Sheffield Land Trust Welcomes New Executive Director of Operations

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SHEFFIELD, Mass. — The Sheffield Land Trust announce the appointment of Christine Bump as its new Executive Director of Operations.
 
The appointment comes as the Sheffield Land Trust marks a leadership transition. Longtime Executive Director of Operations Bob Ronnow and Administrative Assistant Judy Magenis are retiring after years of dedicated service to the organization. Bump will be taking on the responsibilities previously held by both roles.
 
Bump was selected for her diverse professional background and her commitment to the community. In her new role, she will work alongside Executive Director of Land Protection, Kathy Orlando, on the Land Trust's day-to-day operations, supporting organizational growth, and helping advance the Land Trust's mission.
 
Bump built and managed Big Elm Brewing, a business in Sheffield, for the past 15 years, covering many aspects of the business, including financial management, regulatory compliance, operations, staff leadership, and community partnerships. Her entrepreneurial experience is complemented by nonprofit leadership as Treasurer and Board Member of Naney Inc., where she oversees financial management and governance for an organization supporting agricultural and economic development initiatives in West Africa.
 
"A strong community is built by people who care deeply about the place they call home," said Bump. "Sheffield has become that place for me. I'm honored to join the Sheffield Land Trust and look forward to working with our board, committees, volunteers, members, and community partners to strengthen the organization and help protect the landscapes that make this town so special."
 
The Sheffield Land Trust is dedicated to protecting the land essential to Sheffield's natural, scenic, agricultural and rural character for future generations. The Land Trust aims to achieve this by working with landowners, farmers and other partners, through programs of stewardship, education, and community engagement.
 
With this appointment, the Land Trust continues to invest in the operational leadership needed to support its growing conservation, stewardship and community efforts and ensure a strong future for the organization.
 
"In Christine we have found an exceedingly skilled, caring, person who is engaged in our values and mission.  I'm confident we made a good choice and that she will help carry us forward with new ideas and effectively be involved in seeing them through as we move towards our 40th Anniversary in 2029," said Ron Yaple, the Land Trust president. "We also want to recognize the many years of dedicated service from Bob Ronnow and Judy Magenis."
 
For more information about the Sheffield Land Trust, visit www.sheffieldland.org or contact info@sheffieldland.org.

 

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Greenagers Founder Will Conklin Honored as Business Person of the Year

By Breanna Steele

Casey Pease of state Sen. Paul Mark's office presents William Conklin, right, with a state Senate proclamation.
EGREMONT, Mass. — The Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce honored a local businessman and nonprofit leader on Sept. 24 at Catamount Mountain Resort.
 
William Conklin was this year's Business Person of the Year, recognizing his work as founder and executive director of Greenagers, a nonprofit that helps youth and children engage in work in environmental conservation, sustainable farming, natural resource management, and vocational skills building. 
 
Conklin and his family also run Sky View Farm and he is a managing partner of Konkapot Tree and Timber, a small-scale forest products business.
 
"If you spent any amount of time in Southern Berkshire, chances are you've heard his name, whether you realize the connection at the time or not," said board member Sierra King Watson, who emceed the event. "You might be having a conversation about farming, a new barn or structure that was built, students learning hands-on skills in sustainable agriculture, or a family that receives donated firewood to help keep their home warm through a cold Berkshire winter, or maybe you're simply talking about one of those community leaders who somehow manages to show up, support everyone, and seemingly be everywhere all at once.
 
"Well, one name has a way of continuously popping up, and that is Will Conklin."
 
Board President Mark Rulison said the region has more than 1,200 nonprofits. One in four jobs in the county is in the nonprofit sector, which ranks 27th nationally for nonprofit employment. He said the economic impact on the community is huge, thanking those who help.
 
For the event on Thursday, Conklin requested that as much of the food as possible was sourced locally. Most of it came from Greenagers, Sky View Farm, Indian Line Farm and Fancy Feast Supper Club, creative dinner series. 
 
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