In Massachusetts, where the average farmer is 59 years old, Elliott embodied the self-reliant spirit common among his peers – seeking help only from family, not outsiders. His small, seasonal farm supplemented his full-time job at a local dairy. When Elliott’s daughter Dee and her brother inherited the farm in 2014, it came with a 1950s tractor and a cash-only vegetable stand.
Rather than following her father’s advice to go it alone, Dee leveraged her nonprofit experience to seek external support. Funding from the Mass Dept. of Agriculture, the Massachusetts Food Trust Program, allowed modernizations like refrigeration, trucks, and tractors to boost operations. A USDA grant later facilitated a farm store, extending their season and product offerings while creating over 25 new jobs.
The partnerships with state and federal agencies proved transformational for Dee, who formed a nonprofit, Farm and Community Collaborative, to enhance local food security through farm-sourced produce, subsidized CSA shares, and agricultural education. “I’ve found my groove,” said Dee, seamlessly blending nonprofit work with running the revitalized family farm alongside her brother.
Seeing Elliott Farm‘s success opened the minds among skeptical old-guard farmers resistant to outside assistance. As Dee reflects, “There’s a unique joy in having a vision, seeing it fulfilled, and being part of every step.” With LEAF’s expertise and support, new paths forward are emerging for the next generation of local growers.
(Read: Edible Boston article about Elliott Farm)
