OUR STORY
The origin of Farm Day dates back to 2008, when a small group of parents and educators began a Waldorf Parent + Child summer class at the Ludlow Farm in Bridgehampton. After two very fruitful summers on the farm, it was decided to start a Waldorf kindergarten. Thus began Harbor Waldorf School, which operated in Sag Harbor from 2009 until its closing in 2023.
During each summer, the school offered a satellite farm camp, moving locations from the Ludlow farm and eventually landing permanently at Fireplace Farm in 2015. The summer farm camp became a beloved fixture to children and parents from the Waldorf community and beyond, and a yearly highlight to many.
When Harbor Waldorf School closed in 2023, fortunately, its summer program was able to continue on at Fireplace Farm, through the generous support of the farm’s owners Maxwell and Oliver Ryan and farmer Paul Hamilton.
Under a new name - Farm Day - our first season as a new organization began in 2024. There were some additions, such as a longer day and more weeks offered, but the program remains in essence as it has always been.
Maggie Touchette, Harbor Waldorf School’s director from 2009- 2019 and the camp’s director from 2009 until the present, continues on as the program’s director and one of it’s lead teachers.
Below are some of our staff biographies. In addition, assistant teachers and camp counselors support lead teachers and work with individual and small groups of campers.
STAFF
Maggie Touchette
Director and Lead Teacher (5-9s program)
Maggie has worked as a Waldorf Educator since 2009, when she helped found Harbor Waldorf School in Sag Harbor. At HWS, she worked in the various positions of: Parent + Child, Nursery, Kindergarten, and school administration until 2019, when she and her family relocated to Portugal. They spend each school year there, returning to the East End in the summers. Maggie has a Masters of Education from Fordham University and a Waldorf Teaching Certificate from the Sunbridge Institute.
Holly Maran
Lead Teacher (3-4s program)
Holly joined Harbor Waldorf School in 2011 as a kindergarten assistant teacher, and then moved into the position of lead nursery teacher. Most recently, she has worked in the nursery at Pine Hill Waldorf School in New Hampshire. Holly received a LifeWays Waldorf certification in 2012. In addition to her work with early childhood education, Holly, who grew up surfing, works with surf camps and surf retreats in NY and California.
Andi Pisacano
Art Teacher
Andi has worked in a variety of positions in Waldorf schools since she began her career in education over 30 years ago. Most recently, she has taught Parent and Child classes at the Ithaca Waldorf School in upstate New York. Before moving upstate, Andi was on the faculty of Harbor Waldorf School for ten years. She also worked as a third grade teacher at the Garden City Waldorf School. She has a BFA in Fine Arts from the Museum School in Boston and a Masters in Elementary Education. In her free time, Andi paints, creates and entertains those around her.
Matthew Ross
Farm Teacher
2025 will be Farmer Matt’s first season as the Farmer for Fireplace Farm, although he has been involved since 2009, when he began keeping bees here on the farm. In addition to tending the field, Farmer Matt will be expanding the farm stand at Fireplace Farm to include offerings such as scones and muffins, prepared by Matt himself. Prior to taking over the farm, Matt was Executive Chef at the South Fork Country Club.
Any questions ?
Reach us directly to ask anything! We are happy to share details of our program and talk through any questions you may have.