The Farm at Stonehill Reopens Under New Leadership

After a brief hiatus during the 2025–2026 academic year to adequately prepare its land for the next growing season, The Farm at Stonehill is reopening with a new director at the helm.  

The College has hired Samantha Reynolds to lead the beloved program. She succeeds previous Farm Director Laurie Mooney, who served the institution from 2022 to 2025.  

“To me, this role is about stewardship, caring for the land, the students and the community together,” Reynolds said. “I’ve worked on farms across the world, and what stays with me most is that good farming is really about good relationships, with the land and with people. My hope is to bring that same spirit here at Stonehill, strengthening The Farm as a bridge between the campus and the community it serves.” 

In her new role, Reynolds will draw upon her vast professional experience to foster a living classroom for students and a productive agricultural operation that benefits the College’s neighbors. She will also teach Sustainable Agriculture, a course that empowers students to explore the economic, ecological and social components of farming and land stewardship in the context of growing human populations and climate change. 

Reynolds is a graduate of Indiana University Southeast, where she received a Bachelor of Science in economics. She earned a Master of Science in sustainable development, agrifoods and cooperatives at University College Cork. 

Early in her career, Reynolds was a natural gas energy broker before transitioning to the agricultural sector. She has lived and worked on farms in Kentucky, Iowa, Hawaii, Ireland, Italy and Massachusetts. She describes her approach to farm management as both adaptable and systems-based, with a focus on soil health and management and alternative small-scale farming systems. 

“Samantha brings the rare combination of hands-on farming experience, academic preparation and a deep commitment to experiential education that aligns perfectly with Stonehill’s mission,” Vice President for Academic Affairs Peter Ubertaccio said. “She understands that The Farm is much more than a place where food is grown. It is a place where students can connect learning with service, sustainability and care for the common good. I am excited to see her lead the next chapter of this important program.” 

About The Farm at Stonehill 

Established in 2011, The Farm at Stonehill is central to the College’s mission of helping students, faculty and staff cultivate their minds and their hearts. Over the past 15 years, the program has addressed food justice issues in neighboring communities by donating tens of thousands of pounds of fresh organic produce to partner organizations.  

The Farm utilizes 1.5 acres of Stonehill’s campus to grow this nutritious food. Each semester, campus community members are invited to help work the land. They may also assist with The Farm’s Mobile Market, which expands access to healthy eating options while also offering cooking demonstrations, recipes and nutritional information to local residents. 

The Farm encourages sustainable behavior through its intentional practices, including conserving water, protecting soil health, saving seeds and maintaining the integrity of connections to the larger ecosystem. 

Since its inception, The Farm has been integrated into the College’s academic curriculum. Each semester, an average of 10 faculty members bring their classes to the site for discussions, tours and experiential learning opportunities. Students involved in The Farm’s programming have gone on to pursue meaningful careers in food justice, social justice and sustainable agriculture.