Our Team
Farm Staff
Curt Allen, Farm Director
Having been involved with the Farm since 1983 when his family managed Spring Brook Farm, Curt was named Farm Director in 2010. He is responsible for managing the Farm’s 1,000 acres, teaching students sustainable and land stewardship practices whether harvesting hay in the fields, milking Jersey cows in the dairy barn or producing maple syrup in our Sugar House.
Sarah Lewis, Herd Manager
Sarah grew up in a small town in New Hampshire and has always had a love for animals. She attended the University of New Hampshire where she found her passion for the dairy industry, graduating in 2014 with a major in Pre-Veterinary Medicine and a minor in Dairy Management.
After graduating, Sarah left her home state and moved to Vermont. She worked for a dairy reproduction company for two years, overseeing breeding protocols for several large farms. Joining Spring Brook Farm in 2016, Sarah is responsible for the overall management of the dairy barn including milking and caring for our Jersey herd.
Sarah lives in Reading with her husband Adam and young children, Eva and Scarlett, Forrest. She enjoys reading and cooking, and loves any activity outside, especially skiing in the winter.
Ashley Maxham, Herd Manager
Ashley grew up locally and has had a passion for animals since she was young. She graduated from the University of Vermont, majoring in Environmental Science & Forestry. Her life long dream of becoming a veterinarian lead her to seek work and experience at local farms during high school. Her farm skills started with horses and progressed into a love for dairy farming. Having worked on dairy farms since 2005, she was excited to become part of the Spring Brook Farm team in 2015.
Ashley lives in Reading with her sons Turner, and Mason, and their dog Acer. She enjoys jogging, is a member of a local roller derby team, and volunteers for the Reading Fire Department.
Adam Lewis, Farmer
Adam worked on his family’s dairy farm while growing up and is a 5th generation farmer. His family’s farm is only 20 minutes away, located in Pomfret, Vermont. Adam has always had a passion for farming. He graduated from Vermont Technical College in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in Dairy Farm Management. Upon graduation, Adam traveled west for a summer on his motorcycle before coming back to Vermont to work on the family farm. There he milked 60 cows, sugared, hayed, and operated a portable sawmill. He left to join Farms for City Kids in June of 2021 and he has been helping wherever he is needed, usually on a tractor but also occasionally with the cows. Adam lives in Reading with his wife Sarah and their young children, Eva, Scarlett & Forrest. Adam enjoys being outside hunting, skiing, or 4-wheeling in his jeep.
Tatiana Werner-McCarthy, Office Manager
Tatiana works with the Farm & Education directors. She is the liaison between the farm office and the business office in New York. She is the smiling face that greets you in the office, and the paparazzi that follows the school kids. She tries her best to get lots of photos of each school group posted to Facebook, so parents, families, and friends can see what the kids are doing while they are here at the farm. She also enjoys doing farm tours.
Tatiana, loves living near the farm with her 2 younger children. A budding herbalist, if she isn’t in her gardens, she is planning next year’s gardens. She loves dancing, cooking, reading & crafting.
Education Staff
Robert Macri, Education Director
Rob is responsible for the development and management of the education program including school scheduling and ensuring the Farm program is calibrated to school academic learning standards. Named Education Director in 2005, Rob is often found working with the kids throughout the farm, teaching his knowledge of the outdoors.
Rob joined the Farm in 2002 and holds a Masters Degree Education and Environmental Science. A volunteer on the Reading Fire Department, Rob was also a founding member of the Plymouth, VT Fast Squad, a group of EMT and first responders who arrive prior to ambulances in rural areas.
Molly Quinn, Educator
Molly’s passion lies in educating children about nature, the environment and the surrounding communities in which they live. Her previous work experience throughout the country includes various positions in research and education and a tremendous amount of educational and environmental knowledge.
Molly joined the Education staff in 2011 with a BS in Natural Resources from Northland College in Ashland, WI. She is on the local rescue squad, is an outdoor enthusiast, a member of the local Women’s Ice Hockey League, plays trumpet with local community bands, and thinks there is no such thing as too much snow.
Jake Logiudice, Educator
Jake is a educator who joined the farm as an intern in 2017, and later returned as a full time employee in 2022. He graduated from Unity College, and holds a B.S. in Adventure-based Environmental Education. Jake is willing to learn alongside students, and is always looking to improve himself as a professional and as an educator.
When Jake isn’t on the farm, he enjoys camping and hiking with friends, writing, and board games.
Sue Lenfest, Educator
Sue grew up in South Woodstock, Vermont on a family dairy farm. Went on to Art school and had jobs working with children on the ski slopes , in local schools, and on farms. She has her my own children, all raised in Vermont. Nothing brings her joy like seeing children enjoying the farm life . It’s the best!
Eight years now she’s been a basket maker. Her baskets are made from the the local Ash trees . 😀
Diane Wheeler-Moore, Kitchen Manager
Diane has been working for Farms For City Kids since 2010. She started out as a part time prep and lunch server, and took over as kitchen manager in 2014. She volunteered at the Reading Elementary School kitchen for many years.Diane grew up in Waterford, Connecticut and moved to Vermont in 1989. She worked in her families catering business before moving to Vermont. She is married and has two daughters. She graduated in 1996 from The Community College of Vermont with an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education.
Deana Champney, Kitchen
Deana joined our team in 2012 in the kitchen department. Deana has worked in kitchen school systems for many years. She worked at a private boarding school for 17 years as cook and baker, and she also worked as a kitchen manager for 2 years.
Deana grew up in Canaan N.H. and moved to Vermont in 2011. Deana has 2 grown daughters and 4 granddaughters. She volunteers at the Reading Food Shelf. Deana also has a love of animals.