Jennifer Hashley, Director of New Entry, presented this week. Since 2006, Jennifer has built a nationally recognized program for beginning farmer training and regional food system development. A founder of the National Incubator Farm Training Initiative (now the FIELD Network), she connects farm education, policy, and community-based food systems through her leadership at Tufts’ Friedman School. An experienced farmer and former Peace Corps agriculture extensionist, Jennifer continues to champion sustainable agriculture, mentorship, and equitable access to farming opportunities nationwide.
Her presentation centered on the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, which focuses on growing both food and farmers. Founded in 1998 to support immigrant and beginning farmers, New Entry has evolved from a small land access project into a nationally recognized farmer training program.
New Entry’s mission is to train new farmers, promote resilient and sustainable farming, increase access to local food, and build strong agricultural support networks. The organization’s three core pillars are helping people begin farming, ensuring food reaches those who need it most, and sharing knowledge nationwide. It supports farmers through educational workshops, practical training, individual advising, and access to incubator farmland, equipment, and infrastructure. These programs collectively guide farmers from their first interest in agriculture to establishing successful, independent operations.
In 2024, New Entry operated 11 incubator farm businesses, engaged 771 program participants across 45 states, and served 107,000 households through food access initiatives. Additionally, 22 schools purchased food from program farmers, and 48 participants received scholarships to advance their training.
Jennifer shared two farmer success stories. Siedric and Anna of Revival Road Farm are rebuilding soil health and strengthening community well-being through sustainable agriculture. Daniella Aldrich of Dancing Harvest Farm, a former New York City Ballet dancer, now grows culturally meaningful food that connects land, identity, and nourishment.
By investing in new farmers, New Entry strengthens the food system and local communities. Community members and partner organizations can contribute through the scholarship fund, helping aspiring farmers access the training and resources they need to succeed. New Entry is always looking for volunteers, and Jennifer welcomed Rotarians to join this effort. She closed with their motto, which is, “We don’t just grow the tomatoes — we grow the farmers.”
Calendar Winner!
Viola “Lola” Slavin sold by Matt Ingram
50:50 Raffle
$2,405
With only four cards remaining, Jason Lang and Tyler Hains stepped up to the plate, with Tyler hitting a World Series-like homerun, taking the pot.
Congratulations Tyler!!!
Visitors and Guest Rotarians
This week, we welcomed back Leslie Levesque’s guest Corin Davis.
Volunteer
Let’s not forget our motto, Service Above Self! The Community Service Committee is working hard this year to find more opportunities for Salem Rotarians to serve in our community.
LIFEBRIDGE DINNER Wednesday, November 12 | 4 PM | Lifebridge Lifebridge helps the folks in our community who are most in need with important basics like shelter and food. Once every two months, volunteers from the Salem Rotary Club make dinner. Meal prep typically starts around 4/4:30 PM, with dinner service at 5:30 PM. We still need a team leader for this service. Email Liz Bradt if you’d like to volunteer to cook!
DCF HOLIDAY PARTY Saturday, December 6 | 11 AM – 4 PM | Salem High Field House We will once again be participating in the DCF Holiday Party, which serves foster children across the North Shore. This event allows foster children the opportunity to celebrate the holidays with their foster families and often their siblings who are not able to be housed in the same foster home. There are many opportunities to get involved, from wrapping the gifts in advance to multiple volunteer shifts on the day of the event. More details will be shared in the coming weeks!
ENGLISH LANGUAGE FRIENDS PROGRAM Ongoing through December 12 (Flexible) | House of the Seven Gables The House of the Seven Gables is seeking volunteers for its English Language Friends program! The goal of the program is to help students practice conversing in English outside of the classroom. Volunteers will be matched with 1-2 adult English-learning students. After the initial meeting at our office, we ask volunteers to commit to 2 hours of English conversation per week from October 20 - December 12. You decide with your friends when and where to meet. Meet-ups can be a walk, over a coffee/tea, going to a park, etc. If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to Dakota Russell.
Club Events
Why should you go to fellowship events?
Because they’re fun!
Dutch Drinks Friday, November 7 | 5PM +| Adriatic Restaurant & Bar Join us for a beverage and/or snack, Dutch style, to celebrate the end of October and the return of locals to downtown Salem! Guests are welcome!
SAVE THE DATE: Salem Rotary Mad Hatter’s Tea Party Auction and Gala Friday, March 13, 2026 | Hawthorne Hotel As we prepare for this year’s Mad Hatter Tea Party Gala & Auction, we are excited to bring our community together for an evening of fun, creativity, and impact. One of the highlights of the night will be our auction, which helps raise the vital funds that fuel our Rotary Scholarship Fund. Together, we can make this auction unforgettable and raise the resources needed to continue the incredible work of Salem Rotary. We are anticipating this to be a crowd drawing event, so be sure to get your tickets early and please share the event and ticket links on your social media platforms. Thank you for being part of the magic—we can’t wait to celebrate with you at the Mad Hatter Gala! Please let Jason Lang or Heather Lang know what you can contribute, or who we can reach out to, by February 1, 2026.
PDG Bob Wood Memorial Heroes' Celebration is fast approaching on November 12 at the Andover Country Club 5:30 pm. This is going to be a fantastic event and not to be missed!
The Salem Club nominated Brooklyn Brown-Northop as the local hero in our community who will be awarded a Paul Harris Recognition at this event.
Special guests are: RI Director Chris Etienne; US Representative Seth Moulton; and guest speaker: Retired Brigadier General Jack Hammond from Home Base. The Salem Rotary Club has nominated Brooklyn Brown-Northrup for this award.
OTHER DISTRICT EVENTS
Feb. 12 World Peace and Understanding Event
Mar. 21 “Spring into Action” Polio Fundraiser
May 16 District Conference
Jun. 13-17 RI Convention in Taipei
Salem Rotarians Say . . .
REMINDER: This year’s Thanksgiving meeting with the Beverly Club will be on Tuesday, November 25 at 12:15 PM at Danversport. There will be no evening meeting in November!
Jason Consalvo relinquished his speaking time to his amazing children. Graham, sporting his uniform, shared that he is selling wreaths and swag to support the Beverly Cub Scouts. Harrison helped promote this opportunity, and the two took orders throughout the remainder of the meeting. If you are interested in purchasing some festive décor, and missed this opportunity, contact Jason.
Rinus Oosthoek is fresh off a plane and the olive grove! He and Gina helped their friends in Málaga, Spain harvest 3,500 kilos of olives for their oil.
Dan Sullivan shared that the Greater Salem Boys and Girls Club will be hosting their annual Champion for Kids Dinner on Friday, November 14. The event will honor our longtime Rotarian Joanne Scott. Tickets are available here.
Joe Amico gave an update, but Adria was purchasing a wreath so was not able to take notes. Sorry Joe!!!
18 Washington Square
Salem, MA 01970 United States of America
NOTE: The fourth Tuesday of the month is an evening meeting, beginning at 5:15 p.m.
If you are interested in learning more about Salem Rotary, please email president@salemrotary.com.
Jennifer Hashley, Director of New Entry, presented this week. Since 2006, Jennifer has built a nationally recognized program for beginning farmer training and regional food system development. A founder of the National Incubator Farm Training Initiative (now the FIELD Network), she connects farm education, policy, and community-based food systems through her leadership at Tufts’ Friedman School. An experienced farmer and former Peace Corps agriculture extensionist, Jennifer continues to champion sustainable agriculture, mentorship, and equitable access to farming opportunities nationwide.
