
Karen Guzman
Urban Gardens Specialistcell 929-468-5179
email Karen
Areas of Interest
community gardens, IPM, native plants, sustainable growing methods
A native New Yorker, Karen attended CUNY Hunter College, studying in Environmental Science, and received her Horticulture certificate from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. For the 6 years prior to joining the CCE Harvest NY team, Karen worked all over NYC on urban farms, most recently as the Farm Manager at the Queens Botanical Garden. She also worked with a few other notable organizations such as Brooklyn Grange, the Queens County Farm Museum, and GrowNYC.
In her new role as an Urban Garden Specialist, Karen will be supporting gardens in the Bronx, Staten Island, and Queens, providing technical assistance and educational resources aimed at increasing community building, nutrition awareness, and sustainable growing methods.
Announcements
New Produce Auctions in NYS!
Two new produce auctions are now open in New York State, bringing the total number of auctions to 10! See the new map of produce auction locations across the state and contact information.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 provided by the CCE Harvest New York team. Learn more about the 2025 Community Gardens Soil Testing Program.