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

Lorraine link

Lorraine Link has been working with kids for 30 years on the North Fork. She lives in Jamesport and enjoys all outdoor activities. Lorraine comes from a family of educators and has worked in a local preschool for 25+ years and also has worked with special needs children and adults for the past 10 years. She has a passion for working with all children to help them learn with their inquiring minds, develop their curiosity and try new things. Lorraine looks forward to fostering young minds through exploration in the Farm Hands program.

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.