Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | August 19, 2024 | Worcester Business Journal 11 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y In the short time since she was honored as a 40 Under Forty in 2022, Randle has risen to the top of the department tasked with nurturing the state's agricultural industry, becoming the first female leader in the 100+ year history of MDAR. She was immediately put to the test in 2023, when a February freeze, March frost, and July flooding wreaked havoc on the region's farmers. She worked with the Worcester-based nonprofit United Way of Central Massachu- setts, and more than $3 million was raised in the immediate after- math to support farmers in Central and Western Massachusetts. As an overall result of the year's extreme weather, the department issued $20+ million in funding to 347 farms to aid recovery, the first time direct governmental aid had been provided to Massachusetts farmers due to natural disaster impacts. Looking toward the future, in December Randle's MDAR released a Farmland Action Plan to help farms become more resilient against future challenges. She led the creation of the first-ever Massachusetts Agriculture Youth Coun- cil, composed of high school students from around the state. In May, her career success was acknowledged by her alma mater when she was invited to deliver the graduate commencement address at Western New England University. - E.C. What did getting the 40u40 award mean to you at the time? Receiving the 40u40 award motivated me to continue to make an impact in both my personal and professional circles. It reaffirmed my work in my community was making a positive difference in the lives of those around me, particularly in the agricultural sector. What does it mean to you now? The award has empowered me to mentor other young female professionals in public service and serves as a reminder to always leave the ladder down so others can continue to climb too. What advice do you have for this year's 40u40 winners? Leave room to participate, to pursue goals rooted in the common good. Collaboration is our strongest currency and will only get stronger through your individual and collective efforts. Class of 2022 Ashley Randle Then: Deputy commissioner at Mass. Department of Agricultural Resources, in Southborough Now: Commissioner at Mass. Department of Agricultural Resources Since 2010, Rose has grown Red Apple Farm into a sustainable year-round business with her husband, Albert Rose. The farm's stall in the Boston Public Market, which opened in 2015, and its location at the Wachusett Mountain Ski Area in Princeton, allowed for her and her husband to work all year, create new managerial roles and keep some seasonal staff in the winter months. The Ros- es extended the farm's principal summer and fall harvest seasons and host festivals, including Winter Lights, to attract customers throughout the year. In collaboration with Moon Hill Brewing in Gardner, the farm offers a restaurant on the property open all year, and developed a cidery taproom and garden to promote the farm-made hard cider. She serves as a director for the public charity Jonathan Edward Aukstikalnis Character Recognition Fund in Phillipston, which provides grants and scholarships to local youth for cultural and educational experiences. She has been involved with the Phillipston Ladies Benevolent Society and Phillipston Youth Association programs. - S.B. What did getting the 40u40 award mean to you at the time? It was remarkable to be recognized alongside the other 40 Under Forty businesses. At the time, I felt my husband and I were just doing our best running our mom-and-pop business/farm. The rec- ognition gave me a new perspective on my role in business. What advice do you have for this year's 40u40 winners? Con- gratulations to all the 40 Under Forty winners! While you strive for continuous improvement in your business, don't forget to prioritize your well-being by making time for yourself and your loved ones. How has Central Mass. changed since you won the 40u40 award? We've seen a sig- nificant rejuvenation of downtowns and shuttered industrial spaces, in addition to residen- tial redevelopment and improvements since COVID-19. Wonderful opportunities abound with incubator spaces, networking opportunities, and workforce development support. Class of 2010 Nancy Rose Then: Farm manager and owner at Red Apple Farm, in Phillipston Now: Chief operating officer and owner, at Red Apple Farm, in Phillipston, Princeton, and Boston A business owner, farmer, firefighter, and active com- munity member, Shepherd is a bit of a renaissance man. Not yet 30 years old, he is the president of Bayberry Hill Water Co., a water delivery company serving communities in North Central Massachu- setts. Taking over the business in 2019 shortly after receiving a master's degree in resource economics, Shepherd was tasked with guiding the company through the COVID-19 pandemic, a rough time for companies relying on providing services to offices. Overcoming that unprecedented challenge, Shepherd has since expanded the business's company base, adding three additional employees in the process. Shepherd also works at his family's turkey farm in Townsend, which has been operating for more than a century. In 2020, when the region's only slaughterhouse announced it was shutter- ing, creating supply chain uncertainty for local farmers, Shepherd Family Farm stepped up, investing in a new poultry processing facility. During the Thanksgiving season, the facility processes more than 4,000 birds and employs about 40 workers. When not dealing with water or turkeys, Shepherd serves as an on-call firefighter for Townsend and as a member of the planning board. - E.C. Would you rather travel back in time to meet your ancestors or to the future to meet your descendants? I'd like to meet my great uncle John Maloney, who died at age 21 fighting for Scotland in Flanders during World War I. Class of 2024 Andrew Shepherd, 29 President Bayberry Hill Water Co., in Townsend Residence: Townsend Birthplace: Leominster College: UMass Amherst Rose is striving to steer and evolve the fourth-generation family farm into a sustainable, viable, and year-round business with his wife, Nancy Rose. Since 2010, Red Apple Farm has diversified business opera- tions with three retail locations located in Phillipston, Princeton, and Boston. Rose oversees eight full-time managers and upward of 120 full-time and part-time employees. His proudest accomplishment since winning the 40 Under Forty award in 2010 has been the farm's ability to embrace change and foster continuous improvement when facing hardships and obstacles related to challenging weather conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic. He serves on the boards for environmental associations including the Massachusetts Board of Agriculture, Massa- chusetts Fruit Growers Association, and Athol-based nonprofit Mount Grace Land Trust; healthcare boards at Heywood Hospital and Care Central VNA and Hospice in Gardner; and the tourism organization Visit North Central Massachusetts. He previously served as assistant leader of his son's Boy Scout troop and coach for a local Little League team in 2010. - S.B. What did getting the 40u40 award mean to you at the time? An honor for both my wife and I to be recognized in our community. We are blessed to live and work in Central Mass. and hope our efforts only add to the great quality of life and sense-of-place we call home. What does it mean to you now? With any award comes the respon- sibility of being a good role model and advocate for our community. What advice do you have for this year's 40u40 winners? The only thing you leave be- hind is the impact you have made on others. Every winner is standing on many shoulders. How has Central Massachusetts changed since you won the 40u40 award? The demand for housing in our area has increased drastically since COVID-19. This demand, in part, reflects the great value of living and working in Central Massachusetts. While growth provides infrastructure challenges, it has a positive impact on businesses and increases the ethnic and socioeconomic diversity of our area. Class of 2010 Albert Rose Then: Farm manager and owner at Red Apple Farm, in Phillipston Now: CEO and owner at Red Apple Farm, in Phillipston, Princeton, and Boston 2022 2024 2024 2010

• Cover