Maxson Hence (Board Member and President)
Max is a professional farmer and forester with over 20 years experience as an entrepreneur. A nine-year veteran of the U.S. military, Max received his BS in Forest Management from Oregon State University in 1994 and has since developed or otherwise been actively engaged in multiple businesses including organic farming, e-commerce, international log procurement, “for-profit” fundraising, non-profit education, and others. Mr. Hence has also been a consultant in the bio-energy sector for the past 5 years. During this time, he performed services for Dynamotive Energy Systems, Africa Biofuel and Emissions Reduction LLC, Westshore Bioenergy, and Atlantic Ethanol. Services rendered include: identifying and securing long-term supplies of feed-stocks for biomass-conversion plants in the United States and Canada; negotiation of overseas contracts related to the validation of bio-fuel(s) and their off-take; biomass market research, and the facilitation of project financing.
Max is happily married with three children and resides on an historic family farm in Westerly, R.I., where he and his wife operate Hillandale Farm and Ayers Foundation.
Max is a professional farmer and forester with over 20 years experience as an entrepreneur. A nine-year veteran of the U.S. military, Max received his BS in Forest Management from Oregon State University in 1994 and has since developed or otherwise been actively engaged in multiple businesses including organic farming, e-commerce, international log procurement, “for-profit” fundraising, non-profit education, and others. Mr. Hence has also been a consultant in the bio-energy sector for the past 5 years. During this time, he performed services for Dynamotive Energy Systems, Africa Biofuel and Emissions Reduction LLC, Westshore Bioenergy, and Atlantic Ethanol. Services rendered include: identifying and securing long-term supplies of feed-stocks for biomass-conversion plants in the United States and Canada; negotiation of overseas contracts related to the validation of bio-fuel(s) and their off-take; biomass market research, and the facilitation of project financing.
Max is happily married with three children and resides on an historic family farm in Westerly, R.I., where he and his wife operate Hillandale Farm and Ayers Foundation.
Ulrike Maria Hence (Secretary)
German-born and educated, Mrs. Hence is co-owner of Hillandale Farm and co-founder of the Ayers Foundation (AYERS). A certified German Educator experienced in special education and early childhood development, Mrs Hence brings immeasurable experience in the art and science of growing organic food to the outdoor classrooms situated at Hillandale and other affiliated farms, where she helps teach and carry-out the mission of AYERS.
In the first year of operations, Mrs Hence, working closely with Kids First of Rhode Island, personally coordinated farm tours, work shops, and hands-on learning for nearly five hundred students at multiple farms in Westerly RI.
In collaboration with the Westerly Tower Street Community Center, Mrs. Hence successfully co-developed and managed daily programs for thirty 6-10 year olds attending a summer farm and food camp at Hillandale and other area farms (see programs). The camp's success in 2012 has been recognized by the kids themselves, the parents, the administrators, as well as others in the community and bodes well for additional funding of summer learning programs in the future.
Mrs. Hence and her husband, Maxson Hence, have embarked on a mission to enhance the education of RI and Eastern CT's youth through experiential learning and feel most fortunate that they are in a position to share the bounty of natural resources and knowledge they work with and practice every day.
German-born and educated, Mrs. Hence is co-owner of Hillandale Farm and co-founder of the Ayers Foundation (AYERS). A certified German Educator experienced in special education and early childhood development, Mrs Hence brings immeasurable experience in the art and science of growing organic food to the outdoor classrooms situated at Hillandale and other affiliated farms, where she helps teach and carry-out the mission of AYERS.
In the first year of operations, Mrs Hence, working closely with Kids First of Rhode Island, personally coordinated farm tours, work shops, and hands-on learning for nearly five hundred students at multiple farms in Westerly RI.
In collaboration with the Westerly Tower Street Community Center, Mrs. Hence successfully co-developed and managed daily programs for thirty 6-10 year olds attending a summer farm and food camp at Hillandale and other area farms (see programs). The camp's success in 2012 has been recognized by the kids themselves, the parents, the administrators, as well as others in the community and bodes well for additional funding of summer learning programs in the future.
