L-R Garden Club Scholarship Committee members Nancy Jaysane, Jane Coleman Williams (Chair), Griffin Smith & Jackie Jones.
DEBBIE WRIGHT SCHOLARSHIP AWARD RECIPIENT
2024 Griffin Smith
2024 Griffin Smith
The 2024 recipient of the Debbie Wright Scholarship was Griffin Smith, a graduate of Concord Carlisle High School. Griffin will be attending Hampshire College majoring in agriculture. He plans to supplement this program with classes at the University of Massachusetts Stockbridge School of Agriculture through the Five College Consortium.
Griffin’s passion for organic, sustainable farming was developed and nurtured through his work at Clark Farm. Griffin started there in 5th grade when he was tasked with collecting eggs. In high school, he worked at the farm as part of an internship program and quickly discovered that he was drawn to working the land to produce healthy food. He explained that “my first summer, I really dove in the deep end and have continued to want to learn more”. Since that time, he has worked at the farm and currently does so on a full-time basis. During the season, Griffin is engaged in the agricultural tasks of planting seeds, watering, weeding, and harvesting. It is hard work, but he finds that it provides great satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment. He appreciates working with the other crew members, observing that good conversation and bonding can take place when weeding.
During Griffin’s first winter on the farm, he began to take care of the livestock after some of the workers had left and he found that he really enjoyed this aspect of farming as well. In addition to feeding and watering, he has developed an understanding and appreciation of animal behavior. Because of his experience and competence, he is sought out by people with hobby farms to help with their livestock when they are away.
Griffin is eager to pursue organic farming, finding that it is a good fit for him. He plans to build on his experience at Clark Farm by pursuing further education in farming and agriculture. .
Griffin’s passion for organic, sustainable farming was developed and nurtured through his work at Clark Farm. Griffin started there in 5th grade when he was tasked with collecting eggs. In high school, he worked at the farm as part of an internship program and quickly discovered that he was drawn to working the land to produce healthy food. He explained that “my first summer, I really dove in the deep end and have continued to want to learn more”. Since that time, he has worked at the farm and currently does so on a full-time basis. During the season, Griffin is engaged in the agricultural tasks of planting seeds, watering, weeding, and harvesting. It is hard work, but he finds that it provides great satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment. He appreciates working with the other crew members, observing that good conversation and bonding can take place when weeding.
During Griffin’s first winter on the farm, he began to take care of the livestock after some of the workers had left and he found that he really enjoyed this aspect of farming as well. In addition to feeding and watering, he has developed an understanding and appreciation of animal behavior. Because of his experience and competence, he is sought out by people with hobby farms to help with their livestock when they are away.
Griffin is eager to pursue organic farming, finding that it is a good fit for him. He plans to build on his experience at Clark Farm by pursuing further education in farming and agriculture. .
