Innovator, Entrepreneur, Environmentalist, Farmer: Matt Griswold ’81

Matt Griswold ’81 P ’11, ’13, a farmer, innovator, and entrepreneur with a deep commitment to environmental sustainability, received the 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award. Matt runs Judges Farm in Old Lyme with his brother Martin, growing perennials, herbs, and vegetables for wholesale markets. Together they are at the vanguard with their efforts to make Judges Farm carbon neutral — or as close to neutral as possible, using solar energy to power operations and,  soon enough, to recharge electric Tesla trucks for their distribution needs. As they say, "If you grow green plants, you'd better be a green business."

Accepting his speech during our first-ever virtual Alumni Award Ceremony, Matt shared memories of his experiences as a Country School student and parent (his sons, Max and Eli, are both Country School graduates), and also talked about his bold commitment to building a business while also supporting the environment. A graduate of Taft School and Bowdoin College, Matt worked in public relations and hospitality before joining his brother to run their family farm in Old Lyme. To watch Matt’s Distinguished Alumni Award speech, click here. To read an article about the Griswolds’ innovative work in sustainable agriculture, click here.