The Meeting House Farm Team
We feel incredibly fortunate to work with some of the most inspiring and dedicated folks around. Whether part time, full time, remote, or seasonal; every team member is valued as an integral part of this collaborative, farm and apothecary, and we really couldn't make it happen without them. We have a small but mighty crew, so lots of us wear many hats and float between the farm and gardens, the markets, our online spaces, the apothecary and the office. Allow us to introduce you to our 2024 MHF team!
Emily Springer
Owner & Founder
Farm & Apothecary Manager
Emily Springer is the founder of Meeting House Farm and Infusion Herb Co; our sister company and artisan apothecary. She comes from a farming family, has a rich background in plants and a wealth of knowledge when it comes to Herbalism, organic planting, biodynamic farm & garden management, apothecary systems and Women's health. Not only that, she has years of corporate financial training, a mind for organization and a knack for building community. Through the collaborative, her mission is to connect local herb growers in the Northeast, supporting these small farms, gardens, orchards and greenhouses through community and cooperation, and give people more access to locally grown herbs and herbal medicine. She aims to share the wisdom of the plants through herbal education, tips and explanations and often teaches classes, workshops and gives lectures in the area.
Abbie McGilvery
Marketing & Social Media Manager
Abbie originally started working with MHF in 2022 as part of the Many Hands work-trade program, followed by an on-farm Seed to Soul apprenticeship focused on ashwagandha in 2023. During that time, Abbie came on board as the social media manager for both Meeting House Farm and its on-farm apothecary, Infusion Herb Company. While she has always been interested in gardening and the power of plants, Abbie says, “It wasn’t until I had hands-on experience working in the dirt and seeing the entire process - from seed to apothecary - that I fell in love with herbalism. I have a whole new perspective now on growing, health, and the connection I share with the world around me.”
Right now, Abbie’s favorite plant allies are Nettle and Solomon’s Seal. She says, “I’ve been taking both of these herbs as a tincture morning and night and have seen significant improvements in my joint pain and inflammation - this combination is amazing!”
Sammi Altznauer
Farm Collaborative Manager
Growing up gardening alongside her grandmother, Sammi developed a deep appreciation for the earth and all living things. Currently, her favorite plant ally is lemon balm, because of its calming effects on her the nervous system and its fresh, citrus-like scent. “I leave every harvest smelling like a lemon grove!”
Sammi joined the Meeting House Farm team in the Spring of 2024 to assist farms in our Herb Growers Collaborative, and expand our roots to herb growers across the US.
Outside of her role at Meeting House Farm, Sammi lives in Portland, ME, where she enjoys hiking, studying permaculture, identifying native plants, and appreciating the details of the day-to-day.
Franco Varga
VA Assistant
Franco joined the Meeting House Farm team in the summer of 2024. Born in Argentina, and is currently studying Law.
Thanks to his mother and great-grandmother, Franco has been gardening since he was a child. He grew up in a house with a large garden, where he enjoyed gardening and cultivating various plants. He prefers fruit trees and vegetables, but his favorite plant has always been jasmine, whose scent fills the mornings with a sense of tranquility and beauty. In addition to jasmine, Franco has a special fascination with butterflyweed, a symbol of the ephemeral beauty of nature that he always loved.
His love for nature has become an integral part of his life, complementing his academic dedication and his desire to contribute to the well-being and sustainability of the environment.
