
Born in western Pennsylvania and educated at Brandeis University near Boston, Brian Donahue has worked for fifty years in farm and forest history, education, and practice in Massachusetts. He read the work of Wes Jackson and Wendell Berry in the 1970s, and saw that it connected to the work of building sustainable community farming and forestry in New England. A former staff member and Prairie Festival speaker, Brian served on The Land Institute board of directors for over a decade, and for the last few years as board secretary. He brought deep knowledge of the organization’s history and its place in the broader sustainable agriculture movement. Brian continues as a valued emeritus board member.
My most perennial trait is fostering bobolinks—while still producing quality hay.
1994-1996 Director of Education at The Land Institute
2013-2024 Board member at The Land Institute, 2022-2024 Board secretary