At Big Foot Food Forest currently
Babette & Mark
After three decades of working on global models of education systems, Babette found her inner alias, Big Foot. She turned to permaculture farming and started Big Foot Food Forest with her husband Mark. She believes the three keys to happiness are: Good food, enjoyed with good company, after a day of doing good work.
Mark is the on-site builder. He built the farm's kitchen, bathroom, garden house, and is now turning to timber-framing for the small straw-bale studio. He also made most of the farm's pottery. In his free time, he is the provost at Olin College of Engineering.
After three decades of working on global models of education systems, Babette found her inner alias, Big Foot. She turned to permaculture farming and started Big Foot Food Forest with her husband Mark. She believes the three keys to happiness are: Good food, enjoyed with good company, after a day of doing good work.
Mark is the on-site builder. He built the farm's kitchen, bathroom, garden house, and is now turning to timber-framing for the small straw-bale studio. He also made most of the farm's pottery. In his free time, he is the provost at Olin College of Engineering.
Charlotte
Charlotte has been co-managing the Big Foot Chickens enterprise with Babette since 2020. She raises chicks, helped build the first hoop house, cares for the hens, and communicates with our CSA members. She is also around on the farm doing design and field work when her other activities allow. Charlotte dreams of turning the Food Forest adding an artist residency program to the farm someday.
Charlotte has been co-managing the Big Foot Chickens enterprise with Babette since 2020. She raises chicks, helped build the first hoop house, cares for the hens, and communicates with our CSA members. She is also around on the farm doing design and field work when her other activities allow. Charlotte dreams of turning the Food Forest adding an artist residency program to the farm someday.
2022 alums
Astrid
Another enterprising young woman taking solo tour of the America's! Astrid, from Germany, is taking five months to explore the United States and South America via workaway, rail, hostels, learning Spanish in Guatemala. We moved the hoop house together (amazing), froze a bushel of corn, and painted the inside of the straw bale studio with lime wash. She made us a typical delicious dish from her region - süß saure Eier (sweet sour eggs). Astrid loved the local, in-season peaches, and the pecan rolls from Rise Above Bakery! Happy travels Astrid, we're glad they included us!
Another enterprising young woman taking solo tour of the America's! Astrid, from Germany, is taking five months to explore the United States and South America via workaway, rail, hostels, learning Spanish in Guatemala. We moved the hoop house together (amazing), froze a bushel of corn, and painted the inside of the straw bale studio with lime wash. She made us a typical delicious dish from her region - süß saure Eier (sweet sour eggs). Astrid loved the local, in-season peaches, and the pecan rolls from Rise Above Bakery! Happy travels Astrid, we're glad they included us!
Camille, Jim, and Wiley
At the end of August, this wonderful little family from Austin came and stayed for two weeks. They managed being sociable and kind, an online job, juggling child care, doing farm chores, and checking out every nook of Happy Valley for possible places to move to (escape from increasing Southern heat...). We loved having them and hope to see them again around here! |
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Gustave, Marie, and Xinran
This great early 20's three-some joined us via separate routes, but it turned out to be a great combination. How serendipitous! While they were at Big Foot Food Forest, they represented three continents - Asia, North America, and Europe! Wow. They helped in a multitude of ways- including moving many wheelbarrows of composted chicken manure and giving it to our berries after aerating the soil around them; plastering the straw bale studio. Gustave also single-handedly managed cutting feed for the 15 sheep (that's a lot of feed) for 10 days while I had a flu. Thank you to all of them! Happy travels, and all the best in your next year of studies!
This great early 20's three-some joined us via separate routes, but it turned out to be a great combination. How serendipitous! While they were at Big Foot Food Forest, they represented three continents - Asia, North America, and Europe! Wow. They helped in a multitude of ways- including moving many wheelbarrows of composted chicken manure and giving it to our berries after aerating the soil around them; plastering the straw bale studio. Gustave also single-handedly managed cutting feed for the 15 sheep (that's a lot of feed) for 10 days while I had a flu. Thank you to all of them! Happy travels, and all the best in your next year of studies!
