Brookwood Community Farm
Staff

HANNAH HELFNER Farm Manager (she/her)

Hannah is a grower and educator with extensive experience in small-scale annual vegetable, flower, and herb production. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Food and Farming from the University of Massachusetts’ Stockbridge School of Agriculture, where she worked at the UMass Student Farm during her undergraduate degree. Since 2014, she has worked on farms ranging from ¼ acre to over 30 acres in Western Mass, Vermont, Washington, and California until beginning at Brookwood in 2019. Advancing from Field Crew to Farm Manager throughout the years makes her a well-rounded leader for the farm. In her free time, Hannah volunteers with The New Garden Society educating incarcerated students on how to grow food, enjoys swimming in the sunshine, and traveling during the off-season.

DEVEN MERRELL Assistant Farm Manager Senior Grower/Market Manager (they/them)

Deven joined the Brookwood crew in 2018 and has loved growing and learning in the intervening years. Their favorite parts of farming are the requisite creative solutions to unique problems and the reward of late-season crops like leeks and celeriac. Deven is excited about rainy days, both on and off the farm, and the wonders of purple veggies. They are a non-binary trans person and are often happy to answer questions and educate folks about trans vocabulary and justice.

Megan suda Farm Administrator (she/her)

Megan joined the Brookwood crew as a part-time employee in 2022 and was promoted to full-time at the start of 2024! She is the go-to person for the CSA, Farm Stand, and events on the farm. She is passionate about all things sustainability, local food, and Brookwood! 

sharon engel Assistant Farmer (she/them)

Sharon is an assistant grower returning this spring after joining the team last summer. She is from central Pennsylvania and studied anthropology & environmental studies in college. Sharon is passionate about food justice, clouds, orange vegetables, and critters of all kinds! She is excited to grow and learn from the land as we farm into the future. 

Rachel eber Assistant Farmer (she/her)

Rachel grew up in and around Boston and has been working at small farms in Massachusetts and Iowa since 2014. She joined the Brookwood crew in 2023. Her favorite parts of farming are learning about seeds, getting obsessed with new veggies each season, and sharing farm produce with friends and family. Outside of farming, she loves to play music, cook, and spend time near bodies of water.

Martha Cano Assistant Farmer (she/her)

I was born and raised in Medellín-Colombia. I have always lived in the countryside, surrounded by animals and orchards with vegetables, fruits, and flowers. I love life in the country and I have always liked eating organic products and fresh eggs. It is a pleasure to be part of this entire process. I love watching the sunrise and sunset. In July/2023 I began to be part of the Brookwood community, and the love with which we work here fills me with happiness. We feel like family, we laugh and learn about crops and our cultures. I am deeply grateful to be part of this beautiful community.