Baylee Rose Drown (she/they), is a queer woman farmer, educator and community builder. Baylee believes in good food for all people.

For Baylee, this starts with caring for soil and extends into seeking justice in our land and food system. Sliding scale CSA, working with meal centers and acknowledging colonial land theft (our land is the home of Nehantic people) are all part working of towards an equitable food system.

Baylee was raised on her families' Holstein dairy farm in Michigan.  She earned a Bachelors of Science from Michigan State Universities' College of Agriculture and Natural Resources in 2009. This is where she first discovered land and animal ethics, which inspired her transition from a conventional farmer to a regenerative farmer.

Baylee picked up the organic farming bug in Vermont, where she worked at Green Mountain College's diversified farm from 2009-2013.  During Baylee's time at Green Mountain she qualified the farm as Animal Welfare Approval and was active in the greater community by serving as a board member for the Stone Valley Food Coop.  Baylee earned her Masters of Science in Sustainable Food Systems from Green Mountain College in 2014, as she was incorporating Upper Pond Farm as an LLC and turning the soil in Old Lyme for the first time. 

Baylee is a life long learner. Recently she completed courses on Uprooting Racism in the Food System, Holistic Management, Soil Health and Climate Change and Compost Facility Management.

Baylee enjoys mentoring and teaching all ages from mutaul aid for fellow farmers, to apprentices, WWOOFers and Lyme Consolidated Elementary Students.

Baylee presents on the subjects of grant writing, composting, chemical free pest management and integrating animal and plant food production systems. Baylee uses her small cattle herd to manage and improve grasslands and soils. Cows can save the planet - ask Baylee how!

Baylee loves bringing people together through farmers’ markets hosted at the Long Table, and volunteering with Connecticut Farmland Trust and the Connecticut Compost Alliance.

Baylee loves feeding people and being really tired and dirty at the end of a workday.  She also loves to teach, hike, fish, make cheese and cook.