Student Leaders

Mercedes Pope

(she/her)

Mercedes Pope is an Environmental Studies Major/Creative Writing Minor focusing on sustainable agriculture. She hopes to use what she learns at St. Marys College of Maryland to manage her own homestead one day. Mercedes is the co-president of The Veggie Co-op and vice president of Farm Club. She hopes to travel after college, learning about and immersing herself in the global ecosystem. She is passionate about how people and societies view/interact with the natural world. Mercedes has experience working on two farms and one nature center on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. She visited The Kate Farm on her first tour of St. Marys College and has been dedicated to the Farm's sustainable/interdisciplinary initiatives ever since!

Corinne Frederick

(she/they)

Hi, I'm Corinne, a senior majoring in Environmental Studies and Public Policy Studies and minoring in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. I got involved at the farm to be a part of making something that enriches our campus community and our county community and I've loved it every second of the way! 

Kate Wachter

(she/her)

Hi, I am Kate Wachter, a Senior at St. Mary's! This will be my 3rd year working at the farm and I am so proud of how much the farm has grown. On the farm I love being outside and working with the chickens. On campus I am a resident assistant for WC and I am a environmental studies and political science major. 

Tess Gibson-Thoele

(she/her)

Hi, I’m Tess Gibson-Thoele, a senior at St. Mary’s majoring in Environmental Studies with minors in Biology and Elementary Education. My goal is to bring what I learn at Kate Farm into my future classroom as I become a teacher. After graduation, I plan to pursue a Master's in Education with a focus on Environmental Education. This summer, I interned at the Allegany County Extension Office through a program with University of Maryland Extension, and I’m excited to apply what I learned to my work at Kate Farm. I am also the President of the Kate Farm Club, and this will be my second year as an intern. I’ve been passionate about STEM education since elementary school, and when I discovered Kate Farm, I knew I had to do everything I could to be involved.

Laila Mitchell

(she/her)

Hi there! My name is Laila. I'm a sophomore majoring in psychology and minoring in neuroscience. I love being out with nature and getting my hands dirty! I'm excited to serve the St. Mary's community and learn more about how to work on a farm, as I want my own farm in the future. I plan to use the knowledge I gain to be more sustainable and intentional with how I interact with the environment. As someone who wants to be a professional researcher in psychology and neuroscience, I'm confident this internship will help me sharpen my teamwork, adaptability, and communication skills.

Charlotte Acks

(she/they)

Hi there! I'm Charlotte, a sophomore majoring in Environmental Studies and minoring in Art here at St. Mary's! This will be my first year at the farm, and I am wildly excited to see what opportunities and knowledge I gain from this experience. In addition to working on the farm, I am the president of the Women's Rugby team. I am also the treasurer of SOCA and a member of the Public Art Collective. I thoroughly enjoy spending time outdoors, having quality time with loved ones, painting, identifying plants and animals, reading, and listening to music. Through this internship, I hope to further explore the human relationship with food and just have a great time! 

Sebastian Borland

(he/him)

Hi, I’m Sebastian a junior majoring in ENST. This is my first year working at Kate Farm and I am very excited to have an on campus job that pertains to what I am interested in. I have been doing farm work my whole life and am looking forward to learning a lot more here in this position. I am especially eager to learn more about sustainable farming practices as apposed to farming through chemistry. I think this will be an enriching experience that will give me a wider perspective on farming with the natural environment instead of against it.  

Kirby Kirby

(they/them)

I am an Environmental Studies major and Anthropology minor with a passion for sustainable community development. I love hiking, taking care of my many plants, and discovering new beautiful views through travelling. My personal goal is to make any community I am a part of more environmentally conscious through personal action and inspiring others to think more about their impact on the outdoors

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Sara Dapp

(she/her)

Hi, I'm Sara! I am a senior majoring in environmental studies at St. Mary's College of Maryland. I am excited to be apart of this internship this fall because I enjoy working outdoors, and contributing to the growth of both the community and the farm. I'm more excited to be able to gain hands-on experience and making a positive impact with others!

Tess Gibson-Thoele

(she/her)

I am a sophomore at St. Mary's. I am majoring in Environmental Science and minoring in Biology and Education. I have worked at Rocky Gap State Park, the Maryland Extension Office, and a local food co-op. After I graduate I plan to get my MAT from St. Mary, and then become a STEM educator, either through an extension office or by teaching Agriculture, Environmental Science, and Biology at a High School. I moved to Maryland from the Midwest when I was little. 

Colin Fitzgerald

(he/him)

My name is Collin Fitzgerald and I am a sophomore student at St. Mary’s! I am currently majoring in Environmental Studies. I am apart of the SMCM Track and Field team as well. I love to be outdoors and involved with nature!

Ariana Lecouras

(she/her)

Ariana Lecouras is a senior at St Mary’s, majoring in Environmental Studies with minors in English, History, and Africa & African Diaspora Studies. Ariana enjoys working on the farm with friends and giving back to the St. Mary’s community. When Ariana isn’t on the farm, you can find her jogging around Historic St. Mary’s or reading a good book in the library.

