STAFF
The Durham Public Schools Hub Farm is run by a small team of dedicated individuals. Meet our farm team on your next visit to the Hub!
Geoff Seelen, Program Manager
As Program Manager, Geoff leads the Hub Farm’s talented team of educators as they facilitate field trips, build curriculum, host events & workshops, and steward the Hub Farm’s growing spaces, animals, hiking trails, and physical assets. Before coming to the Hub Farm, Geoff previously worked as a middle school teacher for Durham Public Schools, was a part-owner and operator of a small vegetable farm, and spent time in the world of fine-dining. He has always been passionate about project management, system-building, and mentorship. When he is not at work, you will find him fishing, hiking, and spending time with his family. Geoff holds degrees in music from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and McGill University. You can contact him at geoffrey_seelen@dpsnc.net
Hannah Ball-Damberg, Hub Farm Educator
Hannah (she/her/hers) is a native Durhamite and was a student in Durham Public Schools herself, so returning to work in DPS is a huge privilege! Hannah graduated from Oberlin College with a Bachelors degree in Environmental Studies and Geology and a concentration in Environmental Education. Hannah has worked with young people in a variety of roles and settings, including on an urban farm in Harlem, NYC; a local YMCA in Santiago, Chile; and the Green River Preserve camp in the beautiful Appalachian mountains of NC. She also comes with 6 years of vegetable production experience on three farms in the Piedmont area. At the Hub Farm since January 2018, Hannah serves as a Farm Educator, where she manages 30 acres of pollinator and vegetable gardens, trails, and livestock; manages volunteers; leads and coordinates field trips; mentors high school and college interns; and more! When her hands aren’t in the dirt, she enjoys biking, running, exploring new places, hiking with her dog Sadie, cooking for friends, and listening to live music! You can contact her at hannah_balldamberg@dpsnc.net
Rae Cohn, ’24-’25 AmeriCorps Service Member
Rae (she/they) is so excited to be back home in North Carolina, working with the wonderful folks at the Hub Farm as an AmeriCorps Service Member for Resilience Corps NC’s 2023-2024 cohort! Originally from the triangle, Rae went to high school at NCSSM, received their undergraduate degree from Duke in Environmental Science and Biology, and has a masters from the University of Rhode Island in Marine Affairs. After working with fishing communities in NC, Palau, and Kenya to support sustainable harvesting practices and environmental education in coastal environments, they wanted to bring their experiences with aquatic ecosystems and food geographies back to young people in the Durham community. For their service year, Rae is a garden steward, facilitates field trips and community events at the Hub Farm, and is plotting more ways to engage Durhamites in their own food sovereignty (including through the farm’s fishery: our pond)! Off the farm, you may find them working on various arts and crafts projects, running and biking around town with their two doggos, or having adventures in our amazing local parks. You can contact them at rae@thehubfarm.org
Darian Harris, Director of Career & Technical Education
Bio coming