Timeline of Round the Bend Farm

The Wampanoag, also called “People of the First Light,” have lived in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island for over 12,000 years. They are the original stewards of the land that we now walk, farm, and care for. At RTB, we are committed to listening to Native voices, learning about Native culture, and building authentic relationships that honor the rich heritage of this area.

39-acres at 92 Allens Neck Road and is purchased by Leslie and Rutgers Barclay and named Round the Bend Farm

Geoff Kinder is hired as a vegetable farmer and farm caretaker

Geoff and Desa VanLaarhoven begin living at the farm 

Shaun Van Laarhoven becomes a volunteer

Glenn Oliveira (current RTB board member) moves onto the farm, volunteering his time to the work and vision

The vision of RTB is honed

Laura Killingbeck begins her work as a food systems consultant seasonally

Ashley Brister of Ashley’s Produce begins as vegetable agripreneur 

Geoff creates Paradox Acres and begins to raise cows and pigs on the farm

Benoit Azagoh-Kouadio joins as resident foodie

Ellen & Duncan McFarland become financial supporters. With help from the Marion Institute (MI), RTB takes its first steps toward becoming a non-profit organization. A Center for Restorative Community is born!

Lucy Tabit brings her beautiful bees to the farm and sells her Hana’s Honey at our Open Farm Days

Nilsa Garcia-Rey begins her herb garden & Nilsa’s Herbal Teas & Botanicals is born  

Bromley Charitable Trust purchases 39-acres at 92 Allens Neck Road, and RTB becomes its own non-profit organization. Desa becomes Executive Director

Shaun transitions to Executive Chef & Assistant Farm Manager 

Nate Sander joins as an apprentice 

Tyler See joins as resident builder 

Hannah Wylie joins  as an apprentice 

Benoit Azagoh-Kouadio returns as resident foodie

Heather Zine joins as Executive Assistant 

The Learning Center is complete

Nate transitions to Education Manager

Sustainable events begin at the Learning Center 

Elements Nature Program begins, led by Rachel Medeiros & Cristy O’Brien 

Laura transitions to full-time Food Systems Coordinator 

Benoit transitions to Garden Manager

Hannah transitions to Online Education & Market(ing) Manager 

Shaun transitions to Executive Chef & Kitchen Director

Deconstruction of RTB East farmhouse by Josh Louro, Ethan Morgan, Stan Stopka, and Geoff Kinder 

Teammates Hannah & Tyler become agripreneurs and start Goatbusters

COVID-19 health pandemic; Manifest Love is born in collaboration with YWCA of Southeastern MA, Youth Opportunities Unlimited and NorthStar Learning Centers

First partnership with AmeriCorps TerraCorps division taking on two service members to help with the gardens and educational aspects of the farm

21-acres at 444 Barney’s Joy Road is purchased by Bromley Charitable Trust  (what we now call Everbearing Farm) 

Broke ground on the site of the Bathhouse

Heather transitions to Human Resources and Office Administrator 

The Wetu building was built