Kendal McHugh

(she/her)

Hi everyone! My name is Kendall, and I am a Senior with majors in Environmental Studies and Art and a minor in Chinese. I have a love for environmental sustainability and community based projects, especially art and its connection to the environment. I enjoy spending time outdoors, raising foster kittens at home, and taking photos on film. I am very excited to join the Kate Farm team again and learn more about sustainable farming practices! 

Mercedes Pope

(she/her)

Mercedes Pope is an Environmental Studies major focusing on sustainable agriculture. She hopes to use what she learns at St. Marys College of Maryland to manage her own homestead one day. Mercedes is a member of the Veggie Co-op and stays active on the St. Mary's Crew team.

Noah Hanscom

(he/him/his)

I am currently enrolled as a upcoming Junior majoring in biochemistry and math. I am joining the Kate Farm team, this summer of 2024 and am really excited to help contribute. Aside from being apart of the Kate Farm Co-op, I am on the men's varsity rowing team and the class of 2026 secretary. I love being outdoors and I look forward to seeing everyone around.

Patton Harbourt

(he/him/his)

Hello! I'm Patton and I will a senior in the Fall 24' semester. I major in Biology and Environmental Studies. I am excited to start my internship at Kate Farm so I can participate in all the amazing ways it gives back to the community. As well I look forward to being apart of the farm at such a pivotal point in its history. Beyond the farm, I am an athlete on St. Mary's Cross Country team and on the St. Mary's Ultimate Team. In the future I aim to be a biological conversationalist and look forward to see how Kate Farm will aid me in my goals.  

William (Tom) Harrison

(he/him)

My name is Tom Harrison. I am a psychology major going into my junior year at St. Mary's College of Maryland. I love nature and being outdoors. I have previously worked for positions that gave out Kate Farm produce to impoverished communities. I am now very excited to be part of this team to continue growing produce that can help our community.

Caleb Minyard 

(he/him)

Hi! I'm Caleb and currently a rising Senior studying Sociology and Anthropology. I love working with my peers and making a positive change in my community. In my free time I play bass guitar with my Band on campus, working out, cooking, updating my Spotify, hiking and camping. I enjoy being outside no matter the weather conditions and doing manual labor. I'm super excited to be apart of the Kate Farm team this summer and learn about sustainable farming practices. 

Dylan Baker

(he/him)

I am a Junior at SMCM studying environmental studies, I love the outdoors, hiking, camping, fishing, farming, building, and raising animals.

Eve Douglas

(she/her)

Hi everyone! My name's Eav, and I am a freshman majoring in Environmental Studies. This is my first year as a Kate Farm intern, where I currently co-run the Kate Farm Stand and help out with various projects on the farm. My favorite thing to do on the farm is collecting chicken eggs from the chicken bus and being able to sell these local eggs at the Kate Farm stand. In the future, I hope to learn how to bee keep at Kate Farm's apiary. 

Jasha Forgione

(he/him)

My name is Jasha Forgione and I am a sophomore majoring in environmental studies and minoring in biology. 

Joel Galarza

(he/him)

Hi, I'm Joel and I am currently a junior at St. Mary's majoring in Biology and Neuroscience. I love being able to make in difference and contribute to the community through sustainable agriculture efforts at the farm. After graduation I plan to enter the Coast Guard as a Marine Science Technician working on pollution control. 

Asher Griffiths

(he/him)

Hello! My name is Asher Griffiths, and I have been interested in birds for a very long time. My family has a small flock of chickens that I work with, and when I saw Kate Farm had chickens, I knew I needed to work there. I specialize in working with chickens, but I am also coordinating efforts to help bring sheep to Kate Farm!

Ariana Lecouras

(she/her)

Ariana Lecouras is a senior at St Mary’s, majoring in History and Environmental Studies with a minor in English. Ariana enjoys working on the farm with friends and giving back to the St. Mary’s community. When Ariana isn’t on the farm, you can find her jogging around Historic St. Mary’s or reading a good book in the library. 

Kendall McHugh

(she/her)

Hi everyone! My name is Kendall, and I am a Junior with majors in Environmental Studies and Art and a minor in Chinese. I have a love for environmental sustainability and community based projects, especially art and its connection to the environment. I enjoy spending time outdoors, raising foster kittens at home, and taking photos on film. I am very excited to join the Kate Farm team and learn more about sustainable farming practices!

Ella Voos

(she/her)

Hi! My name is Ella Voos, and I am a Sophomore majoring in Environmental Studies and Spanish. I have been involved on campus in a variety of ways, from Orientation Leader to Spanish tutor. I love gardening, hiking, and reading in my free time, and I am so excited to be a part of the Kate Farm team this semester to put my environmental knowledge to work!

Paige Bennett

Hi my name is Paige, a first year Marine Science major! After I had completed agriculture courses in high school, I wanted to keep being involved in Maryland's agriculture community. In high school I was the Chapter President of our local FFA and I was on the Envirothon team. I'm so excited to help make a difference at Kate Farms this Fall!

