2023 Raymond Ambler Award Recipients

August 11, 2023

Alex Kurtz, Luke Totten, and Graham Wayland

Photo Left to Right:

Matt Oricchio, Hannah Fischer, Graham Wayland, Stacey Valimont, Luke Totten. Missing: Alex Kurtz.

On Saturday, July 29th Ambler Farm held a small celebration to honor our high school graduates in the Apprentice Program and to present the 2023 Raymond Ambler Award.  While all our Apprentices help create an accepting and compassionate environment, our most senior Apprentices- Mentors, go above and beyond to inspire hard work and make everyone feel welcome.

We are pleased to announce that Luke Totten, Graham Wayland, and Alex Kurtz have been chosen as this year’s recipients for their outstanding dedication and service to Ambler Farm.

For those who do not know, the Apprentice program is one of the things we love most about Ambler Farm! For the length of the growing and harvesting season, local middle schoolers and high schoolers carve out a break in their competitive schedules to come to the Farm. They connect with friends, work hard, and receive endless appreciation from the animals in the form of baas and oinks.

We are so grateful for Luke Totten, Graham Wayland, and Alex Kurtz for sharing their positive attitudes, compassion, and dedication with others. They have helped with an immeasurable amount of work around the farm, and have  guided their peers in using tools safely, interacting with animals calmly, and have shown others how to be leaders in their own areas of expertise. 

“Graham is an individual who can put a smile on anyone’s face.  He spreads positivity everywhere he goes and we can not wait to see where he goes from here.” said Stacey Valimont, Ambler Farm Program Director.

“Luke seems to have boundless energy and patience for the hard work that needs to be done around the farm.  He is always ready to help.” said Hannah Fischer, Ambler Farm Program Coordinator. “Alex Kurtz has demonstrated so much passion for the farm, and works very hard for his community.  Wherever the future takes these young people, I trust their strength and passion will be an asset to any team.”

We will miss Luke Totten, Graham Wayland, and Alex Kurtz at the Apprentice Program, but we know they will do amazing things as they move on to their next step!