Meet your Farmer
Owner & Operator Ali Coakley's first experience with farming was in college. After watching a food documentary, she began to change her diet and become more aware of weaknesses in our food system. As a way to learn more, Ali took an internship at the Medway Community Farm for the summer of 2012. She enjoyed the hard work that the internship entailed and felt fortunate to learn more about food production.
Ali went on to become a high school teacher (Math & ASL) after college, and continued her love of gardening.
In the winter of 2018, Ali felt unfulfilled, so she looked for work outside of teaching. She was fortunate enough to find a position with Upswing Farm for the 2019 season as the farm stand manager.
She dove into the work head first, and took up any additional field hours she could. By the end of the summer, she was working more in the field than at the stand. For the 2020 season, Ali increased to full time hours for the summer, and filled more of an assistant management role at the farm. She felt exhilarated by being able to support the farm owners in a brand new way and was thankful to have had a tiny taste of what it's like to run a farm before venturing out solo,
The owners of Upswing Farm found a property to purchase, leaving the land that they leased for the 2020 season available. Ali jumped on the opportunity to start her own farm, and is thrilled to get the full flavor of being a farm owner and manager.
Ali continues to study agriculture through independent study, as well as courses through Cornell Small Farms, including courses on Vegetable Production, Soil Health, and Business Management.
Ali went on to become a high school teacher (Math & ASL) after college, and continued her love of gardening.
In the winter of 2018, Ali felt unfulfilled, so she looked for work outside of teaching. She was fortunate enough to find a position with Upswing Farm for the 2019 season as the farm stand manager.
She dove into the work head first, and took up any additional field hours she could. By the end of the summer, she was working more in the field than at the stand. For the 2020 season, Ali increased to full time hours for the summer, and filled more of an assistant management role at the farm. She felt exhilarated by being able to support the farm owners in a brand new way and was thankful to have had a tiny taste of what it's like to run a farm before venturing out solo,
The owners of Upswing Farm found a property to purchase, leaving the land that they leased for the 2020 season available. Ali jumped on the opportunity to start her own farm, and is thrilled to get the full flavor of being a farm owner and manager.
Ali continues to study agriculture through independent study, as well as courses through Cornell Small Farms, including courses on Vegetable Production, Soil Health, and Business Management.