Bill and Lisa
Bill and Lisa left their comfortable jobs in Baltimore to go traveling with Workaway. That is brave and amazing! They are super hard-working, and the hours melt away in their engaging company. They helped us do most of the plaster work inside the straw building and put in the first layer of the earth floor. They also brought Max who became good friends with our Luna. |
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Alex
Alex (shown here with Babette looking very goofy) came to us for a short while in July on the last leg of her six-month solo journey through South and North America. We love the chutzpah to go traveling by yourself! Alex helped us get the farm back into some semblance of order after Babette disappeared from the scene for six weeks having COVID. She learned to use various power tools mowing around the house, and weed wacking the raspberry field, and found she loved it. She promised to come back when we have a tractor. :)
Alex (shown here with Babette looking very goofy) came to us for a short while in July on the last leg of her six-month solo journey through South and North America. We love the chutzpah to go traveling by yourself! Alex helped us get the farm back into some semblance of order after Babette disappeared from the scene for six weeks having COVID. She learned to use various power tools mowing around the house, and weed wacking the raspberry field, and found she loved it. She promised to come back when we have a tractor. :)
Auyon
Auyon joined us for two weeks in May 2022. He helped us with raising the timber frame on May 21, and with starting to get a handle on the deep litter in the chicken and sheep house. Auyon is a member of the well-known band, Darlingside. We had a great time and enjoyed the many conversations! And thank you for inviting us to the concert - we loved it!
Auyon joined us for two weeks in May 2022. He helped us with raising the timber frame on May 21, and with starting to get a handle on the deep litter in the chicken and sheep house. Auyon is a member of the well-known band, Darlingside. We had a great time and enjoyed the many conversations! And thank you for inviting us to the concert - we loved it!
Mariel
Mariel joined us on short notice after her van broke down on a cross-country road trip. She hails from Winnipeg and is a wiz at Instagram posting - she gave Babette lots of pointers, but I am afraid Babette is still a dooby when it comes to Instagram. Mariel helped with early Spring projects like adding some supporting plants to our berry field - mostly comfrey and peppermint from our Needham site. Although we are very sorry that the cause of your coming to stay was a van break-down, we so glad you came to stay with us!
Mariel joined us on short notice after her van broke down on a cross-country road trip. She hails from Winnipeg and is a wiz at Instagram posting - she gave Babette lots of pointers, but I am afraid Babette is still a dooby when it comes to Instagram. Mariel helped with early Spring projects like adding some supporting plants to our berry field - mostly comfrey and peppermint from our Needham site. Although we are very sorry that the cause of your coming to stay was a van break-down, we so glad you came to stay with us!
Hermine and Paul
Paul and Hermine stayed with us the entire month of April, 2022 and were a non-stop power couple. When one of them was not preparing to run the Boston marathon, or manage workawayers on their own farm and house in Spain long-distance, they were building the foundation for the straw bale studio and putting up the little farm stand. We cannot thank them enough. We love that they are hosts and travelers on workaway. We enjoyed their company and wry humor and hope we meet again.
Paul and Hermine stayed with us the entire month of April, 2022 and were a non-stop power couple. When one of them was not preparing to run the Boston marathon, or manage workawayers on their own farm and house in Spain long-distance, they were building the foundation for the straw bale studio and putting up the little farm stand. We cannot thank them enough. We love that they are hosts and travelers on workaway. We enjoyed their company and wry humor and hope we meet again.
Drew
Drew stayed with us from October 2021 - March 2022. He helped us with many building projects, including bird houses, the barn builds, tables, and small benches. A memorable day was moving about 10,000 lbs of large beams with Drew for our timber frame and straw bale studio build. Drew is an artist / illustrator and plans to spend the rest of 2022 in the South, where he is originally from, drawing and spending time with family. Thank you Drew!
