Where it all began....
In the 1990s, the Franklin Brothers sold 63 of their beautiful 65 acre farm to the Town of Cumberland, but kept 2 acres and the family home to live and work for the remainder of their days. In 2005, William "Rhodey" Franklin, the last owner of this farm, passed away and left those 2 acres to his nephew. While this piece of property was sought after for new development, Mr. Franklin's nephew had a longer lasting idea. Prompted by grass root efforts from Cumberland Residents, Mr. Franklin's house and two acres was purchased by the Town of Cumberland returning the farm to its original size when it was first farmed in 1801. This not only saved an important piece of Cumberland's farming history, but also created the legacy known as "Franklin Farm".
Since then, The Historic Metcalf-Franklin Farm Preservation Association, a 501c3 and volunteer organization, continues to work on its mission to Preserve and Protect the Farm for future generations. We do this by actively seeking grants to restore the buildings, walls and fields; providing educational opportunities for all ages, and through the Community Garden growing vegetables to assist those experiencing food insecurity in RI.
We welcome all ages to volunteer at the farm, to become involved with the Association and become a part of our Board of Directors. Whether you have an hour or a day, we have a place for you! To become learn more about how you can become involved click HERE
Safe Farm Policy
Board of Directors
Every member of our Board of Directors brings a unique set of skills and expertise to our organization. Elected by HMFFP Association Members, Board Members are all volunteers who are dedicated to preserving the farm for the future generations.
President
Association Member since 2006
Tractor Team member, Past Ground Committee Chair & Vice President
Rob is the owner of Connection Technologies, LLC and is passionate about continuing the mission to restore, preserve, and protect the farm for present and future generations. He loves the opportunity to work on the property with the other volunteers to continue to improve the efficiency and resilience of the project.
Pam became involved with the farm through the Community Garden. Seeing a place where she can make a difference, Pam has focused her efforts in the preservation of the farm and food insecurity.
She retired from FM Global where she was a Chief Training Specialist. Pam specializes in project management and grant writing. She is a vocalist with the RICCO.
Julie Guerin has been the Secretary for the Assoc since 2014 and a member since 2008. She designed and oversees the Colonial Garden; Chairs the Annual Perennial Plant Sale.
Prior to retiring, Julie worked at DELL Corp. She served as a member of the Cumberland Conservation Commission for over 20 years in both the Chair and Secretary roles. She is the head of the Garden Committee at St John Vianney Church.
A novice gardener, Carrie Almon is a financial professional with 25+ years of experience in the areas of accounting, treasury operations & management, corporate finance, and budgeting, planning and analysis. She has served in the capacity of Treasurer since joining the Association in 2018, and she is also a member of the Harvest Festival Committee, and No-Till Garden Committee.
Will serves as our Historian and BSA/ Girl Scout Liason. He is part of the Harvest Festival Committee.
He and his family were the recipient sof the Franklin Farm Silver Trowel Award.
Will is a Manager of the Unix Team at Johnson & Wales University. He also serves as a Board of Trustee with the Cumberland Library.
Tractor Team Chair & Grounds Committee Chair, He is an advocate for the environment and Board of Directors Member of the Blackstone River Watershed Council. Frank is instrutmental in the education of use and maintenance of all farm equipment to future generations. Past BOD Positions: President, Vice President
Denise was a founding member of the HMFFPA (and is a neighbor of the farm). Currently, she is the Communications Director (social media and web design), on the Education Committee and occassional Tractor driver.
Denise is a STEM Instructor./ Tutor with a focus on science & engineering for homeschool students and an out- of- school educator.
Bob has served on the Grounds Committee and is an active member of the Tractor Team. As a dedicated “jack of all trades” at the farm, he has had the opportunity to package and deliver food donations, maintain the grounds, make repairs around the barns, operate the tractors and work in the main gardens as well as the allotment community garden. His experiences have given him a unique appreciation for how these areas all work together in support of our mission.
Bob is a part-time instructor at the University of Rhode Island and prior to joining the Franklin Farm team worked in accounting, finance; retiring as a Director of supplier management for a large corporation. Keep an eye out at our Harvest Festival for Bob…he loves a good hayride!
Education Director, Education Committee Chair
Kathy has been a member of the Farm Community since 2007 when she created a Summer Science Program for elementary school children. Since then she has served in a variety of roles, from pulling weeds to pulling the manure spreader with the tractor.
Kathy is a retired Kindergarten teacher. Many of her students return to the farm each year as students, educators and volunteers.
Judy as been the Community Garden Chair for over 10 years. She brings her knowledge of gardening and harvesting.
She is also part of the Harvest Festival Committee.
Judy also serves on the Cumberland Community Response Team
Prior to retiring she was a Graphics Technician.
Thank you to all Board of Directors who have served the HMFFPA
Past Presidents
2008- 2010 Frank Geary
2010- 2013 Frank Matta
2013- 2017 Denise Mudge
2017- 2023 Pam Thurlow
2023- 2025 Rob Mudge
Take a Peek at What We Do....
Franklin Farm a part of PBS OUR TOWN CUMBERLAND
October 2021
"Neighbors and friends of Cumberland, Rhode Island share the local legends, history, and memoirs of the local community. Stories include Cadillac Mills, the Arnold Mills Parade, Blackstone River, Phantom Farms, Franklin Farm, Geddes Family Farm, Diamond Hill boxing legends, Equi Evolution, the Valley Breeze, Lt. Robert Waugh, Ski Valley, the Cumberland Land Trust, and the Cumberland Public Library." PBS.ORG
Valley Breeze: Franklin Farm Goals: Barn Repairs, Eco-Friendly Updates
February 13, 2020
https://www.valleybreeze.com/2020-02-12/cumberland-lincoln-area/franklin-farm-goals-barn-repairs-eco-friendly-updates
RI Community Food Bank Recognizes Franklin Farm's Contributions
Chip Thurlow Receives A Certificate of Recognition, on behalf of the farm, for the 18,563 pounds of vegetables donated during the 2019 directly to the RI Community Food Bank
Cumberland's hidden trails: Explore the natural beauty of Franklin Farm
Valley Breeze July 2014
Articles Archives
2009: The Rhode Show visited Franklin Farm in Cumberland, as more than 100 volunteers and students planted seeds for the farm's community garden. Now that the harvesting is completed, 13,000 pounds of produce has been distributed to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and local food banks, everyone's efforts turns to the restoration of the farmhouse. This past Saturday was Make a Difference day throughout the country and here to tell us about the volunteers making a difference at Franklin Farm is Jarrad Rocheleau, Project Manager for Project Restoration, and Denise Mudge, the Volunteer Project Manager.