About Us
Farm Hands is a program aimed at giving young learners the opportunity to learn outdoors, gain confidence as they explore and develop an appreciation for hard work and the nature around them. Learning outdoors and experiencing their new knowledge, engages a learner's senses, stimulates their creativity, and puts their problem-solving skills at the forefront.
Team of Teachers
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Meet the teachers of Farm Hands
Director/Teacher
jessica de Vera WElls
Jessica de Vera Wells is a local farmer and certified teacher. She grew up on her family's farm in Aquebogue, Wells Homestead Acres, and spent many hours outside planting, harvesting, packing and selling our produce. Farming life quickly teaches that failures are expected and risks are necessary, but the payoff of hard work is an irreplaceable reward. And being a co-pilot on the tractors as a young kid wasn't too bad either.
With a degree in Horticulture from Cornell University and a Masters of Education from Hunter College, Jessica went on to teach preschool, elementary school, and middle school ages in NYC for 16 years. Bridging both passions together has brought about Farm Hands. A strong desire to bring young learners closer to their natural world while fostering their sense of wonder is the drive behind the teaching of the Farm Hands program. Teaching young students of all abilities and interests and seeing their growth before your eyes is priceless.
Teacher
Sophia Malatesta
Sophia is a long-time educator with elementary classroom experience. More recently she has specialized in delivering early intervention in education, behavior and emotional support. She understands that there is more to education than what we can find in a classroom, though and is now certified as a Level 3 Forest School Leader. She is a native Long Islander who recently moved back from living in Ireland, and although she misses hiking the mountains and green pastures, there’s no place like home.
Teacher
Lillian Cowburn
Lilly Cowburn has a bachelors degree in Plant Science and a passion for agriculture education. She believes it’s important for everyone to learn where their food comes from and the steps it takes to get that food on our plates. Over the past few years she has developed skills in outdoor education through various summer camp and 4-H youth development programs. Lilly is originally from the suburbs of Syracuse NY recently moving to the North Fork in 2022. Outside of work you can find her crocheting, sewing, birding and caring for her small flock of show chickens. Lilly is excited to learn and share her passions with everyone at Farm Hands.
Teacher
Danielle Hendrickson
Danielle Hendrickson is a book lover, adventure seeker and kid at heart. She is a certified elementary school teacher who has worked in a variety of creative jobs, including Simon & Schuster children’s publishing, Watson Adventures Scavenger Hunts, and Times-Review Media
Group. Most recently she worked for the Town of Riverhead Parks and Recreation Department
as the Cultural Affairs Supervisor, a position which allowed her to create community events, trips and classes for children and adults. She is a mother of two who believes the best teachers are lifelong learners as well. She brings a sense of curiosity to everything she does, whether it’s traveling to new places or discovering the wonders of nature, and is thrilled to be a part of the Farm Hands team from the beginning!