40 Under Forty 2019: Mackenzie May
Photo | Erika Sidor
From the 20th anniversary of WBJ's 40 Under Forty are (from left) 2019 winner Daniel Rea III, 2003 alumni Cheryl A. W. Eidinger-Taylor, 2019 winner Jeff Taylor, and 2019 winner Mackenzie May at the American Antiquarian Society in Worcester.
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Mackenzie May, 31
Executive director, Central Mass Grown, Worcester
Residence: Worcester
Birthplace: Shrewsbury
College: University of New Hampshire
It’s abundantly clear farming and helping local restaurants source ingredients locally is May’s passion. During her relatively short tenure leading Central Mass Grown, a nonprofit coalition of local farmers, advocates and community leaders promoting farming, the longtime farmer has secured more than $250,000 in grant funding to create and expand educational and outreach programming and increased membership by 10% to now represent 170 regional farm businesses. The nonprofit's annual Food & Farm Guide has expanded under her watch, producing 55,000 copies each year. May is the coordinator for the Seedling Sale for the Worcester County Conservation District and has worked with educational programming at Tougas Family Farm and as the manager of the Shrewsbury Farmers Market. May has been a tireless advocate for public funding as well, successfully pushing for $5 million in funding programs through the state budget to increase access to locally sourced food. She helped secure a $2-million increase to the state dairy tax credit. That has led her to become nominated by the Mass. Agriculture Commission to serve on the state Board of Agriculture. – Profile written by Zachary Comeau
Favorite Central Mass. restaurant? I love and appreciate each restaurant committed to using local foods on their menu and who give due credit to the farmers who grow for them.
What are you proudest of? Being a single parent who prioritizes raising an amazing human each and every day.
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