Page 47 - BusinessWest October 27, 2021

apprenticeship at Indian Line, with nearly half of them pursuing a career in agriculture.
More than half of Keen’s apprentices over the years have been women, many of whom have told her the example she sets as a female farmer is meaningful to them.
“I came to farming at age 26 with no experience in how to mow, use sharp tools,
“Getting to know other farmers reinforces that we are all in this together; we recognize all the challenges and complications that come with this life, and we’re not facing it alone.”
or drive a tractor,” she said. “I benefited
from wonderful mentors, and now I have the opportunity to share these experiences with other women. It’s empowering for them and for me.”
While she has also taught plenty of men how to drive a tractor, women are often less likely to have had the opportunity to learn these types of skills.
farmers to get together and socialize. Keen wanted something more intentional, so she started a group called Farmers Gather.
“A meeting consists of a tour at an area farm with a potluck dinner to follow,” she explained. Before COVID-19 put a damper on regular meetings, the gatherings often brought together farmers who had lived in the area for many years, but didn’t really know each other.
“In a social sense it’s been terrific, but it’s even more than that,” she said. “Getting to know other farmers reinforces that we are all in this together; we recognize all the challenges and complications that come with this life, and we’re not facing it alone.”
Margaret Moulton, executive director of Berkshire Grown, noted that, on top of Keen’s contributions to the farming community, her work to eradicate food insecurity ranks among her most impressive efforts.
“Through Berkshire Grown’s Share the Bounty program in partnership with the People’s Pantry, Elizabeth provides tons of fresh food to low- income residents in the county,” Moulton said.
Keen estimated that 10 shares of food reach the People’s Pantry through her personal contributions, and other members spend a little extra for their shares to help out. The arrival
huge part of the effort.”
The Next Generation
During her time in Guatemala, Keen learned to speak Spanish. When snowfall covers the farm, one of her winter passions is practicing her Spanish as an interpreter for Volunteers in Medicine, a clinic located in Great Barrington with a mission to improve access to healthcare for Berkshire residents.
And, yes, she did return to Guatemala. In 2016, she and her children, Colin and Helen (ages 18 and 15, respectively), spent six months in one of the small indigenous communities where Keen had worked many years before. After a humbling moment when she realized Guatemalans have survived for centuries without her farm knowledge, Keen instead taught English in the middle school.
“This was a chance to give back in a way that felt concrete,” she said. As a bonus, Colin and Helen learned Spanish while there.
“I’m really proud that Al and I have been able to parent two children who can say they grew up on a farm,” she said. “I don’t think they are going to be farmers, but they know how to work, use tools, and they are both strong.”
Keen feels her greatest professional achievement has been to keep the farm where the CSA movement started a success today and into the future. “It’s an honor to keep Robyn Van En’s vision alive here at the birthplace of CSA.”
With everything she does for the farming community and neighbors in need, many would say Keen is forging her own legacy — as a true Woman of Impact. n
of COVID last year greatly increased the need — and the generosity of even more members who donated extra money to make more food available to their neighbors who needed it.
Women of IMPACT
While the demands of the farm can easily “It’s easy for me to be generous because, over keep Keen busy from dawn to dusk, she and the years, people have been so generous to us,” Thorp felt it important to develop a community she said. “There are also many people helping in among others who were farming in the area. important ways, such as transporting the food They began by informally reaching out to other from the farm to those who need it; that’s a
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