Eve Douglas

Hi everyone! My name's Eav, and I am a freshman majoring in Environmental Studies. This is my first year as a Kate Farm intern, where I currently co-run the Kate Farm Stand and help out with various projects on the farm. My favorite thing to do on the farm is collecting chicken eggs from the chicken bus and being able to sell these local eggs at the Kate Farm stand. In the future, I hope to learn how to bee keep at Kate Farm's apiary. 

Jay Forgione

My name is Jay and I'm a sophomore majoring in environmental studies and minoring in biology. 

Asher Griffiths

Asher Griffiths is a self-professed bird nerd who loves working with chickens and hopes to help bring a bright, bird-filled future to Kate Farm.

Raven Davis

My name is Raven, I am a sophomore with a Psychology major and an Education minor, specifically interested in the Criminal field. I have a love for all things green thumb-related, thrifting, picking up short-lived hobbies, and driving past the sheep farm down the street. Luckily I get to add visiting the chicken bus to that list! I also have a specific interest in planting/growing vegetables and fruit. 

Blaire Dickens

Blaire is a junior at SMCM majoring in philosophy and English with a sociology minor. They're deeply interested in issues surrounding how humans relate to the natural world, with a focus on sustainability and rethinking how humanity relates to nature. They're also very interested in issues of community and how community is created and hope that by working with the Kate Farm, they'll be able to combine their interests in nature and community. In their free time, they enjoy creative writing, reading, and watching movies.

Tiffany Dioko

My name is Tiffany Dioko, and I am a rising junior studying Biology. I have a lot of love for this campus, and I am involved in many ways. I am a captain and coxswain of the Varsity Rowing Team, an orientation leader, and a Campus Store employee. I am a big plant lover and work at the campus Greenhouse under Dr. Torres-Martinez! I'm very excited to join the Kate Farm team and put my green thumbs to work! 

Flor 

Katz-Starr

My name is Flor Katz-Starr and I am a rising senior studying Environmental Studies. I am a captain on the SMCM women's soccer team. In my free time, I enjoy photography, hiking, biking and working out. 

Sarah LaBille

Hi! I’m Sarah, a rising junior at St. Mary’s. I am a Marine Science and Psychology double major. I began my involvement with the Kate Farm following the spring semester of my sophomore year as a volunteer during the summer months leading up to my study abroad program in Australia. Since then, I have continued my involvement as a Kate Farm Summer Intern, learning the ropes from some of the best on the team!

Haley Roche

My name is Haley Roche and I am a biology and biochemistry major. I am a rising Junior on the rowing team at St. Mary's, and I'll be serving as Vice President in SGA (alongside Lily Riseett who also works at Kate Farm). I'm also a biology TA and an orientation leader!! I have a nice little basil garden at home and I'm really excited to apply what I know from working in my family's garden to the Kate Farm!

Andrew Severson

My name is Andrew Severson, I was born and raised in the area. I am a rising Senior at St. Mary's College of Maryland, majoring in Business Administration. I enjoy playing hockey, getting active, and the outdoors.

Kate Watcher

Hi, I am Kate Wachter, a current freshman at St. Mary's! Though it is only my first year on campus, I have been able to be involved with the Kate Farm as much as possible! On the farm, you can find me tending to the 100+ chickens in our "CHXBUS" as well as delivering their eggs to our local food pantry. On campus, I am also a varsity rower, an intern for the campus food pantry, SGA senator for Caroline Hall, and a Resident's Assistant in Caroline Hall.

Alex Cumber

My name is Alex Cumber and I am a freshman here at SMCM! I am a history and art double major, with a minor in educational studies. I've never really worked on a farm, but I am super excited to learn! I really love how much Kate Farm gives back to the community, and I am excited to help further that mission.

Raven Davis

My name is Raven, I am a sophomore with a Psychology major and an Education minor, specifically interested in the Criminal field. I have a love for all things green thumb-related, thrifting, picking up short-lived hobbies, and driving past the sheep farm down the street. Luckily I get to add visiting the chicken bus to that list! I also have a specific interest in planting/growing vegetables and fruit. 

Axl DeFrese

I'm Axl (they/he), and I'm super excited to start the process of working with the Kate Farm as an intern. I'm a sophomore bio major with an environmental studies minor, and I've worked on horse farms in the past as a stable hand and part time lesson instructor at camps. I love working with my hands, and I look forward to learning and applying more sustainable farming techniques.

Corinne Frederick

I am an Environmental Studies and Public Policy double major. I have some past farm experience, but I'm looking forward to getting to know the Kate Farm.

My name is Sarah Grzyb and I’m an SMCM junior majoring in environmental studies and minoring in English and Music. I love working on community based projects and connecting with others about the environment through the arts. I enjoy spending time outdoors, singing with my a capella club, and sewing clothes and costumes in my free time! 

My name is Kia’ra Ruffin. I am a junior here at Saint Mary’s College, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Environmental Studies. Some ways that I stay involved on campus is through participating in research studies for SMP students and planning events for the Programs Board. I am the Arts and Entertainment executive chair for the Programs Board.