National Women’s History Project recognizes Oak Hill Farm’s Anne Teller

The National Women’s History Project will honor Anne P. Teller, owner and manager of Oak Hill Farm in Glen Ellen, during its gala event at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa on Saturday, March 21. This year, the organization will recognize more than 100 women, including community leaders, conservationists, filmmakers, and writers, who have taken the lead in the environmental movement.
Teller became involved in the workings of Oak Hill Farm soon after marrying Otto Teller, whose family had been growing flowers on its 45 acres on the western slope of the Mayacamas Mountains in Glen Ellen. In the early ‘80s, Teller opened the popular Red Barn Store in the farm’s century-old dairy barn, where more than 200 types of organic flowers, herbs, orchard fruit, and vegetables are sold.
“Anne Teller, along with the many other women we are honoring this year, perfectly exemplifies this year’s theme, ‘Women Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet,’” said Molly Murphy McGregor, who is co-founder and executive director of the National Women’s History Project. “Anne is a very humble woman who has been at the forefront of the environmental movement and supports the cause as a way of life.”
Teller is so respected by the workers she employs that when a few years ago she visited the Mexican hometown of most of her employees, she was pleasantly surprised that the entire town had organized a parade and celebration to honor her. Her commitment to her farm’s work crew had led her to find a way to keep them employed through the summer months, by expanding the farm’s flower business to include growing vegetables.
“I am very honored to be included on this list of amazing women for doing what comes naturally to me,” said Teller, who’s Red Barn Store will open for the season April 15. “I would not want this beautiful land to be developed into a mall or a housing development, so I feel I’m doing the appropriate thing by farming in a sustainable way. I passionately believe in land stewardship.”
Teller plans to attend the event later this month. She and all the other 2009 honorees will be recognized at a wine and cheese reception, which will be followed by a live performance. Broadway and film actress Kauilani Lee will celebrate the life of environmental writer and activist Rachel Carson with her show, “A Sense of Wonder.” Lee used Carson’s own words to create the critically acclaimed one-woman show.
In 1978, the National Women’s History Project was formed in Sonoma County and it was here that they first celebrated Women’s History Week. Two years later, President Jimmy Carter proclaimed the month of March as Women’s History Month. The annual celebration, during which each year’s list of honorees are recognized, usually happens in New York City or Washington D.C.
“Because Sonoma County’s ‘green’ movement has set the standard for the nation and many of our honorees are local women, it made sense to hold the celebration here,” said McGregor. “Our list of honorees is larger than usual this year, because we decided to accept every single women who was nominated who represents this year’s theme and who changes the cultural perception of what women can do.”
Tickets for the event may be purchased at www.nwhp.org.