Roslyn (Roz) Broch

Roz is a longtime friend and supporter of Kristen and Chris and Olsen Farm. She is so excited to be serving as President of the Board for Heart and Soil!  Roz was born and raised in Williamstown and spent most of her life in and around Berkshire County, with a few stops in other places along the way.  She recently moved to Haverhill, MA, and works as the Assistant Director/Head of Reference at the Topsfield Town Library, located in one of the oldest agricultural communities in the country.  Roz studied communication and international relations as an undergrad at UMass Amherst and recently completed her Masters of Library Science through Drexel University after 15+ years of working in academic and public libraries.     

In addition to her academic and professional background, Roz is a lifelong activist and volunteer.  Her first protest was with Kristen and her mom in DC when she was a senior in high school.  Roz can also be seen at many a river and ocean cleanup — hauling out trash, televisions, and shopping carts, to name a few things!  She is a former board member of the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, a nonpartisan civic engagement organization.  Roz has been a part of many movements and organizations and is honored to share her knowledge and skills with Heart and Soil and its wonderful community.   

When she’s not neck deep in mud or taking to the streets, Roz loves to spend free time gardening, reading, hanging out with family and friends, cooking, making music, and taking walks.  Roz has a deep love for homegrown produce, freshly baked bread, bookstores, fantasy/sci-fi series, subversive cross stitch, traveling, and the random little absurd moments that pop up unexpectedly.     

Cassandra Peltier

Thanks to the freedom of a homeschool education, Cassie grew up exploring the many libraries, museums, farms, forests, rivers, and craft stores of Berkshire County and southern Vermont. Much of Cassie’s childhood was spent at the Williamstown Public Library where she volunteered as a “Junior Librarian” and led numerous craft workshops before working as a circulation clerk for over nine years. As a teenager Cassie volunteered with several local organizations including the Williamstown Historical Museum, Starlight Stage Youth Theatre, Images Cinema, Minerva Arts, the ABC sale, and the Williamstown Youth Center.

Currently pursuing a dual Master’s degree in History and Archives Management through Simmons University, Cassie served from 2018 to 2020 as Executive Director of the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum overseeing professional development and operations, designing educational resources and programming, and coordinating events to commemorate the U.S. Women’s Suffrage Centennial. Cassie holds a B.A. from Mount Holyoke College where she majored in History with a Nexus minor in Museums, Archives, and Public History. 

In her spare time Cassie enjoys sewing historical clothing, Irish step dancing, cooking food from around the world, and serenading her cats with show tunes and Gaelic songs.

Michael Kelly

Born and raised in the picturesque Berkshires, Mike has always felt a deep connection to the region’s natural beauty and agricultural abundance. His commitment to promoting the Berkshires as a haven for local farms and sustainable practices is unwavering. As the Treasurer of Heart & Soil, Mike wants to play a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s mission to support and uplift local farmers, foster sustainable agricultural practices, and strengthen the community’s bond with its natural resources.

Throughout his career, Mike has demonstrated a profound dedication to embracing the farm-to-table movement. His experience in the culinary world has provided him with a unique perspective on the significance of using locally sourced produce as a focal point in showcasing the Berkshires’ culinary heritage. This passion extends beyond the kitchen, as Mike actively engages with farmers, food producers, and community members to promote a sustainable and thriving food ecosystem.

Aside from his professional pursuits, Mike is a loving parent to an amazing daughter named Kaitlynn and shares their home with three mischievous cats. This familial connection further fuels his desire to create a better, greener future for the Berkshires and its inhabitants.

Patrick Elliot

Patrick grew up on Cape Cod and moved to a small hill town in Northern California as a teenager. He has a love of nature and respect for the environment and always knew farming was his future. 

He moved to Berkshire County in 2019 and purchased the historic Bradley farm now known as Second Drop Farm, a you pick flower and berry farm.

Future plans include expanding the agriculture operation with the addition of a farm to table restaurant. 

His emphasis for the farm will continue to be maintaining community connections.

Linda Pruyne

Linda Pruyne & her husband Bob are both lifelong residents of Lanesborough Mass. where they raised their two children. A retired entrepreneur, Linda owned and operated Business Consultants, a bookkeeping and tax accounting service for
33 years.

Since retiring in 2014, Linda has kept active in the community she has always appreciated and felt a very strong connection to. She is a board member and serves as the treasurer for the local Council on Aging, the Baker Hill Road District and the Lanesborough Village Fire & Water District.

As a wanna be musician, upon retirement Linda organized the Northern Berkshire Ukulele Club. Membership consists mostly of senior citizens wanting to learn to play an instrument and socialize. The club plays for free bringing entertainment to Senior Centers throughout Berkshire County. It is one of Linda’s favorite activities.

The proud Grandmother of two beautiful girls, Linda has a strong desire to preserve all she has appreciated in her lifetime; family, friends, the environment, nature and community.