Drew stayed with us from October 2021 - March 2022. He helped us with many building projects, including bird houses, the barn builds, tables, and small benches. A memorable day was moving about 10,000 lbs of large beams with Drew for our timber frame and straw bale studio build. Drew is an artist / illustrator and plans to spend the rest of 2022 in the South, where he is originally from, drawing and spending time with family. Thank you Drew!
Jacqueline
Jacqueline stayed with us longer-term from in 2021/22. This website exists thanks to all of the great work she did. She wrote blog posts, fairy tales, upgraded and expanded the website, and got our Instagram back up and running. She also helped with building projects in the Fall and taking care of the animals during the Winter. Jacqueline is a writer, who is pursuing her passion next year at the University of Maine Graduate in English program. We are going to miss her!
Jacqueline stayed with us longer-term from in 2021/22. This website exists thanks to all of the great work she did. She wrote blog posts, fairy tales, upgraded and expanded the website, and got our Instagram back up and running. She also helped with building projects in the Fall and taking care of the animals during the Winter. Jacqueline is a writer, who is pursuing her passion next year at the University of Maine Graduate in English program. We are going to miss her!
Emma
In January, Emma stayed with us in Needham for three weeks, joining Babette in an assortment of winter projects. We cleaned the fleeces shorn from our sheep in May and started carding them. We expanded our chestnut and king oyster mushroom spawn into grow bins, and we cleaned out a number of closets in the house. She also made us some awesome kimchi. Bon voyage Emma, 'til next time!
In January, Emma stayed with us in Needham for three weeks, joining Babette in an assortment of winter projects. We cleaned the fleeces shorn from our sheep in May and started carding them. We expanded our chestnut and king oyster mushroom spawn into grow bins, and we cleaned out a number of closets in the house. She also made us some awesome kimchi. Bon voyage Emma, 'til next time!
2021 alums
Kaoru & Teppei
Our last arrivals in 2021 were Kaoru and Teppei from Japan. They stayed for a week and helped us build and put in metal wire cages to protect our baby berry plants from hungry critters over the winter. They also cooked a delicious sushi dinner. Thank you Kaoru and Teppei!
Our last arrivals in 2021 were Kaoru and Teppei from Japan. They stayed for a week and helped us build and put in metal wire cages to protect our baby berry plants from hungry critters over the winter. They also cooked a delicious sushi dinner. Thank you Kaoru and Teppei!
Judit and Violeta
Judit and Violeta from Spain joined us in October for a month and helped to finish the two barns (hooray!) as well as doing some awesome deep cleaning in our house in Needham. We enjoyed their daily good cheer! Thank you Judit and Violeta!
Judit and Violeta from Spain joined us in October for a month and helped to finish the two barns (hooray!) as well as doing some awesome deep cleaning in our house in Needham. We enjoyed their daily good cheer! Thank you Judit and Violeta!
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The Van Gelder Family
The Great Van Gelder Invasion happened for two weeks in September. The family of four from Arizona – traveling across the US and Costa Rica for a year – did the sheer impossible by moving our old barn from across the street to its new location next to our house. We had great conversations and miss you all. Thank you van Gelders! |
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Omer
Omer from Israel/Brookline visited us in September. He helped so together lots of hardware cloth for the new chicken hoop house. Thank you, Omer!
Omer from Israel/Brookline visited us in September. He helped so together lots of hardware cloth for the new chicken hoop house. Thank you, Omer!
Emily
Emily from Pennsylvania arrived in September for three weeks. She was a great help, painting our house with pine tar finish and putting in the posts and beams in the new barns with Babette. She made us a beautiful carved table. Thank you, Emily!
Emily from Pennsylvania arrived in September for three weeks. She was a great help, painting our house with pine tar finish and putting in the posts and beams in the new barns with Babette. She made us a beautiful carved table. Thank you, Emily!
Nicolas & Friends
Nicolas from Grandby came with two friends to do their Annual Volunteer Day on August 24. They helped build the new barn. Thank you for choosing us for your volunteer day!
