About Us
Our Vision
When we invest our resources in strengthening youth and families, we invest in the health and well being of our future generations.
Our Mission
The Maui Farm provides farm-based, family-centered programs that teach essential life skills for self-sufficient living. We offer services to single mothers and their children in a safe neighborhood setting, where individuals and families are nurtured to develop their full potential.
Our Approach
The Maui Farm's 'ohana model of farm-based, family-centered programs is values-based, educational, and utilizes an experiential approach. “Activity is our therapy” is an effective strategy for teaching healthy attitudes and skills through hands-on learning. The Maui Farm teaches communication and problem-solving processes that incorporate forgiveness and empowerment, beliefs and values inherent in promoting the health of the ʻāina and its people.
Our History
The story of The Maui Farm begins with a group of Maui community members gathered around a kitchen table talking about the needs of youth in the foster care system and the problem of “foster care drift”. They envisioned a program that would offer a consistent, stable environment and provide long term care for youth who were not successful in traditional foster care.
The Maui Farm was incorporated in 1985, and its founding Board of Directors dedicated themselves to establishing a farm-based, family style residential program to provide long term care for youth from troubled families. The Maui Farm opened its doors in 1993, delivering services in an ‘ohana model environment and offering meaningful hands-on activities and experiences on how to live as responsible and contributing members of the family and community.
In 2005, The Maui Farm responded to changes within the state’s youth-serving system, and took action to address the growing problem of homelessness, by re-focusing its programs to serve individuals and families in need of community support as they work to attain self-sufficient living.
In 2011, The Maui Farm began offering Farm-based Educational Programs for the Community in order to share the many benefits of our educational farm with a broader segment of the Maui community. The Maui Farm promotes and practices sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, and encourages local agriculture and growing healthy food. The Maui Farm also serves as a teaching farm to promote biodiversity and natural farming practices, as well as a demonstration site to inspire community members of all ages to start a garden.
Our Team
Gabrielle Schuerger
Executive Director • contact Gabrielle
Ihilani Catugal
Program Manager • contact Ihilani
Roman Dolacinski
Facilities Maintenance Manager
Naomi Wick
Office and Administrative Specialist
Shaylisse Gregory
Case Manager • contact Shaylisse
Natalia Barboza
Case Manager • contact Natalia
Andres Koalele Spencer
Farm-Based Programs Assistant
Board of Directors
Beth Mathias, Chairperson
Marketing Associate, Pacific Biodiesel, Inc.
Beth joined the Board in 2011 and previously served a number of terms as the Chair of the Marketing Committee. "During my first visit to the agency, a little boy came running up to me, held up his hand and said in amazement, 'Aunty, this carrot was IN THE GROUND!’ At that moment, The Maui Farm won my heart.” Since then, Beth has watched many moms and keiki transform in TMF's safe neighborhood and farm, guided by our caring staff and benefitting from our programs, as they find their way to healthy self-sufficiency.
Royle Taogoshi, Vice-Chair for Finance
Vice President for First Hawaiian Bank
Since joining the Board in 2019, Royle has provided important financial leadership as we navigate the uncertainties of the economy.
J. Scott Meidell, Vice-Chair for Governance
Chief Operating Officer, Haleakala Ranch Company
Scott joined the Board in 2009. Scott leads the Governance Committee, which is tasked with board recruitment and ensuring the overall health of the Board.
Emily Erickson, Vice-Chair for Development
Owner/President, Evergreen Energy Consulting
Emily joined the Board in 2011. She fell in love with the mission of The Maui Farm so much on her first visit that she asked for a job. To her good fortune, the Farm asked her to be on the Board. After 11 years of service she is still moved by the work and healing that takes place on campus. Emily is also a member of the Finance Committee.
Wendy Rice Peterson, Director
General Partner, Kaonoulu Ranch; Real Estate Agent, Island Sotheby’s International Realty
Wendy is a seasoned nonprofit director and joined the board in 2012. She brings extensive knowledge and experience to The Maui Farm.
Gloria Navarro Buckingham, Director
Attorney, Navarro-Buckingham LLC
Gloria specializes in estate planning, business formation and business law. She generously offers assistance and advocacy for the families we serve, and joined the Board in 2014 with an interest in supporting our resource development activities.
Mark Vaught, Director
Director of Water Resources, Mahi Pono, LLC
Mark has served on The Maui Farm Board of Directors since 1999 and served as Chairperson for many of those years. Possessing a deep organizational knowledge and history, Mark offers effective leadership and guidance.
Luke C. Estes, Director
Senior Vice President Real Estate, Haleakala Ranch Company
Luke joined the Board of Directors in 2024. Luke oversees the real estate needs of the Ranch both on Maui and the mainland. As a father of 3 daughters, he is particularly interested in supporting The Maui Farm's resources, programs, and development activities.
Join Our Team!
Questions? Contact us at info@themauifarm.org
Interested in Volunteering?
Click here to learn about how you can support The Maui Farm by volunteering.