The Hub Farm Team

The Durham Public Schools Hub Farm is run by a small team of dedicated individuals.

Steve Scholle

A throughline for Steve in working as a professional scientist, outdoor recreation specialist, and nearly 13 years of service to the Museum of Life and Science, has been a deep appreciation for the power of the outdoors to connect learners to the world around them, to one another, and to themselves. Irrespective of his varied roles and responsibilities, his deepest love is learning, and Nature has been his most beloved teacher. He has an effervescent passion for sharing the lessons that are waiting across a clear night sky, in every drop of water, under any leaf, or in a handful of soft soil. Steve comes to Durham from the Rocky Mountains. He grew up spending his days exploring and learning in the outdoors with his family and friends living across Colorado, Texas, Wyoming, and New Mexico. His heart still sings the songs of the West, and he visits regularly, but he’s fallen deeply in love with North Carolina, especially his Durham community. Steve has Bachelor of Science degrees in both biology and environmental science with a minor in Hispanic studies from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. He also received a Master of Science degree in biology from the University of New Mexico, where he conducted ecological research in the Rio Grande river.

Outside of the Farm, Steve enjoys cooking, dancing, lifting heavy things, playing and listening to live music, and building art and other cool things with all the dreamers of the dream. You can contact Steve at steven_scholle@dpsnc.net.

Hub Farm Manager

Justin Walker

Justin, who has always found the natural world to be a source of wonder, excitement, and calm, brings a variety of professional experience to the Hub Farm. He is an outdoor enthusiast and youth advocate who is dedicated to being a supportive guide for all students throughout the Durham community. As a former chef, Justin loves to grow, cook, and eat his fruits and vegetables! He is a recent Master of Social Work graduate from North Carolina State University, and, prior to the Hub Farm, he was a Restorative Practices Coordinator for Durham Public Schools. When he is not at the Hub Farm, Justin is often in his garden, listening to music, making delicious meals for family and friends, camping, climbing mountains, and fishing along the coasts of the Carolinas. His ultimate goal is to work alongside community members, building and fostering meaningful relationships in supportive learning environments designed to improve the standard of youth education, leaving a positive impact along the way. You can contact Justin at justin_walker@dpsnc.net

Hub Farm Educator

A lifelong educator and learner, Ashley is at her happiest when she’s sun-tired and covered in dirt. She brings a background in informal education and environmental field work to the Hub Farm, and is thrilled to both lead and learn alongside students of all ages while exploring the natural world. Ashley has dedicated nearly her entire adult life to working with children, and believes deeply in the resiliency, creativity, and insight of our youth. She loves to encourage kids to embrace their innate curiosity and firmly believes that there’s no such thing as too many questions. She’ll happily talk endlessly about native plant species, the history of bananas, human relationships to the environment, and the overarching mythology of the X-Files series. Ashley received her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Bryn Mawr College and has since worked in education at the Museum of Life and Science and Marbles Kids Museum, as well as the conservation department at the NC Botanical Garden. When she’s not at the Hub Farm, you can find Ashley gardening, practicing aerial silks, rock climbing, and going on adventures with her dog, River. You can contact Ashley at ashley_boyette@dpsnc.net.