Jonah's and all
of daughter Sadie's lives have been at the farm. It has been a privilege to
watch her family grow in tandem with the organization and with Amanda's
abilities as a grower, teacher and leader in the farm community.” - Marla Rhodes,
Volunteer and Development Coordinator
“It's hard to quantify what we've learned from Amanda over
the course of working with her for seven years. As a farmer, she's a keen
observer, constantly aware of subtle changes in the crops and fields and always
curious and energized to figure out the whys and hows of those changes.
Even in the frantic weeks of July and August, days are full of intention and
vision, with gratitude for the successes of each season and an indefatigable
effort to improve on the challenges. We will miss her contagious smile,
her deep strength, her immeasurable kindness, but most of all just the pleasure
of her company.” – Dan & Erinn Roberts, Farm Managers
“Amanda has gifted our community with her incredible
leadership, vision, skill, compassion, humility, and grace. She has mentored so
many incredible farmers and put a cornucopia of healthy veggies on our plates. I
am so grateful for her mentorship and friendship.” - Zannah Porter, Farm
Manager
"Simply stated, Amanda changed my life. First, by
growing me exceptional food to eat and then by teaching me how to grow it.
I am so thankful for all that she has done for me and my family and the
WFCF community. She will be missed tremendously." - Naomi Shea, Farm
Assistant
"It has been such a wonderful learning experience
working with Amanda. She has been remarkably patient and helpful with all of
the information she has to offer." - Alex Lennon-Simon,
Education and Outreach Coordinator
"When I found out this year she was leaving us, I made
it my personal goal to absorb as much of her knowledge and experience... as
humanly possible in the short time I had left with her. She's a great leader
because she communicates so well and genuinely cares about other people's
opinion (and more importantly makes you think for yourself).” - Lauren
Trotogott, Distribution Coordinator
“Absolutely inspirational. I
will never forget seeing Amanda doing farm work while pregnant! I will
miss her wit, wisdom, and compassion.” - Rebekah Lea, Bookkeeper and Office
Coordinator
"When I think of Amanda, I picture her sprinting
through beds, between fields. Sometimes to pass a message along, or avert
disaster, but often just to answer a question or help us finish our work on
time. I’m humbled by her passion for her work and her commitment to the rest of
us, no matter our role. Amanda is someone you want to work for. She
pushes all of us to be faster, have higher standards, develop our own sense of
the work and its purpose, and enjoy being part of such an earnest and valuable
organization." - Ruby Geballe, Field Crew
"Amanda is an amazing farmer, mentor and genuinely
wonderful person. I have been extremely blessed for the opportunity to work
with and get to know her." - Daniel Clifford, Field Crew
"Amanda is such a strong force, a wonderful role model
of a woman being in charge, lovely to work alongside of and so encouraging as a
manager." - Rae Axner, Field Crew
"Amanda has such a can-do
attitude and her constant good mood is infectious. She keeps everyone going and
is a rock for the crew." - Alisa Feinswog, Forest
Foundation Intern
“Amanda’s positive outlook and dedication is admirable and
she is an amazing role model in all aspects of her life. I’m so thankful
to her for showing me how fun and rewarding working on a farm can be.” - Cassie Baker, Forest
Foundation Intern
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