Volunteer Spotlight

May 14, 2026

Andrea Bates, Maria Wilcox, Lisa Williams
ONCE UPON A FARM CO-CHAIRS

This powerhouse trio jumped into co-chairing our milestone 20th Anniversary celebration more than halfway through the planning process and carried it over the finish line with steady leadership, sound counsel, and organizational prowess. The celebration would not have been the smashing success that it was without their guidance and hard work. 

Each of these women has a deep connection to Ambler Farm and has spent countless hours over the years to make the Farm a better place. Read on to see how the Farm became a central part of the family lives for each of them.

Andrea Bates first became involved in 2011 as a committee member for the Art of the Wreath event, followed by her tenure through 2013 as co-chair of Ambler Farm Day. She has more recently helped out with the Annual Greens Sale every year since 2021. 

Andrea says, “Volunteering at Ambler is something unique from other towns, it really sets us apart, and it brings joy to many different people.” She adds, “Seeing the red barn at sunset is always magical and makes me feel so lucky to be here.”

Maria Wilcox recalls that 2010 was the first season her family participated in the Tap-a-Tree Maple Sugaring program, which they continued for several seasons. Both of her sons went on to become apprentices, while Maria and her husband both served as treasurers for Ambler Farm Day, with Maria serving as event chair for two years. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Farm. 

Maria says she loves Ambler Farm as a place to, “get away from my electronics and get back to simplicity. I also appreciate that my volunteer time supports a farm which allows a child to drop their electronics, get out of the house, interact with other kids and perform tasks that require them to get dirty.”

Lisa Williams was introduced to the farm back in 1998 when the farm was opened up for an auction of Betty Ambler’s belongings. She was there at the very beginning stages of the Friends of Ambler Farm, helping out on a market research survey. In subsequent years, Lisa volunteered at Ambler Farm Day, chaperoned the “Underground Railroad” field trip, took part in the Tap-a-Tree Maple Sugaring program with her family, and spent nearly every day walking or snowshoeing at the farm during the Covid pandemic. About her role as co-chair of the Once Upon a Farm celebration, she says, “I was happy to be able to use my experience and education in such a precise and productive way for the farm.”  

Interested in becoming a volunteer at the farm? Let us know!