Our Mission Statement
Our Mission Statement
Our Mission Statement
Silverwood Organic Farm’s mission is to reclaim and restore historic farmland as a community resource for the production of certified organic, locally grown produce using sustainable farming methods. We are committed to farm preservation through the active use of historic farmland, ensuring it remains vibrant and productive for future generations. Our dedication to sustainable farming benefits the environment, supports local agriculture and the economy, and provides ultra-fresh, nutrient-rich organic produce for the community to enjoy.
USDA Certification
Our Mission Statement
Our Mission Statement
We go the extra mile by undergoing the rigorous organic certification process to ensure our farm complies with USDA Organic Regulations. This certification guarantees the integrity of our growing practices and the quality of our produce for our customers— from sourcing certified organic seeds to growing without pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.
Our farm is proudly certified organic by Baystate Organic Certifiers, an accredited agency of the USDA National Organic Program.
Sustainable Farming
Good for the Consumer
- Ultra - fresh, seasonal, and local produce offers the most flavor and nutrition. No wax coatings, chemical ripening agents, and other preservatives
- Certified organic produce grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers
- Exposure to new vegetables and new ways of cooking
- Kids typically favor food from “their” farm- even veggies they’ve never been known to eat
- Develop a relationship with the farmer who grows your food and learn more about how food is grown and how to store and prepare it
Good for the Environment
- The land is treated with respect
- As a small local farm, it is more energy efficient with plenty of handwork and small machinery
- Relatively little energy expended in distribution (the average distance from food to plate outside of community supported agriculture is 1300 miles!)
- Cover crops are planted to prevent erosion and replace nutrients into the soil
Good for the Farmer
- Have an opportunity to get to know the people who eat the food they grow
- Farmer can concentrate on farming, on what they do best, rather than marketing their products
- Community support in the dwindling quantity of small local farms
Meet the Farm Managers
Abel Clark, Farm Manager
Laura Raney, Farm Manager
Laura Raney, Farm Manager
Abel joined Silverwood Organic Farm at the beginning of the 2012 season and is responsible for all operational activities on the Farm. His knowledge of planting and high standards for harvesting has gained him the reputation as our "resident botanist". Abel's passion for farming came from gardening in his backyard with his mother. By usin
Abel joined Silverwood Organic Farm at the beginning of the 2012 season and is responsible for all operational activities on the Farm. His knowledge of planting and high standards for harvesting has gained him the reputation as our "resident botanist". Abel's passion for farming came from gardening in his backyard with his mother. By using an array of techniques and experimenting with a number of varieties of plants in his garden, he has developed a love of delicious produce and unusual flowers.
Abel's favorite vegetable is fresh organic brussel sprouts steamed to perfection with a dash of sea salt and freshly ground pepper!
Laura Raney, Farm Manager
Laura Raney, Farm Manager
Laura Raney, Farm Manager
Laura joined Silverwood Organic Farm in the 2012 season and is responsible for all business and commercial relationships of the Farm. Laura has a knack for cooking with farm fresh vegetables and she loves to share her kitchen secrets! Laura's knowledge of the Farm, eagerness to help customers, and enthusiasm for local, organic produce is
Laura joined Silverwood Organic Farm in the 2012 season and is responsible for all business and commercial relationships of the Farm. Laura has a knack for cooking with farm fresh vegetables and she loves to share her kitchen secrets! Laura's knowledge of the Farm, eagerness to help customers, and enthusiasm for local, organic produce is a great resource to the Farm and our growing list of customers.
Her favorite vegetable is pea tendrils which she lightly sautés in olive oil and sea salt!
Meet the Founders and Owners
The Hodson-Walker Family
Jonathan and Lisa Hodson-Walker have lived in Sherborn for over 30 years and purchased Silverwood Farm in 1997. Since moving to the farm, the Hodson-Walkers have maintained a large family garden to provide fresh vegetables during the summer months. Over the years, their interest and experience in organic vegetable gardening has grown, as has their interest in farm preservation through active use of historic farmland. Silverwood Organic Farm is the result of a desire to bring the farm back into active production with sustainable farming practices and to share locally grown, organic vegetables with the community.
Jonathan Hodson-Walker
Jonathan Hodson-Walker is a co-founder of Silverwood Farm LLC. Jonathan’s family has been involved in the farming industry for over 100 years in the United Kingdom.
In addition to his involvement with Silverwood Farm, Jonathan is the Managing Partner of Silverwood Partners, a specialized investment banking firm that is focused on the consumer products and technology industries. He has over 25 years of investment banking and consulting experience in the United States and Europe. Jonathan has provided investment banking and strategic advisory services to a broad range of consumer, technology, healthcare and industrial growth companies.
Prior to founding Silverwood Partners, Jonathan worked for a number of investment banking firms in New York, London and Boston, including Credit Suisse First Boston, Drexel Burnham Lambert, Gleacher & Co., (formerly First Albany Corporation) and H.C. Wainwright. He received an MBA in Finance from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University on a Fulbright Scholarship and a BEng. (First Class Honors) degree in Mechanical Engineering Services from the University of Liverpool.
Lisa Hodson-Walker
Lisa M. Hodson-Walker is co-founder of Silverwood Farm LLC.
Lisa is a Managing Director with Silverwood Partners and is focused on the consumer sector. She was previously Vice President of Small Business Marketing and Marketing Strategy for Staples, Inc., the leading retailer of office products worldwide. Lisa held a number of finance and marketing positions with Staples, including financial analysis, budgeting, and forecasting, and was ultimately responsible for all small business marketing execution and marketing strategy development for corporate and retail with a multi-hundred million dollar budget.
Prior to joining Staples, Lisa was a financial executive with Ford Motor Company in the United States and Europe, and was responsible for developing product pricing strategy.
Lisa holds an MBA in Finance from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University; a BS in Applied Mathematics and a BS in Secondary Mathematics Education from Purdue University; a recipient of a 2012 Distinguished Alumni Award from the Purdue University College of Science.