Meet Our Staff!
The key to running and maintaining a successful farm is to have dedicated, knowledgeable, and hardworking people behind it. On this page, you will meet the farm staff, student employees and volunteers and learn a little bit about them.
Staff
Josh Hatley
Josh and DJ
Position: Farm Superintendent
Education: The Evergreen State College. Bachelor's of Arts Agriculture
Hometown: New London, North Carolina
Josh came to Witter Farm in March 2016 from New London, NC., where he taught Agriculture classes at a high school. As a former FFA advisor, Josh's true passion is showing meat sheep, but is adjusting nicely to life in the fiber world of Icelandics and the dairy world of Holsteins. Currently, when Josh is not farming, he is a licensed Maine Guide, and is perfecting his taxidermy skills.
Education: The Evergreen State College. Bachelor's of Arts Agriculture
Hometown: New London, North Carolina
Josh came to Witter Farm in March 2016 from New London, NC., where he taught Agriculture classes at a high school. As a former FFA advisor, Josh's true passion is showing meat sheep, but is adjusting nicely to life in the fiber world of Icelandics and the dairy world of Holsteins. Currently, when Josh is not farming, he is a licensed Maine Guide, and is perfecting his taxidermy skills.
Patricia Henderson
Patricia and Raspberry
Position: Livestock Operations Manager
Education: Attended the University of Maine 2012-2017, majoring in Animal Science with an Equine Studies minor.
Hometown: Blaine, Maine
Patricia came to UMAINE in the fall of 2012 majoring in animal science. She quickly became a big part of the Witter farm after participating in UMADCOWS in fall of 2013 milking the cows and doing everything she could to participate. She helped teach the annual spring royal and was involved in Maine Animal Club, during her time as a student. After she graduated, she took a job with FCI and became the dairy herd's nutritionist for a few years after school. Since then, she has decided to come back and accepted the position as livestock operations manager in the spring of 2021. She is bringing her skills from working with dairy farms across the state to improving the herd here at Witter.
Education: Attended the University of Maine 2012-2017, majoring in Animal Science with an Equine Studies minor.
Hometown: Blaine, Maine
Patricia came to UMAINE in the fall of 2012 majoring in animal science. She quickly became a big part of the Witter farm after participating in UMADCOWS in fall of 2013 milking the cows and doing everything she could to participate. She helped teach the annual spring royal and was involved in Maine Animal Club, during her time as a student. After she graduated, she took a job with FCI and became the dairy herd's nutritionist for a few years after school. Since then, she has decided to come back and accepted the position as livestock operations manager in the spring of 2021. She is bringing her skills from working with dairy farms across the state to improving the herd here at Witter.
Robert Causey
Dr. Robert Causey and Pembroke Whiteout
Position: Robert C. Causey DVM, PhD, MRCVS
Diplomate American College of Theriogenologists
Associate Professor Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Director, School of Food and Agriculture
Education:
Hometown:
Diplomate American College of Theriogenologists
Associate Professor Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Director, School of Food and Agriculture
Education:
Hometown:
Ella Hunt
Ella and Detroit
Position: Farm Technician II
Education:
Hometown:
Ella came to UMAINE in 2018 and got her degree in animal science. She became a big part of Witter as a student, when she took UMADCOWS and TA'd the class. Ella decided to join Witter full time after she graduated and we are pleased to have her on the team. Her love and passion to see Witter succeed is evident in everything she does around here. Not only does Ella feed the cows daily, she also helps to manager our forage program, work on equipment, and so much more! Ella has become a huge asset to Witter over the years.
Education:
Hometown:
Ella came to UMAINE in 2018 and got her degree in animal science. She became a big part of Witter as a student, when she took UMADCOWS and TA'd the class. Ella decided to join Witter full time after she graduated and we are pleased to have her on the team. Her love and passion to see Witter succeed is evident in everything she does around here. Not only does Ella feed the cows daily, she also helps to manager our forage program, work on equipment, and so much more! Ella has become a huge asset to Witter over the years.
Cassie Astle
Cassie and Raffles
Position: Equine Trainer
Education: Johnson and Wales University, with an Associate Degree in Equine Science ('93) and a Bachelor's Degree in Equine Business Management and Riding ('95)
Cassie began riding at the age of 10, and owned her first horse by age 14. In addition to studying at Johnson and Wales, Cassie spent several months abroad in Oxfordshire, England, training at Waterstock House Training Centre. After college, Cassie began working as a riding instructor, horse trainer and assistant barn manager at Stony Hills Stables in Amagansett in East Hampton, NY. In '98 Cassie returned to Maine to start her own business, Wild Ivy Farm, Inc. She currently trains under Judy Westlake and competes at the Interediare I dressage level and has earned Silver, Gold and Platinum medals from the Maine Dressage Society. Cassie now works with the UMares and the equine co-op in addition to coaching the UMaine Standardbred Drill Team.
Education: Johnson and Wales University, with an Associate Degree in Equine Science ('93) and a Bachelor's Degree in Equine Business Management and Riding ('95)
Cassie began riding at the age of 10, and owned her first horse by age 14. In addition to studying at Johnson and Wales, Cassie spent several months abroad in Oxfordshire, England, training at Waterstock House Training Centre. After college, Cassie began working as a riding instructor, horse trainer and assistant barn manager at Stony Hills Stables in Amagansett in East Hampton, NY. In '98 Cassie returned to Maine to start her own business, Wild Ivy Farm, Inc. She currently trains under Judy Westlake and competes at the Interediare I dressage level and has earned Silver, Gold and Platinum medals from the Maine Dressage Society. Cassie now works with the UMares and the equine co-op in addition to coaching the UMaine Standardbred Drill Team.
