OUR FOUNDER
In the summer of 2013, 12-year-old Gracie Pfaff read a book based on a true story of how one teacher changed the fate of a failing family farm. The story inspired her so much that she immediately began to ponder food insecurity and small scale farming. Gracie had dreams of going to Africa to teach hungry people how to grow their own food in sustainable ways. Her parents supported her dream, but encouraged her to start local. So, Gracie founded Harvest107 and began making her impact at a small school just outside of Nashville, TN.
Now age 15, Gracie is one of the youngest service leaders in the world. Some kids may have been satisfied with the school project that fed about 24 families, but her heart is now set on preventing hunger in sustainable ways for every person on the planet. After a month-long trip with her family to Haiti in early 2014, Gracie knew where Harvest107 needed to go next. She and her family now live in Port au Prince, creating sustainable urban microfarms for orphans and impoverished communities throughout Haiti.
The young entrepreneur is still a typical teenage girl – she loves to write songs, dance and do yoga (when she isn’t working). She is homeschooled, but on a mission to disprove the stereo-type.
When Gracie was asked, “What’s next?”, she replied:
“This is what’s next. This is all I want to do – I love it! I won’t stop until everyone has the option to eat fresh food.”
She is currently in the process of meeting other service leaders and potential partners to expand Harvest107’s operations as well as her education.
Our Staff
“Another day at the plant with…”
Gary Pfaff
Executive Director
Gary is an entrepreneur with more than 20 years experience in upper management. The majority of his career has been split between creative ventures (mainly music) as well as technology and design companies.
Rhiana Pfaff
Director of Programs
Rhiana is a humanitarian that is devoted to a healthy, homeopathic life. Prior to leaving the corporate world to raise and educate her children, Rhiana managed and developed healthcare companies.
Josue
Certified Agronomist
Josue is the newest member of the Harvest107 family. He recently obtained his Certified status after graduating from Université Polyvalente D’Haiti. Josue is Harvest107’s first Certified Agronomist and brings much knowledge and skill with him. He is excited about his job and loves learning as much as possible about improving Haiti’s agriculture sector.
Parnell
Carpenter
Parnell is a master carpenter who has a big heart for our mission. At times we feel bad for asking such an amazing craftsman to build our wacky designs with old recycled pallet wood. He swears he loves every minute of it and we’re happy to have him.
Peterson
Agronomist & Carpentry Assistant
Peterson is a hard worker who recently finished his carpentry apprenticeship and is currently working as an apprentice to Harvest107’s lead agronomist, Josue. He has earned the nickname “Strong Peterson” after showing some super human strength on more than one occasion.
Michael
Designer/Engineer
Michael is from England and comes from a family of keen gardeners – he has a particular interest in edible herbs and scented plants to attract pollinators and when time allows he continues to study propagation techniques. He brought lavender seeds from his garden in Kent that we intendant to grow to add to our stock of bee-friendly plants. After working with the Harvest107 team in Haiti he is now in Nepal where (along with work for several other non-profit groups) he will be continuing to work on projects for Harvest107.
Duprenne
Intern
Duprenne is a High School student who recently became an official part of the Harvest107 team after numerous volunteer outings. He is always eager to learn new skills and help wherever he can. He has big plans to become a brain surgeon and we have no doubt that he can do it.