Pam Hess
Executive Director
Pam has more than 20 years of experience in conservation and environmental education management, non-profit management, and strategic planning. She has a passion for the outdoors, which she attributes to spending most of her early days "outside running around exploring" and working on a farm in Pennsylvania. For 13 years, Pam was the Director of Youth Engagement and Education for the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC). Before joining AMC, Pam served as a refuge manager and outreach specialist for over a decade with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Most recently, Pam was Executive Director of Healthy Waltham. Pam holds a B.S. in Wildlife Biology from the University of Vermont and a M.S. in Environmental Education from the University of Wisconsin.
Erik Baum
Farm & Forestry Manager
Erik was born and raised in Eastern Massachusetts, and has been farming since he was 16. He has worked at Lindentree, Land’s Sake, Heirloom Harvest, Mainstone Farm, and most recently left his own farming operation, Three Oak Farm, to join us once again at Land’s Sake as Farm Manager. He has experience in all aspects of farming including livestock, vegetable production, forestry, and maple sugaring. Erik has a self-admitted, “unhealthy” obsession with growing hot peppers and a soft spot for antique tractors. In his spare time Erik can be found fishing, reading, or canning hot sauce (made with all those hot peppers).
Julia “JT” Toropov
Farm Crew
JT was born and raised on the North Shore of Massachusetts next-door to her grandparents' sheep farm. A childhood of tree-climbing and digging around in her grandma's garden lead her to study Environmental Science & Sociology at Simmons College. It was there that she developed her fascination with food as the barometer for both social and environmental well-being. She is now happy to be pursuing a career in sustainable agriculture and to have found a home here at Land's Sake, growing beautiful things with crazy people. You may spot her kneeling in the flower garden or rearranging kale in the CSA tent. When she isn't nerding out over plants, JT can be found hiking, making soup, practicing yoga, or playing dungeons and dragons.
Liam “Dave” Donahue
Farm Crew
A native of Massachusetts, this is Liam’s first full year at Land’s Sake after working here over summer breaks during his time at Dickinson College. At school he studied history, worked on the College farm, and led the College fencing club. He particularly enjoys cutting firewood and loves using chainsaws. Music aficionado, recreational athletics enthusiast, and avid people person, when not at work Liam is to be found sabre fencing, rock climbing, or playing guitar.
Heather Hilton
Business Manager
Heather is the official party planner at Land’s Sake! A Massachusetts native from the neighboring city of Waltham, and Boston sports nut, she also spent time living in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX. Having extensive experience in retail, illustration and floral design, she strives to bring her creative flare and inspired love of the outdoors to the organization. Heather is the go to for all things retail, community events & floral workshops. The Land’s Sake community has been so welcoming, and she is looking forward to seeing familiar faces and hoping to make new friends throughout the season!
Katie Metzger
Education Manager
Katie is descended from generations of Midwestern farmers and has been fascinated with the natural world for as long as she can remember. Her passion for the outdoors has driven many of her most defining life experiences, from studying wildlife ecology in Ecuador to teaching natural history for seven summers on Cape Cod to earning her master’s degree in Outdoor Education from the University of Edinburgh.
Katherine Pater
Education Coordinator
Katherine was born and raised in Wisconsin, but her interest in farming began long after she left the Dairy State. After graduating with a B.A. in Political Science and Religious Studies from the University of Wisconsin and an MDiv from Harvard Divinity School, she was called to serve with a small organization in rural El Salvador. Through her work to build relationships between Central American subsistence farmers and non-profit organizations in the United States, as well as amplify the stories and struggles of her Salvadoran friends and colleagues, she became aware of how her own nation’s broken food system was causing suffering for people elsewhere. She returned to the USA in 2016 and enrolled in the Learn to Farm program at The Farm School in Athol, MA, where she learned to drive tractors, plant kale, and rethink how to grow, prepare, and eat food. In her spare time, she enjoys reading science fiction, playing the guitar (poorly), and spending time with her dog, Gus.