Farm Staff

Meet our staff

At Spring Brook Farm‚ our staff is highly experienced in the areas of outdoor‚ environmental and/or agricultural education. The staff’s experience in working with both children and agriculture provides an unparalleled learning experience for urban youth.

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Rob Macri, Education Director

Received his Masters in Education/Environmental Science. Rob joined the Foundation staff in 2002. His responsibilities include overall management of the education program, scheduling schools and ensuring school academics and teacher's goals remain integrated into the Mission of Farms For City Kids. Rob can be found in most places around the farm, but his true passion is sharing his love and knowledge of the outdoors with the children.

Billie Lambdin‚ Educator & Gardner

Billie received her BA in Healing Arts and Environmental Science from Goddard College in Plainfield‚ VT. Her focus is gardening science and connecting children to the origin of our food. Billie uses her vast knowledge of adventure based games and challenges to reinforce the lessons of teamwork and problem solving.

Karen Barr‚ Head Cook

Karen uses her culinary skills to make delicious home-cooked meals for the students and teachers. A Reading native‚ Karen previously managed the kitchen at Reading Elementary School for 10 years. Karen joined our team in 2004.

Kristin Haney‚ Evening Cook

Kristin joined the Farms For City Kids team this year bringing with her many years of experience in the kitchen. Kristin has over 7 years experience working with the Upper Valley Senior Center and Meals on Wheels. She can COOK!

Curt Allen‚ Field Foreman & Chief Sugar Maker

Curt is instrumental in field and equipment upkeep‚ milks in the dairy barn and also serves as the Deputy Fire Chief with the Reading Volunteer Fire Department. Curt has been a Farms for City Kids employee since 1993.

Gary Vittum‚ Operations Manager

Gary uses his love and knowledge of the Farm to keep it running efficiently and looking its best. He also can be found talking and laughing with the kids in both the dairy barn and dorm. Gary is the Chief of the Reading Volunteer Fire Department.

Jeremy Stephenson‚ Cheese Program Director

Jeremy joined Farms For City Kids in 2008 as head cheese maker at the new Spring Brook Farm Cheese House. He completed course work at UVM and received certification as a cheese maker from the Vermont Institute of Artisian Cheese. Most recently trained by a master cheese maker from France in the making and aging of Tarentaise cheese, Jeremy is responsible for the production and sales of Spring Brook Farm's Tarentaise cheese.

Michele Palazzo‚ Herdsperson

Michele joined the Farm in Spring 2008. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2000 with a BS in Dairy Management, participated in their first "CREAM" program and worked at their teaching and research facility. You will see Michele every afternoon with the kids, teaching them the proper techniques to handle the cows and their milk for the Farm's cheese production.