Beth Reiter (she/her)

Beth first came to Gould Farm in 2003 through an unexpected turn of events. While studying anthropology at Juniata College in Pennsylvania, her original summer volunteer placement for after graduation fell through, but a campus minister familiar with Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) suggested Gould Farm as an alternative. What began as a summer volunteer stint in the kitchen led to a life shaped by Gould Farm’s vibrant community. After her summer volunteering, Beth returned as a staff member in the kitchen and during that time, developed a passion for baking bread, which inspired her to attend the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena, California. Alongside her partner, Ben—whom she met at Gould Farm—Beth honed her skills, eventually working in a bakery in Buffalo.

Beth and Ben returned to Gould Farm, where Beth worked on the bakery team for eight years. During this time, she and Ben married and started a family. After a few years away in Pennsylvania, the couple returned to the Farm in 2022 with their two children. For Beth, Gould Farm is a place of enduring beauty and community, a place where the land and people form a unique tapestry that "absorbs people as they are," giving everyone common ground while celebrating individuality.

In her current roles as Nursing Office Assistant and Residential Per-Diem Staff, Beth finds fulfillment in being a steady and welcoming presence. She cherishes the daily interactions, the "hellos and how-are-yous," and supporting guests along their recovery journey. For Beth, the nursing office is a place of grounding, where she can help guests feel held and seen, reflecting back the strength of their inner resources. She believes in Gould Farm's commitment to wellness, from nourishing food to daily movement, and sees her role as a way to support these values that define the community.

Raising her children at Gould Farm, Beth loves the exposure they have to diverse people and perspectives. She also values the land itself, finding renewal on the many miles of trails, which she explores almost daily. Beth’s work at Gould Farm—grounded in both her roles and personal life—captures the heart of a community that has continually drawn her back, offering connection, growth, and a sense of home.