VISITOR CENTER
Darla Belevich
Weekend Staff
Darla taught outdoor skills and physical education to generations of college students, introducing them to the joys of the outdoors in trips to Merck Forest, the Adirondack, the Grand Canyon, among other destinations.
Her hobbies include kayaking, rock-climbing and gardening.
Katie Connor
Assistant Manager
Kim Davis
Weekend Staff
Sarah Elliot
Weekend Staff
Sarah’s lifelong passion for nature has led her to environmental education in various professional and volunteer capacities.
She is currently working on a series of books for children about climate change.
FARM & FOREST
Dylan Durkee
Farm Manager
Dylan grew up on his family’s dairy farm. As a farm kid, he learned all aspects of farm management, animal husbandry and crop care; he has broadened his skill set with experience working for an electrical and general contractor.
Dylan’s passion is to raise healthy livestock and to manage the land in a sustainable manner.
Cara Davenport
Apprentice
Since graduating from Houghton college, Cara has worked on incorporating the threads of conservation, community, and outdoor work in assignments throughout the New England region.
Cara is excited to participate in Merck’s work and mission this year as an apprentice.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Marybeth Leu
Communications Coordinator
Marybeth joined us in 2015. She has over two decades of experience in the high-tech industry.
In her free time Marybeth loves scuba-diving, woodworking, puttering in the garden.
Chris Hubbard
Education
Director
Chris spent decades as an educator and traditional folk artist. She’s brought that experience to bear in expanding Merck’s educational programs.
Chris and her husband have a small farm and enjoy sea kayaking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Kathryn Lawrence
Assistant
Director
Kathryn joined us in 2010. Her professional experience in finance and business is essential to our team.
Kathryn lives in Pawlet on a 90-cow dairy farm with her husband, Rick, vegetable gardens, and horses.
Rob Terry
Executive
Director
Rob has taught in a number of experiential outdoor programs, and his passion is to foster in our visitors the desire to connect in meaningful ways to the natural landscape at Merck Forest.
He and his wife Anna enjoy introducing their two children to new adventures in the outdoors.
Board of Trustees
President
George Hatch
Wenham, MA
Vice President
Ann Jackson
Dorset, VT
Secretary
Kat Deeley
Lake Pleasant, MA
Treasurer
Keld Alstrup
Manchester Center, VT
Trustee
Jeromy Gardner
Sandgate, VT
Trustee
Jim Hand
Manchester Center, VT
Trustee
Mark Lourie
Rupert, VT
Partners & Collaborators
Farm-Based Education Network
Mahwah
Environmental Volunteers
Organization
Northeast Organic
Farmers Association
Pick-Your-Own Farms
Rutland Area
Farm & Food Link
Solo Wilderness Schools
Vermont Certified Organic
Vermont Huts Association
Vermont Land Trust
Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association
Many people contributed photos for inclusion in this website: Darla Belevich, Tim Callahan, Melissa Carll, Katie Connor, Ethan Crumley, Kat Graden, Aaron Lamp, Kathryn Lawrence, Marybeth Leu, Heather Richardson, Anna Terry, Rob Terry, Karl Uy. We appreciate your contributions.