40 Under Forty 2020: Kate Marquis
Photo | Matthew Wright
Kate Marquis
- Title: Forester & flower farmer
- Company: Lilac & Oak, LLC, in North Brookfield
- Residence: North Brookfield
- Birthplace: Beverly
- College: UMass Amherst
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Farming and forestry isn’t a common place to find young workers, but Kate Marquis has been there and is thriving. She first worked in various public roles geared toward sustainability and responsible forestry.
Early this year, she opened Lilac & Oak, a flower farm in New Braintree and forestry business in North Brookfield, selling dry organic flowers for crafts and helping landowners make sustainably minded decisions regarding their forested land. It is, not surprisingly, a passion of Marquis’, and she’s taken the opportunity to mentor others who share her interests. She’s been the chair of the Massachusetts Tree Farm Program, a state outshoot of a national agency seeking to help people best manage their forests for wood, water, wildlife and recreation. Marquis spreads her knowledge around: She’s provided a tour of Worcester County forests to a visiting scholar from Japan, has taught forestry to local Boy Scouts and at area senior centers, and held seminars for faculty and students at Babson College, Wellesley College and Brandeis University. Even Lilac & Oak itself has a philanthropic bend, growing native trees for a nonprofit organization in Greater Boston planting community trees, and flowers for nonprofits to use for fundraising.
Favorite Central Mass. restaurant? The Tavern in West Brookfield, which offers a great menu for people with food allergies
What is your favorite activity since the pandemic began? Weeding the flower farm has become increasingly exciting. It's nice to get outside.
Who is most directly responsible for your success? Professor & Extension Forester David Kittredge from UMass Amherst, who was a wonderful professor and mentor. He taught me the importance of sharing what I know about forestry with the community.
What is your dream job? I am lucky I have my dream job.
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