Northern lights on the farm
Farming, food, and philanthropy: Honoring the legacy of COA’s planned gift donors
By COA Manager of Annual Fund and Major Gifts Amy Morley
This past summer, members of the Northern Lights Society gathered at COA Beech Hill Farm for a special event celebrating both sustainable farming and the generosity of planned gift donors at College of the Atlantic.
Each year, Northern Lights Society members come together at different COA locations to celebrate their commitment to the college through planned gifts. These donors make commitments such as bequests, charitable gift annuities, and gifts of life insurance or property—elements of their long-term giving strategy. Planned gifts represent a donor's intention to support COA beyond their lifetime, continuing the contributions they’ve made while alive. Unlike annual gifts, planned gifts are scheduled for the future, often as part of an individual’s or couple’s estate plans.
In August 2024, Anna Davis, co-manager of Beech Hill Farm, led the group of Northern Lights Society members on an insightful tour. She showcased the farm’s expanding variety of certified organic produce and highlighted its role as a hands-on learning environment for both students and faculty.
Beech Hill Farm is not only a place where fresh, organic food is grown for the college and the surrounding community, but also a vital educational hub where COA’s commitment to sustainability takes root. The farm offers students the opportunity to engage directly with innovative farming practices that reflect COA’s broader mission of environmental stewardship and academic excellence.
After the tour, the group enjoyed a delicious farm-to-table lunch, featuring quiche, roasted potatoes, garden salad, and blueberry galettes with ice cream for dessert—an experience that truly embodied the farm-to-table ethos. As they savored the meal, members of the Northern Lights Society shared heartfelt stories about why they support COA and what the college means to them. The event was a testament to the deep sense of community at COA, where each person’s contribution—whether through time, resources, or ideas—becomes part of a larger effort to shape the college’s future.
Ron Beard, COA trustee and Northern Lights Society member, eloquently expressed the importance of planned giving: “Including COA in my will aligns with the values I try to live day to day. My small contribution flows with the contribution of others, helping these experiments continue.”
Ron’s words captured the essence of the Northern Lights Society: every planned gift, regardless of size, creates a lasting impact and supports COA’s mission for future generations of students. Planned gifts are a vital source of support, ensuring that the college can continue to offer transformative experiences like those at Beech Hill Farm, where education and sustainability go hand in hand.
Photos by Shawn Keeley.
For information about membership in the Northern Lights Society, please contact Amy Morley at amorley@coa.edu.
