If you know which specialist you would like to reach, their contact information is provided below. If, however, you are unsure whom to contact, please use the inquiry form to the right and the appropriate team member will respond to your request.

Sam Anderson

Urban Agriculture Specialist

55 Hanson Place, Suite 350
Brooklyn, NY 11217

cell 781-366-5939
email Sam

Kristy Apostolides

Farm to School Coordinator, Lower Hudson Valley

phone 845-429-7085 x106
email Kristy

Cheryl Bilinski

Local Food Systems Specialist, Farm to School Lead

phone 607-592-9507
email Cheryl

Amy Bly

Farm to School Coordinator, Long Island

CCE office
Long Island, NY

phone 631-827-1015
email Amy

Lizzy Cooper

Farm to School Coordinator, Central NY

Central NY
phone 315-630-0405
email Lizzy

Meghan Dohman

Farm to School Coordinator, North Country

CCE Essex County
cell 518-791-1888
email Meghan

Makela Elvy

Urban Garden Leadership Curriculum Specialist

cell 347-804-5820
email Makela

Vicki Giarratano

Assistant Director for Food Systems
email Vicki

Yolanda Gonzalez

Urban Agriculture Specialist

55 Hanson Place, Suite 350
Brooklyn, NY 11217

cell 516-305-0358
email Yolanda

Karen Guzman

Urban Gardens Specialist

cell 929-468-5179
email Karen

Mallory Hohl

Urban Gardens Specialist

cell 716-880-0275
email Mallory

Kwesi Joseph

Urban Gardens Specialist

cell 718-809-2781
email Kwesi

Kyle Karnuta

Urban Ag Curriculum Development Specialist

cell 310-739-8735
email Kyle

Lori Koenick

Extension Support Specialist

cell 585-469-5798
email Lori

Becky O'Connor

Farm to School Coordinator, WNY & Finger Lakes

CCE Erie County
cell 845-706-0293
email Becky

Kitty O'Neil

Ag Climate Resiliency Specialist

cell 315-854-1218
email Kitty

Lindsey Pashow

Ag Business Development & Marketing Specialist

CCE Clinton County
6064 NY-22 #5
Plattsburgh, NY 12901

cell 518-569-3073
email Lindsey

Sara Jean (SJ) Peterson

Farm to School Coordinator, New York City

NYC Dept of Education office
Long Island City, NY

cell 929-895-2257
email Sara Jean (SJ)

Kate Preston

Farm to School Education Specialist
email Kate

Judson Reid

Extension Vegetable Specialist, Team Leader

CCE Yates County
417 Liberty Street
Penn Yan, NY 14527

phone 315-536-5123
cell 585-313-8912
fax 315-536-5117
email Judson

Katie Sheehan-Lopez

Farm to School Coordinator, Upper Hudson Valley

phone 845-340-3990 x334
email Katie

Savanna Shelnutt

Ag Climate Resiliency Specialist

cell 518-651-9617
email Savanna

Anya Stansell

WNY Small Fruit Specialist

cell 607-752-2793
email Anya

Daniela Vergara

Emerging Crops Specialist

Cornell AgriTech
Geneva, NY

cell 812-219-0172
email Daniela

Air-Pruned Raised Bed Workshop Series

April 23, 2026
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Brooklyn, NY

Join Connor Youngerman of Cornell Small Farms and the team at The Opportunity Hub for a hands-on, train-the-trainer workshop introducing Air-Pruned Raised Beds (APRBs) from construction to implementation. Designed to equip forestry practitioners, educators, and community leaders with the skills to replicate this model. This session will cover APRB design, recommended urban tree species, installation techniques, and basic troubleshooting. Participants will not only learn the fundamentals of APRBs as a tool for growing a diverse range of urban tree species but will also gain the knowledge and confidence to teach others how to build and manage them. 

Air-Pruned Raised Beds 101

April 24, 2026
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Upper Manhattan, NY

Join Connor Youngerman of Cornell Small Farms and NYRP's Parks & Urban Agriculture teams for an introduction to Air-Pruned Raised Beds (APRBs) from construction to implementation. APRBs have been shown as an excellent method for growing a suite of urban tree species and hold great promise as a tool for forestry practitioners in NYC. This workshop will explore the in's and outs, including design, appropriate tree species, and basic troubleshooting (i.e. weeding). Participants will also get to help build and plant out two APRBs at NYRP's field facility.

Air-Pruned Raised Bed Workshop

April 25, 2026
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Bronx, NY

Join Connor Youngerman of Cornell Small Farms and the team at Riverdale Country School for a hands-on, train-the-trainer workshop introducing Air-Pruned Raised Beds (APRBs) from construction to implementation. Designed to equip forestry practitioners, educators, and community leaders with the skills to replicate this model. This session will cover APRB design, recommended urban tree species, installation techniques, and basic troubleshooting. Participants will not only learn the fundamentals of APRBs as a tool for growing a diverse range of urban tree species, but will also gain the knowledge and confidence to teach others how to build and manage them.

NOTE: Registration is required for this workshop. Attendance will be capped at 25 people.

Community Garden Leadership Program - Application Open Now!

The Cornell Community Garden Leadership Program is a year-long online program that prepares individuals to enhance their leadership skills to strengthen community gardens throughout New York State. The program equips community gardeners with management best practices and operational skills to improve garden sustainability. The program also connects gardeners to regional resources, professional development opportunities, and a statewide community garden leadership network.

Register for a virtual information session to learn more about the program and discover if this program is the right fit for you. Each information session is typically 45min-1hr.

Session Dates: 

Community Gardens Soil Testing Program Accepting Applications

Soil testing supports the growth and expansion of community gardens by protecting the health and safety of the food produced in these gardens. CCE Harvest NY, in partnership with the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets (AGM) and the Cornell Soil Health Lab, is offering eligible, food-producing gardens in New York State the opportunity to send soil samples for testing without charge.

The soil test will analyze samples for heavy metals and nutrient levels. Test results help gardeners make appropriate plans to produce high quality fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Technical support and education for participating growers will be available from the CCE Harvest New York team. Learn more about the 2026 Community Gardens Soil Testing Program.