Team Members

Matea moved to the coast of Maine after graduating from Middlebury College with a degree in Gender, Sexuality, & Feminist Studies and Dance. She has gotten to know Maine while leading canoe trips with the Chewonki Foundation, and as a youth educator at OUTMaine, based in Rockland. She is passionate about social justice, improvisational dance, … <a href="https://www.wolfesneck.org/team/matea-mills-andruk/">Continued</a>

Jake is from San Francisco, CA, and recently graduated from UC Davis with degrees in Conservation Biology and Spanish. Over the last 3 years he has taught mountain biking, rock climbing, and kayaking in Colorado and California. When not partaking in those activities, he enjoys birding, playing soccer, and taking naps in his hammock.

Growing up outside Houston, I had almost no exposure to farm life. My love for it began during my trip abroad to England and Wales. It was there that I discovered my passion for rotational grazing and animal husbandry while volunteering on different farms. Once I returned home I had decided that after years of … <a href="https://www.wolfesneck.org/team/brady-swan/">Continued</a>

I grew up 1.5 miles down the road from Wolfe’s Neck Center. My family is known for being one of the oldest families to have been established in Freeport. Growing up and being from a fisherman family I would come here all the time because my dad dug clams by the bridge and in Middle … <a href="https://www.wolfesneck.org/team/katie-coffin/">Continued</a>

David Bennell is the North American lead for Food and Nature at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development where he focuses on sustainable agriculture, natural climate solutions, and global food systems reform. Previously, he was Director of Food and Capital Markets for the investor network Ceres. He’s worked for Microsoft, REI and LL Bean … <a href="https://www.wolfesneck.org/team/david-bennell/">Continued</a>

My farming journey began on a diversified vegetable farm in the mountains of Northern Argentina and led me to farms in South Carolina, Vermont, and the Hudson Valley. Captivated by plants and soils, I went back to school for a Masters in Science in International Agricultural Development from the University of California Davis. As a … <a href="https://www.wolfesneck.org/team/leah-puro/">Continued</a>

I grew up on a farm in Nebraska and have always had a passion for sustainable agriculture with my first enterprise being pastured chickens and sweet corn sales. My interest in scaling soil health practices nationally and internationally through systemic changes has brought me to WNC. I coordinate the global community for the Open Technology … <a href="https://www.wolfesneck.org/team/laura-demmel/">Continued</a>

Everyone knows how to make compost, right? Well would you throw some grapes in a bucket and after a month come back and drink what’s in the bucket? No! Neither should you use compost that you make in this way.  Making truly beneficial hot compost is both and art and a science with certain requirements and procedures … <a href="https://www.wolfesneck.org/team/saturday-april-18-super-compost-workshop/">Continued</a>

Come out to the farm for the return of the Freeport Folk Festival at Wolfe’s Neck! Hosted by the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Freeport in partnership with Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment, the one-day festival will include two stages of music, art and artisan wares for sale, and delicious food. Featuring … <a href="https://www.wolfesneck.org/team/saturday-august-29-freeport-folk-festival/">Continued</a>

I had a somewhat indoorsy childhood in the near-Chicago suburbs; my first camping trip was a weeklong backpacking trip as a part of my college orientation. I’ve been trying to get back outside ever since, whether it has been for class, work, or play. I graduated from Calvin College in Michigan, double majoring in Environmental … <a href="https://www.wolfesneck.org/team/michael-messina/">Continued</a>