One special volunteer has convinced me to visit Hingham twice in the past month, specifically our Weir River Farm reservation. Signe McCullough is this enigmatic force of intelligence, creativity, and fun. Sitting in her living room, constructed in the mid-1600s, and discussing possibilities for The Trustees is a bit like stepping back into another day. Sun beams in, bouncing off the beautiful barn and century-old trees. Fire roars and coffee-table books abound. This is a woman who loves the country, land, and purpose.
Our paths have crossed two times in one month, and for good reason. Signe walks Whitney and Thayer Woods and Weir River Farm daily. She loves what we mean for her family, her life, and for the people of Hingham where she and her husband are raising their four children. She thinks a lot about our properties on these daily walks and has used her ideas to drive a movement. Let me explain.
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Chefs from Tosca prepare our delicious dinner with
veggies sourced right from Weir River Farm. |
Signe believes in locally sourced food. So much so that she conceived our first Farm to Table dinner with Trustees’ colleagues, Ed Pitcavage and Meg Connolly. She recruited a few friends and they were off and running, planning and executing one of the most amazing feasts I’ve ever had the privilege of joining – all of it locally sourced right from Weir River. A blissful Saturday afternoon in September, Signe and friends welcomed 100-plus guests from Hingham for a memorable experience – one I hope we can replicate across our farm network.
I watched a movement be born in Hingham through this effort, and it is energizing. Through one property, we’ve excited new Trustees about the vital role a local farm plays in a community. We’ve awakened the magic a reservation creates for the new visitor. And we’ve brought the farm to the table. All values we believe in at The Trustees and in symphony.
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Katie with Meg Connolly, our long-time
farm educator. |
It’s because of Signe that I got to meet another special lady, Katie Bilzekian. Katie started coming to Weir River when she was seven; she’s now 15. Katie was one of Meg’s first 4-H’ers, and I am thrilled that Meg and Weir River have created a true ambassador of farming, seven years strong. Katie reminds me so much of Signe – both in love with Weir River and dedicated to its stability and programming.
Whether you live in the area or are just passing through, a stop at Weir River is well worth the experience. Be on the lookout for Signe on her daily walk along the stone wall or Katie tending to the animals. One afternoon on the farm and you’ll be an ambassador for local food and local farms for life – just like the rest of us.
