Claudia Pine - Founder/Executive Director

Claudia  (she/her) has a BA in Anthropology and Classical Antiquities and a MA in Anthropology. She was also  Ph.D. candidate who studied environmental science at  University of Idaho with a  focus on soil environmental science; environmental philosophy, and sustainability. Claudia has taught college courses for undergraduate and graduate students at University of Idaho, University of Oregon, and Metropolitan State College ( Denver, Colorado). 

Claudia has an extensive background in civic action for healthy and sustainable communities and  has been a successful leader and collaborator working in nonprofits, civic campaigns, and community groups in Idaho Falls and the State of Idaho.

Claudia has over 30 years of experience in organic gardening including co-founding the University of Idaho organic farm  in 2003.  Claudia has been growing produce for donation in Idaho Falls since 2014 and the had vision of creating an urban farm with the support of Idaho Falls community leaders, volunteers and donors.  

Email: claudia.hemphill.pine@gmail.com

Hollis Henry - Board President

Hollis (she/her) holds a BA in Computer Information Systems and recently retired from the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) where she spent many years as the program manager for software quality assurance–managing budgets and people, developing governance procedures, and ensuring that nuclear safety software developed and used at INL was done so in accordance with industry quality standards and best practices. During her tenure at INL, Hollis’s nuclear industry peers voted her on to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Nuclear Quality Assurance committee where she worked with other leading industry experts to develop and improve nuclear safety software quality standards for the worldwide nuclear industry. In these roles, she honed skills in leadership, management, strategic planning and development, mentoring, and collaboration and consensus building. 

Over the years, Hollis has owned and managed several of her own small businesses and has served on several local boards, including Idaho Falls Pride (founder) and the Idaho Falls Multiple Listing Service. Since 2023, she has served as a volunteer at Bonneville Humane Society and Happyville Community Farm.

Raised on a small farm, in 2020 Hollis reignited a passion for getting her hands in the soil by beginning to grow some of her own vegetables. In 2021, she and her husband adopted a whole-food plant-based (vegan) lifestyle, and due to astonishing health improvements she is passionate about using her knowledge and skills to help Happyville Community Farm achieve its mission to advance community health and vitality.

In her spare time, Hollis loves experimenting with and developing new whole-food plant-based recipes, creating delicious and nutritious food, canning, reading, outdoor activities (because nature is breathtaking!), lots of traveling to wonderful destinations, and, of course, traveling  to spend time with her three amazing children!

Email: HollishHenry@gmail.com

René Miller - Vice-President / Treasurer

René  (she/her) has volunteered at Happyville Farm since 2021. René has a B.S. in Home Economics and found her true calling as a Software Administrator for Idaho Falls School District. She worked for over 20 years providing software training and support for a wide range of software platforms. 

René is an advocate of food justice, which works to allow all individuals regardless of economic barriers equitable access to fresh nutritious food to reduce food insecurity. 

Previously René served on the Equal Access Playground committee, which fundraised to build the playground at Tautphaus Park in 2007.  The Equal Access Playground is a universally accessible playground where all children, including typically developing children and children with physical, sensory and developmental disabilities can play together.  

René has always loved gardening, learning, and serving her community. 

Email: rmkmiller91@gmail.com 

Elizabeth Cogliati - Board Secretary 

Elizabeth (she/her) grew up in New Mexico and attended Montana State University-Bozeman, where she received a bachelor's degree in health and human development with a focus on early childhood education and a minor in horticulture. She has lived in Idaho Falls for almost 20 years. She loves plants and growing them and is so excited to be working with Happyville Community Farm.

Email: morganna1812@gmail.com 

Doug Powell - Board Member

Doug (he/him) holds a BS & MS in Industrial/Medical Microbiology, with a minor in photography. During his 40+ years in real estate syndicating apartment buildings and working with investors, he developed many valued relationships. Doug brings his knowledge, skills and experience to Happyville Farms, where he acts as the Development and Fundraising chair.

Doug’s mother was a master gardener and would be so proud of his passion to engage in helping to develop Happyville into a unique and valuable community asset that grows fresh, healthy produce for food-insecure people.

Email: douglasapowell@gmail.com 

Land Acknowledgment

We acknowledge that Happyville Farm is located on the traditional territories of the Shoshone, Bannock, and Paiute peoples, collectively known as the Newe.

The Newe traditional lands were vast and extended into what are now the states of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, and beyond.

We honor the path they have always shown us in caring for this place for the generations to come.