HATHORNE — Superintendent Heidi Riccio has announced that James O’Brien of the Essex Agricultural Society, an Essex Tech School Committee member, will receive the 2022 Larkin Lifetime Achievement Award.
O’Brien will be recognized at the annual Larkin Gala on Saturday, May 20, at 6 p.m. at Essex Tech. Gala tickets are still available and may be purchased here.
The Larkin Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes members of the Essex Tech community and its past
iterations, including Essex Agricultural and Technical High School, North Shore Technical High School, and Peabody Vocational School. The Award is named after Lt. Catherine Larkin, an alumni of the Essex County Agricultural School homemaking program and World War II nurse who died in a plane crash in 1945.
Awardees have demonstrated a commitment to and achievement within the local vocational and/or agricultural industries.
“James O’Brien has been a strong advocate for the agricultural community on the north shore and beyond,” Superintendent Riccio said. “As the General Manager of the Topsfield Fair and an agricultural member of our School Committee, Jamie has been instrumental in making sure our students and staff have excellent resources. This recognition is a testament to the work he does for our students and our community at large.”
O’Brien has served with the Essex Agricultural Society since 2006, as both General Manager of the Topsfield Fair and Executive Director of Northeast Harvest Buy Local, which represents about 400 farms in Essex and Middlesex counties.
O’Brien has served in many professional leadership roles, including President of the North Shore Visitors Bureau, member of the Essex County Farm Bureau Executive Board, Essex County Fruit Growers Executive Board, Massachusetts Fruit Growers Executive Board, and Essex National Heritage Executive Board.
He also shares his time and expertise with numerous charitable and non-profit organizations. An Eagle Scout, O’Brien has served as District Vice Chairman and Vice President of Development of the Spirit of Adventure Council, Boy Scouts of America, and on the Board of Directors of All-Care VNA and Hospice.
O’Brien has received numerous honors, including Essex County Farm Bureau Member of the Year, NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award, the North Shore Distinguished Leadership Award, and the President’s Award from Yankee Clipper Council, the Spirit of Adventure’s predecessor.
He was appointed by then-Gov. Charlie Baker to serve as a state Department of Agriculture representative on the Essex Tech School Committee in 2016. He serves on Board subcommittees on Admissions, Alternative Energy Sources, Finance, and Negotiations.
“Jamie O’Brien has been absolutely instrumental to the success of the Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School,” School Committee Chair Mark Stout said. “Jamie is one of the finest colleagues I have ever had the pleasure of working with, and I consider it a true honor to be called his friend.”
“I am honored to receive the Larkin Award this year. I was asked to serve on the School Committee many years ago, and it’s something I enjoy immensely,” O’Brien said. “I am thrilled at the way faculty and staff mentor the students. There is nothing more impressive than seeing these students so committed to their fields. They’re graduating ready to jump into the workforce.”
O’Brien and his wife Elizabeth live in Peabody. They are the proud parents of Kate O’Brien and Patrick O’Brien.
The Gala will take place under a tent on the lawn in front of Smith Hall, and will feature music, hors d’oeuvres, a live and a silent auction, and a farm-to-table meal prepared by Essex Tech culinary students. The event includes a cash beer and wine bar.
The Gala raises money to support redevelopment of the Larkin Memorial Cottage, which was built in 1950. The new multi-use facility will include an historical museum, service kitchen, office space, an exhibit hall, a learning lab and function space.
Students from disciplines at the school are working on the Larkin Memorial Cottage building project, including students studying carpentry, masonry, electrical, plumbing, construction craft labor, landscaping, and natural resources.
To learn more about the Larkin Memorial Cottage project and/or to donate, click here.
