Barrington's Peter Birch is a smart, humble young man who uses his intelligence and engineering mind to find solutions, whether it is as a member of the high school’s Science Olympiad team or as assistant senior patrol leader of Troop 2 Barrington.

Now Peter is using his skills to solve a dilemma facing the McCoy Community Farm in Warren. 

Because the farm relies on donations and volunteers, its largest operating expense was the cost of renting portable toilet in 2018. So Peter found a design and then built a modern-day out-house. Peter's goal was to build a sturdy structure that would provide ventilation, privacy and the means to compost waste efficiently using sawdust. (The out-house compost will not be used in food production.)

How it started

Peter has been involved in scouting since first grade at Primrose Hill School, and he is now a candidate for Eagle Scout. When looking for a project that would make a difference in the community, he sought out the McCoy Community Farm in Warren.

“I had visited the farm before and was familiar with their mission to provide fresh produce to local food pantries and the [Rhode Island] Community] Food Bank,” Peter said.

Located in Warren, the McCoy Community Farm is a 100-acre plot of land that is dedicated to growing produce for area food pantries. The land is farmed from June through October by a regular team of 20 volunteers who come weekly to hoe, weed, prune and harvest, along with occasional assistance from area student and corporate teams.  

“We grow peppers, zucchini, summer squash, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, beans carrots and anything else that the food pantries tell us they need and our farmers know that our land can sustain,” said owner Charles McCoy, M.D.   

In addition to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, fresh vegetables are distributed to the East Bay Food Pantry and distribution programs run by Tap-In, St. Mary of the Bay, and Good Neighbors.  

When Peter approached Dr. McCoy about how he could help, he was a little surprised to hear the organization’s most urgent need — a composting privy.  

Once Troop 2 leaders and Dr. McCoy approved Peter's plans for the new out-house, the scout set about securing donations to build the structure. From cinderblocks to lumber, tarpaper to a lock set, Birch went from business to business presenting his plan and asking for contributions.  

In total, the determined scout knocked on the doors of 22 businesses until his last nail was secured.  

“At the beginning, I thought that building the structure was going to be difficult, but I soon found out that identifying and approaching business owners, presenting my plans and asking for donations was (by far) the most challenging component,” said Peter.

Over the course of the spring season, Peter tirelessly approached businesses, and eventually secured materials and supplies for the project from six companies. Home Depot, Sweets Lumber, and Douglas Lumber were especially generous in providing building materials. 

By the month of May, the contributions had been gathered and inventoried and Peter and his group of 30 volunteers constructed the privy in Barrington and then transported, installed and finished the construction on site at the McCoy Family Farm in Warren.  

“Until now, our largest expense was the cost of renting portable sanitation," said Dr. McCoy. "Peter’s contribution will mean that we can pour more money into growing more food while keeping our volunteers comfortable.

"Pete did a wonderful job and demonstrated a great deal of integrity and maturity. He was incredibly diligent in finding a design that would work for our needs and then soliciting donations for every aspect of the project. He never gave up and now we have this terrific resource.”

A community service project that is planned, executed and its impact measured, is just one of many rigorous requirements needed to achieve Eagle Scout status. While completing his rank advancements, Peter has served in many positions of leadership, including assistant senior patrol leader for Troop 2. He has attended National Youth Leadership Training and is a member of the Order of the Arrow, the national service organization with in scouting.

Troop 2 celebrates its 100-year anniversary in 2020. Now counting 57 active scouts among its ranks, this troop is committed to leadership development and service to the Barrington community.

Led by Scout Master Wade Ogden, the scouts meet Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. at Barrington Congregational Church during the academic year and welcome boys from throughout the community to participate in team-building, leadership and value development activities.