There’s a new farmer in town!
Farmer Jake finishes his farmer apprenticeship on Sweet Beet Farm here at the Kearsarge Food Hub!
Jake McCormack-Lashier and his partner Cassie were Kearsarge Food Hub’s first farmer apprentices five years ago, and Jake has been deepening his learning on Sweet Beet Farm every year since then.
Jake today sitting in the community room at Sweet Beet working on his 2026 crop plan! We’re excited to continue working together to get more fresh, local food out into the community.
Now he’s officially completed this extensive training and Jake and Cassie have started their own farm - Blaisdell Hill Farm!
There's no farm task that Jake hasn't been willing to roll up his sleeve and do, with genuine enthusiasm and curiosity to learn the craft of growing food through regenerative practices. He has been an absolute joy to work with and it has been such an inspiration watching him deepen his knowledge and grow into the incredible farmer he is today!
The farmer apprenticeship began in 2021 to address a central pressing question: how do we break down barriers to farming and support young people getting into this critical profession, specifically into organic farming that actively cares for the land and local communities?
Through the process of developing this apprenticeship, we’ve all learned so much about what it looks like to support new farmers through access to land, equipment, mentorship, markets, and community support.
Indeed it has been a community-supported endeavor since day one. Huge thanks to Dorothy and Andy Jeffrey for underwriting this program and helping Jake and Cassie get their own farm up and running - along with so much support from this wonderful community!
We are absolutely thrilled for Jake and Cassie, their new farm, and for the Kearsarge community that just gained another beautiful local farm growing fresh veggies for all of us!
Farmer Jake tending to the baby seedlings
Farmer Jake harvesting beets
Farmer Jake tending the microgreens