Ledyard Farmer Earns Emerging Leader of the Year Award

Ledyard farmer Allyson Angelini of Full Heart Farm was named 2015 Emerging Leader of the Year by the eWomenNetwork at their 15th Annual International Conference and Business Expo last week in Dallas, Texas.

Angelini was one of 8 finalists, selected from over 200 international submissions. The Emerging Leader of the Year Award reaches out to young women between the ages of 22-29 who are already demonstrating excellence in the areas of academics, entrepreneurship and philanthropy, recognizing them for their accomplishments and commitment, particularly as it relates to an ethic of integrating giving back into their professional pursuits. As a finalist, Angelini was sponsored for meals, airfare, accommodations and conference, in Dallas.

According to a press release from eWomen, Angelini was selected as the winner due to her passion for feeding others, 10 years of experience and innovative farming practices which have made her an example of what dedication to your dream can accomplish.

Angelini bought the property, which is now Full Heart Farm in Ledyard, in 2012 and through hard work and determination, has watched it flourish. As owner and farmer, Angelini prides herself on her ability to use the land she lives on with her family to feed over 70 other families in the surrounding community. Angelini runs a meal-based MemberShare program where the members visit the farm every week for the fresh harvest of vegetables, pork, chicken, eggs and herbs.

In her award ‘thank you’ speech, on stage in front of thousands of women, Angelini said; “I’m a farmer -- we don’t really win awards or … stand in a room with so many women. I’ve been really excited for this opportunity to do something so very different then feeding chickens and pigs and growing vegetables. Being with all of you has really inspired me to see the opportunity beyond the meaningful work that I know that I do in my local community.”

Other 2015 Award Winners included TV’s Jean Smart (24, Designing Women, Frasier), Music Manager Ken Kragen (We Are The World) and Norma Yaeger (first women ever on the floor of the NY Stock Exchange).

Photo Caption

Pictured (L to R): Sandra Yancey, Allyson Angelini, Anne Garland (CT Chapter Director), Briana Dai (Yancey’s daughter) Credit: eWomenNetwork