Mrs. Hence and her husband, Maxson Hence, have embarked on a mission to enhance the education of RI and Eastern CT's youth through experiential learning and feel most fortunate that they are in a position to share the bounty of natural resources and knowledge they work with and practice every day.
Brendan Haggerty
“I hold a deep belief that critical thought is the most indispensable quality of a self-governing society, and therefore public education must be recognized as the heart of a functioning democracy.”
— Brendan Haggerty
Mr. Haggerty is one of two science teachers at The Greene School, where he teaches chemistry. Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and education, and a personality that inspires a thirst for learning, Mr. Haggerty is undoubtedly one of The Greene School’s strongest advocates of expeditionary learning. He believes in experiential education, a process in which students are immersed in direct learning through field work which then relates back to the classroom experience
Before joining The Greene School, Mr. Haggerty taught at an expeditionary learning school in Arizona, but his desire to return to his New England roots, and its diverse ecosystems and landscapes led him to embrace the unique opportunity to serve students in Rhode Island, where The Greene School is the first and only expeditionary learning, chartered public high school. Mr. Haggerty is also a regular leader during field work trips held on site and locally within the surrounding communities of Rhode Island.
Before joining The Greene School, Mr. Haggerty taught at an expeditionary learning school in Arizona, but his desire to return to his New England roots, and its diverse ecosystems and landscapes led him to embrace the unique opportunity to serve students in Rhode Island, where The Greene School is the first and only expeditionary learning, chartered public high school. Mr. Haggerty is also a regular leader during field work trips held on site and locally within the surrounding communities of Rhode Island.
Patrick Strauss
Patrick Strauss is an educated young chef entrepreneur from New York who dedicated his life to the service of others. His experience includes his Masters degree in Business and Finance, Michelin Kitchens, Religh & Chatuex, Agriculture, philanthropic endeavors, and his culinary backpacker's excursion across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. In his most recent venture focus, Fresher Choice, Patrick innovates a new approach toward sourcing local food by creating an innovative online marketplace for producers to sell through, and an all-in-one back-end administrative management tool to run their farm businesses on.
Patrick Strauss is an educated young chef entrepreneur from New York who dedicated his life to the service of others. His experience includes his Masters degree in Business and Finance, Michelin Kitchens, Religh & Chatuex, Agriculture, philanthropic endeavors, and his culinary backpacker's excursion across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. In his most recent venture focus, Fresher Choice, Patrick innovates a new approach toward sourcing local food by creating an innovative online marketplace for producers to sell through, and an all-in-one back-end administrative management tool to run their farm businesses on.
Matthew H. Thomsen
Matthew H. Thomsen - University of Connecticut (BA, 1980), Western New England College (J.D., 1983) and Emory University (LL.M., 1984). Licensed to practice law in Rhode Island and Connecticut and before the Connecticut Federal District Court and the U.S. Tax Court. Member of Thornton, Thomsen, Cavaliere & Arsenault, Inc. since 1987.
Law practice focuses on estate planning, from very simple plans to very complex estate plans, federal and state estate and income tax issues, such as transactional tax planning and audits, small business planning and administration. Firm represents or has represented many non-profit and public entities, including The Watch Hill Conservancy, the Weekapaug Foundation for Conservation, and two fire districts. Audit experience with the IRS, the Connecticut Department of Revenue and the Rhode Island Division of Taxation includes representing clients from the initial field audit to appealing IRS decisions to the U.S. Tax Court or applicable state court. Firm has also represented many taxpayers regarding property tax assessments and has given seminars on property taxation for the National Business Institute
Mr. Thomsen has served or volunteered on the Town of Westerly’s Finance Board, Charter Commission, Manager Search Committee and Harbor Commission, and Dunns Corners Fire District. He has also served as Director of the Washington County Literacy Volunteers of America, Chairman of the Westerly Hospital Foundation, as a Trustee of the Westerly Hospital’s Board of Trustees, led a Legal Explorer Post for the Boy Scouts of America (Matthew in an Eagle Scout), and served as a member of the Development Committee for The Westerly Library and for the Stand Up For Animals organization.
Other memberships include member of theand associations include those with the Watch Hill Yacht Club (Past Commodore), the North End Club and the Bocce Club.
Mr. Thomsen is married to Adrienne N. Hall and has two daughters, Mallory and Helena Hall-Thomsen.