Nicolas from Grandby came with two friends to do their Annual Volunteer Day on August 24. They helped build the new barn. Thank you for choosing us for your volunteer day!
Linda & Jerry
Linda and Jerry from Olin College came for 10 days in August. Linda and Babette built the first wall of the new barn while Jerry and Eric put up the hoops for the new hoop house. Both of them served us good helpings of good cheer too! Thank you Jerry and Linda!
Linda and Jerry from Olin College came for 10 days in August. Linda and Babette built the first wall of the new barn while Jerry and Eric put up the hoops for the new hoop house. Both of them served us good helpings of good cheer too! Thank you Jerry and Linda!
Eric
Eric from Texas joined us for a few weeks in August. He worked on video sound in Boston, and while at the farm helped to put up the new hoop house for the chickens. Thank you, Eric!
Eric from Texas joined us for a few weeks in August. He worked on video sound in Boston, and while at the farm helped to put up the new hoop house for the chickens. Thank you, Eric!
Klara
Charlotte’s friend Klara helped us for a couple of days making cages for the hardy Almond trees to keep the sheep from eating them. Thank you, Klara!
Charlotte’s friend Klara helped us for a couple of days making cages for the hardy Almond trees to keep the sheep from eating them. Thank you, Klara!
Jennalyn
Jennalyn from Arizona visited us for two weeks in July before continuing on to a trans-Europe trip. Jennalyn amazed us with her skillful execution, cleaning up our rainbarrel battery in Needham and organizing the basement with all the farming and gardening Stuff. Her dry sense of humor lightened the days. Thank you, Jennalyn!
Jennalyn from Arizona visited us for two weeks in July before continuing on to a trans-Europe trip. Jennalyn amazed us with her skillful execution, cleaning up our rainbarrel battery in Needham and organizing the basement with all the farming and gardening Stuff. Her dry sense of humor lightened the days. Thank you, Jennalyn!
Deysi
Deysi from Honduras/Houston visisted us for a week in July. Deysi helped put the finishing touches on the drip irrigation system that we finally found to work. Thank you, Deysi!
Deysi from Honduras/Houston visisted us for a week in July. Deysi helped put the finishing touches on the drip irrigation system that we finally found to work. Thank you, Deysi!
Caitlin, Stella, Sophia, and Olivia
Caitlin, Stella, Sophia, and Olivia from Olin College visited us on their first stop of the great Eastern Regenerative Farm tour. They bent the hoops for the new barn. Thank you, Caitlin, Stella, Sophia and Olivia!
Caitlin, Stella, Sophia, and Olivia from Olin College visited us on their first stop of the great Eastern Regenerative Farm tour. They bent the hoops for the new barn. Thank you, Caitlin, Stella, Sophia and Olivia!
Jospeh
Joseph from Tennessee joined us for a couple of weeks in June. He singlehandedly harvested all of the strawberries in Needham and was a general awesome sport about the overall circumstances, giving us a lesson in good graces. Thank you, Joseph!
Joseph from Tennessee joined us for a couple of weeks in June. He singlehandedly harvested all of the strawberries in Needham and was a general awesome sport about the overall circumstances, giving us a lesson in good graces. Thank you, Joseph!
Cori, Dana & Alex
Cori, Dana and Alex came to stay a few months in Spring and helped us to plant the entire berry field over the next few months. We put in rows of plastic mulch, moved entire mountains of wood chips, and planted hundreds of little goji’s, seaberries, blueberries, hardy kiwis, almonds, cornelian cherries, and aronia bushes. Cori also helped with the new hoop house. Thank you Cori, Dana, and Alex!
Cori, Dana and Alex came to stay a few months in Spring and helped us to plant the entire berry field over the next few months. We put in rows of plastic mulch, moved entire mountains of wood chips, and planted hundreds of little goji’s, seaberries, blueberries, hardy kiwis, almonds, cornelian cherries, and aronia bushes. Cori also helped with the new hoop house. Thank you Cori, Dana, and Alex!