Planting Seeds of Change
On 130 acres in Stow, bordered on three sides by a river, lies a picturesque piece of land that will someday supply fruits and vegetables to food banks, including GBFB. Zack and Laura Warren are preserving this land and building a family farm, inspired and guided by their good friend and farm partner, Bob Waskiewicz. Bob introduced them to the idea and instilled a love of farms and tractors in the Warrens’ four children.
Along the way, Zack and Laura are also planting and tending other seeds—lessons of caring and stewardship—in Connor, 15, Owen, 14, Maggie, 11, and Declan, 9. The Warren children ride bicycles from the family’s home to the farm. The kids are learning how to drive tractors, maintain the fields, and bale hay.
“We’re here to shepherd and preserve land, but more importantly, help our children,” Zack says, expressing his and Laura’s wish that their kids will understand the importance of giving back to the community.
The family’s commitment to ending hunger stretches beyond the limits of their farm: Zack, who is Global Head of Derivatives at MFS, is also a Board of Advisors member at GBFB. Laura, previously a Physician’s Assistant, volunteers at the Sudbury Community Food Pantry and gets the kids involved in monthly food drives.
The Warrens’ and Bob’s ultimate goal is to preserve the farmland and form a collaboration with GBFB and gleaning organizations that harvest crops for food banks. “We’ve got to leave the world a better place than we’ve found it and use the land for good,” Zack explains.
