Joanna Hoyt (she/her)

Joanna Hoyt is the Bakery and Roadside Work Team Leader at Gould Farm, where she delights in the art of bread-making and the meaningful, side-by-side conversations it fosters. Since joining the Farm in May 2023, she has contributed to both the garden team and the bakery, witnessing guests develop trust, focus, and confidence. Joanna enjoys experimenting with whole-grain recipes, incorporating ingredients like whole wheat, oat flour, buckwheat, and cornmeal to nourish the community in both body and spirit.

Before coming to Gould Farm, Joanna spent 21 years at a Catholic Worker farm in upstate New York, living in intentional community and working alongside migrant workers, neurodivergent individuals, and people with mental health challenges. The farm provided a space of respite, reflection, and meaningful labor, reinforcing her belief in the healing power of work, community, and nature. After the farm closed, she continued this work at Jubilee Partners in Georgia, supporting refugees through land-based labor and ESOL education. There, she received trauma training and witnessed how creating safe spaces—especially in nature—helped individuals process deep wounds. Her personal experience with OCD also gave her insight into the challenges of accessing adequate mental health care, particularly in rural areas.

Joanna first learned about Gould Farm as a teenager when a family member was diagnosed with schizophrenia. The Farm’s model of integrating clinical support with daily life resonated deeply with her experiences. She values the Farm’s culture of kindness and seeks to encourage clearer, more direct communication within the community. While she continues to navigate the challenge of holding space for others’ pain without attempting to fix it, she finds immense fulfillment in witnessing guests regain their footing and build resilience. Joanna also appreciates the integration of manual, mental, and relational work at the Farm, a combination often separated in broader society. She acknowledges the challenges inherent in community life, particularly the nuances of communication styles and the need for trust-building to facilitate honest conversations.

Beyond her role at Gould Farm, Joanna is a writer who explores themes of belief, belonging, inspiration, and social justice. Her work includes short stories, essays, nonfiction books, and novels. Her nonfiction works, such as "Beyond Us and Them: How To Communicate Across Political Divides" and "A Wary Welcome: The History of US Attitudes toward Immigration," reflect her commitment to fostering understanding across societal divides. Joanna shares her writings on her website, joannamichalhoyt.com.

In her free time, Joanna enjoys birdwatching, photography, and participating in the Farm’s communal activities, including singing groups, philosophy club, and mindfulness practices. She resides in shared housing at Topside, where she and her younger housemates approach life with curiosity and humor, often sharing stories and learning from one another. Joanna hopes to continue contributing to the Farm’s mission for years to come.