Matthew H. Thomsen - University of Connecticut (BA, 1980), Western New England College (J.D., 1983) and Emory University (LL.M., 1984). Licensed to practice law in Rhode Island and Connecticut and before the Connecticut Federal District Court and the U.S. Tax Court. Member of Thornton, Thomsen, Cavaliere & Arsenault, Inc. since 1987.
Law practice focuses on estate planning, from very simple plans to very complex estate plans, federal and state estate and income tax issues, such as transactional tax planning and audits, small business planning and administration. Firm represents or has represented many non-profit and public entities, including The Watch Hill Conservancy, the Weekapaug Foundation for Conservation, and two fire districts. Audit experience with the IRS, the Connecticut Department of Revenue and the Rhode Island Division of Taxation includes representing clients from the initial field audit to appealing IRS decisions to the U.S. Tax Court or applicable state court. Firm has also represented many taxpayers regarding property tax assessments and has given seminars on property taxation for the National Business Institute
Mr. Thomsen has served or volunteered on the Town of Westerly’s Finance Board, Charter Commission, Manager Search Committee and Harbor Commission, and Dunns Corners Fire District. He has also served as Director of the Washington County Literacy Volunteers of America, Chairman of the Westerly Hospital Foundation, as a Trustee of the Westerly Hospital’s Board of Trustees, led a Legal Explorer Post for the Boy Scouts of America (Matthew in an Eagle Scout), and served as a member of the Development Committee for The Westerly Library and for the Stand Up For Animals organization.
Other memberships include member of theand associations include those with the Watch Hill Yacht Club (Past Commodore), the North End Club and the Bocce Club.
Mr. Thomsen is married to Adrienne N. Hall and has two daughters, Mallory and Helena Hall-Thomsen.
Sharyn Singer
Sharyn Singer is a former registered nurse, a Naturopath-UK (London College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences), tutor and full time professional chef.
Her enthusiasm for Naturopathic principles and particularly ‘food as medicine’ takes her work to many different levels. Having recognized the profound health benefits foods offered while working as a nurse, she has studied and embraced an understanding of food in various ways. For over 35 years she has worked with, taught and continued to learn and appreciate the benefits of authentic, wholesome, nutritious and seasonal food. Sharyn has extensive experience giving talks and workshops as well as teaching Naturopathic Nutrition in different educational capacities; co-directing and tutoring at the London College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Science, various schools of complementary medicine as well as mainstream education. She cooks professionally and privately, providing healthy, wholesome foods and specializes in an individual’s unique food requirements. Dedicated to promoting healthy attitudes to food throughout life, beginning with very young children, Sharyn has developed an educational project ‘Eat a Rainbow Every Day’ which encourages children to grow, cook and eat vegetables and fruits and wholesome food in imaginative, colorful and fun ways. These have been used in the US and UK in schools and at food festivals, summer camps and library programs.
Currently Sharyn works full time as a chef and offers talks, workshops and adult cooking classes on healthy eating.
Sharyn Singer is a former registered nurse, a Naturopath-UK (London College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences), tutor and full time professional chef.
Her enthusiasm for Naturopathic principles and particularly ‘food as medicine’ takes her work to many different levels. Having recognized the profound health benefits foods offered while working as a nurse, she has studied and embraced an understanding of food in various ways. For over 35 years she has worked with, taught and continued to learn and appreciate the benefits of authentic, wholesome, nutritious and seasonal food. Sharyn has extensive experience giving talks and workshops as well as teaching Naturopathic Nutrition in different educational capacities; co-directing and tutoring at the London College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Science, various schools of complementary medicine as well as mainstream education. She cooks professionally and privately, providing healthy, wholesome foods and specializes in an individual’s unique food requirements. Dedicated to promoting healthy attitudes to food throughout life, beginning with very young children, Sharyn has developed an educational project ‘Eat a Rainbow Every Day’ which encourages children to grow, cook and eat vegetables and fruits and wholesome food in imaginative, colorful and fun ways. These have been used in the US and UK in schools and at food festivals, summer camps and library programs.
Currently Sharyn works full time as a chef and offers talks, workshops and adult cooking classes on healthy eating.