Martha is a board certified veterinary pathologist specializing in zoo, aquatic, and wildlife pathology. Her passion for nature and animals began early in life. In upstate New York, she grew up around horses with her mother, Fran, who as a Physical Therapist, developed  a therapeutic riding program. She became an avid equestrian and competed until she was 18 years old. When the family moved to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, she spent a lot of her time at the beach looking for hermit crabs and appreciating the smaller things. She volunteered at Woods Hole Science Aquarium and New England Aquarium, working with seals and penguins, and Cape Cod Wildlife Center, caring for abandoned and injured wild animals. During vet school, she discovered her passion for pathology, and learning how different but similar all animals can be (including humans) under the microscope. At Feather Leaf Farm, she is fulfilling her childhood dream of caring for nature and animals and being able to share this with her husband, Devin, their daughters, and the greater community. 

Devin is a certified Montessori teacher and a jack of many trades including construction, video production and animation, and early childhood education. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Massachusetts College of Art in Boston and worked in the creative field until his first daughter was born, after which he realized his love of teaching and witnessing discovery in young minds. He inspires children to get outside and pay attention to the little things all around us - and the things that connect us. Devin is the literal scaffolding for Feather Leaf Farm - he keeps all of the animals safe and cozy with construction and maintenance of the coops, sheds, barns, and fenced areas. Devin is our handyman, Mr. Fix It, and the go-to guy for most things. He is always working on one of the many, many, many projects and dedicates most weekends to the Feather Leaf Farm Friends. 

Gretchen was born into a life of nature and wildlife. Growing up at the Little Red Schoolhouse in Palos Park, she was immersed in environmental education and it continues to be a passion for her.  Following undergraduate studies, Gretchen completed a Master of Science from Ohio State University - studying white-tailed deer fawn mortality. She has worked extensively with Cook County Forest Preserve District wildlife biologists, assisting with wildlife ecology and epidemiology studies. Gretchen also has experience in early childhood outdoor education so we were thrilled she agreed to be a board member for Feather Leaf Farm. With her knowledge of Illinois flora and fauna and her love of sharing this knowledge, she will be the foundation for our educational programs for children and adults. 

Fran is Martha's mother and "Nana" to Devin and Martha's daughters. Fran grew up in Ohio and partook in all the hijinks imaginable with her 3 brothers, ponies and horses. As a Physical Therapist specializing in Early Intervention, she has worked on both coasts and two countries: Pordenone, Italy and then Okinawa, Japan at NATO bases. As a mother, Fran encouraged empathy and education and has an inherent ability to inspire goodness, creative fun, and an adventurous spirit. She is the quintessential green thumb and helps care for and rehabilitate animals on the farm. Fran is always up for the big projects and has been invaluable for the development of Feather Leaf Farm.