Who We Are
Evan Ryan has offered his love of the land as a permaculture designer, farmer, project manager and educator on Maui since 2000. He has extensive experience with building educational programs working with children of all ages and adults. He is the author of Hawai’i Home Garden’s: Growing Vegetables in the Subtropics Using Holistic Methods, which has been adopted statewide as a farmer training manual in addition to a home gardener’s resource book. As an early board member supporting the growth of the Hawaii Farmer’s Union United, and as an agricultural educator, Evan has worked closely with many of Maui’s non-profit organizations that are supporting the growth of agricultural mentorship in our community. He has worked for and started a handful of non-profit projects focused on sustainability and education. Pono Grown Farm Center has been the vision he has held since arriving on Maui.
Emily Fischer is Pono Grown Farm’s garden manager. In addition to managing the day to day operations in the vegetable gardens, Emily also manages the intern program and can be found every Saturday vending at the Upcountry Farmer’s Market.
In addition to acting as Pono Grown Farm’s nursery manager, Danielle Ryan supports Pono Grown’s organizational structures, design and vision. She has a diverse background in office management, outdoor education, rites of passage, nutrition, and the healing arts. Danielle is the creator and facilitator of Samana Wellness, through which she empowers people to improve their health on all levels: mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Her approach is rooted in self-awareness, the natural elements, and cultivating balance through diet and lifestyle choices. Danielle is enthusiastic about how Pono Grown Farm Center offers a model for comfortable, modern, sustainable living.