Congratulations to our winner, Michaela Ryan, one of our Outstanding Women of 2025!

Nominated by: Maggie Joseph

“Michaela is usually thinking about other people before herself. She is committed to nourishing her community, and not just with food.” – Maggie Joseph 

Michaela Ryan founded New Village Farm in 2008, an educational farm located in the heart of Shelburne, Vermont. Michaela believes that working together in the dirt and with animals creates a sense of meaning and belonging. More than 600 kids visit New Village Farm each year, learning by exploring and playing during afterschool programming, family farming time, summer camps and other year round programming. Kids who visit the farm are empowered to learn new skills, take on responsibility and to care for plants and animals. Michaela is also a Grief Recovery Specialist and uses the farm as a means for healing. She is also known for leading holiday caroling in nursing homes, making significant donations to local food shelves and making her farm programming accessible to all. 

Learn more about New Village Farm! www.newvillagefarm.com