Check out how we have changed, shifted, adapt and grown over the years….
Before our time…
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.
2007
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
2008
Geoff and Desa VanLaarhoven begin living at the farm
2009
Shaun Van Laarhoven becomes a volunteer
2011
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
2012
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
2013
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
2014
Nilsa Garcia-Rey begins her herb garden & Nilsa’s Herbal Teas & Botanicals is born
2015
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
2016
Hannah Wylie joins as an apprentice
Benoit Azagoh-Kouadio returns as resident foodie
2017
In partnership with the Buzzards Bay Coalition and DNRT, RTB helped coordinate the acquisition and preservation of the Ocean View Farm Reserve. Funding from the Bromley Charitable Trust allowed the purchase of 55 acres, now called RTB East.
Heather Zine joins as Executive Assistant
2018
Nate transitions to Education Manager
Sustainable events begin at the Learning Center
Elements Nature Program begins, led by Rachel Medeiros & Cristy O’Brien
2019
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
2020
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)
2021
Broke ground on the site of the Bathhouse
Heather transitions to Human Resources and Office Administrator
2022
The Wetu building was built