About
Farm Hands is a program where children learn outdoors by working in gardens and on a farm. Participants use their senses as they explore land, animals, and water, and learn what it takes to get food and protect where it comes from. The program focuses on building resilience, confidence, and problem-solving skills through exploration of the natural world.
Jessica de Vera Wells, the Director and a teacher, is a local farmer and certified teacher with a degree in Horticulture from Cornell University and a Masters of Education from Hunter College. Teacher Sophia Malatesta is a long-time educator with elementary classroom experience and is certified as a Level 3 Forest School Leader. Teacher Lillian (Lilly) Cowburn has a bachelor’s degree in Plant Science. Teacher Danielle Hendrickson is a certified elementary school teacher and previously worked for the Town of Riverhead Parks and Recreation Department as the Cultural Affairs Supervisor. The staff includes certified teachers and a certified Level 3 Forest School Leader, and the team includes local farmers and educators with agriculture and outdoor education backgrounds. The program is associated with Hallockville, and Jessica de Vera Wells grew up on her family’s farm, Wells Homestead Acres, in Aquebogue.
Last updated February 7, 2026.
Jessica de Vera Wells, the Director and a teacher, is a local farmer and certified teacher with a degree in Horticulture from Cornell University and a Masters of Education from Hunter College. Teacher Sophia Malatesta is a long-time educator with elementary classroom experience and is certified as a Level 3 Forest School Leader. Teacher Lillian (Lilly) Cowburn has a bachelor’s degree in Plant Science. Teacher Danielle Hendrickson is a certified elementary school teacher and previously worked for the Town of Riverhead Parks and Recreation Department as the Cultural Affairs Supervisor. The staff includes certified teachers and a certified Level 3 Forest School Leader, and the team includes local farmers and educators with agriculture and outdoor education backgrounds. The program is associated with Hallockville, and Jessica de Vera Wells grew up on her family’s farm, Wells Homestead Acres, in Aquebogue.
Last updated February 7, 2026.
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