NESFI Board

Our Board

2026 Board Members

Grace Adzima

President

Grace’s family has been farming in Belchertown since 1902. They ran a dairy until the mid-80’s and then transitioned to beef production. The farm also maintains a large forest tract. Grace recently retired from Hampshire College after 42 years. She is on the Board of the Belchertown Farmers Market and was Co-Chair and Program Director of the Belchertown Agricultural Commission from its beginning in 2006 until 2016.

Susie McCrea

Treasurer

I grew up in Belchertown and my dad was the Head Farmer at the Belchertown State School Farm from 1961-1972. Myself and my 6 siblings spent time on the Farm enjoying the horses, chickens, dairy cows and the farming my father orchestrated.

Joining the NESFI board is an honor. My experience and skills gained in the corporate world are being used to help add value to the organization and the community.

I also serve on the Board of Directors at the non-profit organization, The Lathrop Home, in Northampton. Over the past 6 years, roles have ranged from President to Secretary . I also chair the Personnel Committee.

In addition to serving on both boards, I do business consulting for a few companies. In my spare time, I enjoy kayaking, hiking, walking my dog, and spending time with family.

Sara Weil

Clerk

I am a market gardener at NESFI. My association with NESFI began in the 1990s, when I apprenticed in its farmer training program. Other farming experience includes work on a dairy farm in upstate NY, a large biodynamic farm in New Zealand, and managing the organic produce production at Bramble Hill Farm, in Amherst. I have a Masters degree in Plant & Soil Science from UMass Amherst, with a concentration on nutrient accumulation in vegetable crops. The opportunity NESFI has given me is something I want to share with others who have a commitment to sustainable agriculture.

Patricia (Pat) Barry

Board Member

I am a co-leader the Belchertown 4-H Community Garden Club at Lampson Brook Farm. We donate all our produce to the local food pantries and the Belchertown Senior Center. I am also the chair of the McPherson Garden Committee. For 25 years, I was the director and PATH International instructor for Pioneer Valley Therapeutic Riding Association, a Premiere Accredited Center, teaching horseback riding lessons to children and adults with disabilities. I am excited to be a part of this great team and supporting NESFI going forward.

Lawrence Tucker

Board Member

I currently have three main passions in life that fill up my time and they are hiking, biking, snowmobiling and all of the trail related activities that support these endeavors I have become very involved in helping NESFI achieve its goals for the future. My goal is to help the NESFI community continue its mission and vision into the future in Belchertown.

Gregory Ormsby Mori

Board Member

Gregory’s connection with NESFI began in the 1980s when he served as an intern on the farm after studying sustainable agriculture at UC Davis. He has remained in contact with NESFI throughout a decades-long career that took him away from the valley while working with international development agencies, and from 2014 – 2020, as the Education and Outreach Coordinator for the MU Center for Agroforestry. In the mid-2010s, he served on the original Friends of the Farm committee that began exploring options for the permanent protection and future stewardship of the Lampson Brook Farm site. Back in the valley again since 2020, Gregory practices “forest farming” and grows shiitake mushrooms on a small 27 acre homestead abutting the Quabbin Reservoir. He joined the board of directors in 2021 and is now very pleased to be working again with NESFI in the role of President, supporting the process for the permanent protection of the NESFI site, and steering the organization towards the future and its continued mission of advancing sustainable production and stewardship of small farms and forests across the region.