Hayley Williams

Tell us a bit about your background and how it helped shape the expertise you bring to CAE.
I grew up in beautiful Montgomery, Vermont, surrounded by dairy farms and I’ve always been interested in both people and food. I studied sociology at UVM from 2008-2012 and then spent about 5 years living in the Burlington area & working at various non-profits. I realized after working in healthcare & human services (and education) that something was really broken in our ‘systems.’ I decided to change tack and start from the ground up…Literally! 

In May of 2020 I was working at High Mowing Organic Seeds and looking for housing. I landed on a farm in Wolcott and grew there during the 2020, 2021, and 2022 seasons. In 2021 I vended small batch homemade kombucha at the Hardwick Farmers Market and fell in love with Atkins Field. In early 2022 the role of market manager opened up. I applied & was accepted and I’ve been doing that work ever since. The role expanded in early 2024 and now I am the Local Food Coordinator here at the CAE and it’s the best job I’ve ever had! I love working at the intersection of people, food, and land; it’s amazing to see the positive impact that this work can have on a community.

What excites you about your work and/or the work of CAE?
I am a food enthusiast (everything from growing, cooking, sharing, and/or eating it!) I am excited to be working at the CAE, where a lot of amazing work is being done every day in the food and agriculture scene. I hope to increase awareness of, access to, and use of healthy, delicious, locally grown foods in our region. If we prioritize buying/spending locally – we support the local economy as well as our regions farmers and small business owners. I feel strongly that food plays a critical role in increasing peoples connection to the land and to each other.

What brings you joy? (work or otherwise)
There are so many reasons to be joyful! A find a lot of joy in the small everyday pleasures of good conversation, reading, sunrises and sunsets, bonfires, swimming, hiking, camping, seeing live music etc. And also my rescue dog Luna; she brings me a lot of joy!

What brings you hope? (work or otherwise)
This community! I have witnessed (& personally experienced) so much caring and resilience here since 2020. I have seen first hand what is possible when a group of individuals is committed to a mission and willing to dig in & do the work. Hardwick has a special place in my heart and I’m so grateful to be a part of what’s happening here, especially as it relates to the local food scene!