07/24/2026
Our next feature celebrating the International Year of the Woman Farmer is Donna Bartlett!
Donna is the current sole owner and operator of Bartlett Farm in Salisbury. Established in 1638, it's one of the oldest family farms in the country. With her brother, she ran the farm for 30 years before he passed away 6 years ago.
Bartlett Farm grows a variety of vegetables including sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, string beans, squash, and pumpkins. They sell their produce direct to consumers at their popular farm stand as well as at local markets.
She grew up on a dairy farm where her father instilled in her the love for farming and agricultural heritage that goes back 11 generations in their family! The future is bright for her family as her nephew is currently studying agriculture in college and will be the 12th generation to take up the mantle in caring for the land.
Her farm recently celebrated the historic milestone of being the 1000th farm property in Massachusetts to enter into an Agricultural Preservation Restriction which will preserve the entirety of her farmland forever so that the next and future generations will be able to continue farming the land without fear or pressure of further development.
In her own words, "I love all aspects of growing crops. I think historically, women have always been the picker gatherers. I especially like picking produce. Farming is hard work. There are always challenges but it is also very rewarding. Farming is not just a male occupation. I am just doing what I like and will continue to do the best I can."