Makela Elvy

Urban Garden Leadership Curriculum Specialist

cell 347-804-5820
email Makela

Areas of Interest
NYC community garden leadership, soil health, and composting

After completing 2 years as an Urban Garden Specialist with Harvest NY, supporting gardens in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens, Makela now is serving the team as an Urban Garden Leadership Curriculum Specialist. In her new role, Makela works directly with NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets to create and implement a curriculum aimed at increasing leadership skills of community gardeners across NYS.

A native New Yorker, Makela attended DePauw University, Indiana majoring in Environmental Geoscience, and has her MS from Concordia University - Portland in Curriculum and Instruction. Makela has been involved in a number of environmental experiences in NYC, including being the Compost Outreach Coordinator at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden on Staten Island. 

Urban Farming from the Ground Up

August 10, 2026
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Bronx, NY

Join CCE Harvest NY Specialist Karen Guzman to turn a community center into an urban farm! This is an open volunteer event.

Rochester Soil Health Day

September 1, 2026
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Rochester, NY

Join Cornell Cooperative Extension Harvest NY, New York State Soil Health, and Foodlink for interactive activities focused on soil health and an opportunity to get your garden soil screened for lead (reservation required).

Resilient Gardens Conference

September 18 - September 19, 2026
Fri: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm; Sat: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Poughkeepsie, NY

The third Resilient Gardens Conference will focus on culturally relevant gardening skills and community garden management for the unique resource needs of urban gardeners. This two-day event will feature education and practical skills on day one; we'll hear from leaders of diverse stakeholder groups on strategies to overcome these issues in cities and rural communities and connecting resources between Cornell Cooperative Extension and leading community gardens. The second day is optional and will include tours of local gardening projects across Poughkeepsie and Kingston NY. 

This event is primarily open to Seed to Supper Garden Educators, CCE Educators, Master Gardener Volunteers and Upstate Seed to Supper Program Participants, as well as partner Community Gardens involved with Harvest NY.