Like the leadership he’s displayed through his pathway to Eagle Scout, Kevin Maley knew he wanted to lead a project that was something different yet something that would be a significant contribution to the community itself. Having partnered with a few of his fellow Eagle Scout candidates on their respective projects, Kevin recognized that the Medway Community Farm was open to community service projects that help support our local farming community.

Eager to make an appreciable impact on the Town, he contacted Farm Board President Carol Collord and Farm Manager Todd Sandstrum to inquire about their needs. Discussions unveiled there was a need for two shelters: one a storage unit shelter, and the other a wash station shelter. It was explained that the storage shelter would be for just that, storage, while the other protection would be used to keep employees and visitors safe from the elements while washing post-harvest produce. In addition, the wash station would be used as a general multi-purpose area for storage and such. Intrigued by the engineering elements of the project as well as the discovery of the benefits the project would bring not only to the farm’s employees, visitors, and students, it also became apparent that this project would aid in allowing the proper care of the produce by providing a shielded environment. For all those reasons, this project became the clear winner!

Once the project was established, Kevin started putting a plan together. First, he met with Carol Collord, Board President, Todd Sandstrum, Farm Manager, and Scott Bigelow, DPW Facilities, to gather information and draw up rough sketches so that everyone was on the same page about their goals. During the design process, it was learned that the town required a building permit. With the help of Bobby McGee of the Medway Facilities Department, a permit was secured, and the Building Commissioner approved the building design. Next, he put together a budget. He determined he would need $2,750 (Materials $2,500 + Supplies $100 + Tools $150 = Total $2,750). Now that the project was approved and he had a budget established, it was time to fundraise. To share his plan with the community and gather donations, he designed a website (https://sites.google.com/view/kevin-maleys-eagle-project) containing all the project information with an “easy to donate” page. The bulk of the fundraising was done online using a square account pushed out through various social media accounts, in addition to sharing a QR code on social media and printing and posting flyers at the farm stand. A special shout out to the generous donation of a resident who donated a check while the crew was working! Lastly, Kevin put out the word among his classmates, national honor society members, fellow troop members, and family and friends to volunteer to help with the project.

With the funds collected, materials and supplies were purchased from the Lowes at Milford, Medway Lumber, and Bellingham Home Depot. In addition, some of the materials, equipment, and tools were donated by family and friends. In the end, the project grew from the initial drawings, and the existing structure consists of a shelter with a 38’ x 16’ roof made primarily of wood, metal roofing, and concrete post bases (see attached photo).

In the end, to meet the altered requirements from the town, changes to the original structure of the project were made, increasing project costs. Expenses exceeded the initial funds raised. «I›d like to sincerely thank my parents for donating the funds necessary to complete the project,” said Maley. 

As intended from the beginning, the farm uses the shelter to keep employees and visitors safe from the elements while washing produce and as a general multi-purpose area for storage. We are happy to share that the project benefits the farm’s employees and visitors, including students participating in the farm’s educational programs, while offering the fragile produce shielded protection from the elements resulting in proper care. The impact of this project reaches not only the farm but also its patrons and the patrons of the farmers markets the farm participates in (Canton and Norfolk), as well as local students and the beneficiaries of the Medway Village Food Pantry.

Farm Manager Todd Sandstrum said, “It has been high on my wish list to add a covered post-harvest area since I came aboard as Farm Manager last January.  With all the other priorities, it never reached the top.  This is like a dream come true for me.  The shelter Kevin built is incredible, and we appreciate the work he put into designing and building it.” 

Maley said the project is the culmination of many years of hard work, adding “The leadership skills I developed that allowed me to complete such a substantial project are due, in most part, to the extraordinary influence of my parents, Troop 367 members, its adult leaders, and the parents of my fellow troop members. I’ve had an amazing scouting experience because of all of them.

“Overall, I am satisfied with how the project turned out. The completed shelter looks amazing, and I have received numerous expressions of gratitude and admiration from the farm. Despite a few minor issues, we were able to stay on track and be productive throughout the project. We also had a great time, making good memories and cracking jokes, all while ensuring safety measures were in place.” 

Kevin Maley is currently a senior at Medway High School. 

Thank you, Kevin, for your hard work and dedication to protecting Medway’s residents, volunteers, and visitors and safeguarding essential sustainable items like our harvests that contain vital nutrients—all the best as you earn the rank of Eagle Scout. 

Submitted by the Town of Medway