The Harvest New York Specialists cover multiple regions within New York State. The Specialists work in close consultation with Cornell faculty members, local and regional Extension staff, and grower groups, bringing new information and resources to areas with growth potential.

Sam Anderson

Urban Agriculture Specialist

Areas of Interest: urban agriculture, IPM, soil management

view details about Sam

Kristy Apostolides

Farm to School Coordinator, Lower Hudson Valley

view details about Kristy

Cheryl Bilinski

Local Food Systems Specialist, Farm to School Lead

Areas of Interest: farm to institution, supply chain development, farm-based beverages

view details about Cheryl

Amy Bly

Farm to School Coordinator, Long Island

view details about Amy

Lizzy Cooper

Farm to School Coordinator, Central NY

view details about Lizzy

Meghan Dohman

Farm to School Coordinator, North Country

view details about Meghan

Makela Elvy

Urban Garden Leadership Curriculum Specialist

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

view details about Makela

Yolanda Gonzalez

Urban Agriculture Specialist

Areas of Interest: urban agriculture, marketing, mushroom production

view details about Yolanda

Karen Guzman

Urban Gardens Specialist

Areas of Interest: community gardens, IPM, native plants, sustainable growing methods

view details about Karen

Mallory Hohl

Urban Gardens Specialist

Areas of Interest: nutrition, farm to school initiatives, youth engagement, local food systems, WNY urban gardens

view details about Mallory

Kwesi Joseph

Urban Gardens Specialist

Areas of Interest: NYC urban gardening, cover crops, compost management, IPM

view details about Kwesi

Kyle Karnuta

Urban Ag Curriculum Development Specialist

view details about Kyle

Lori Koenick

Extension Support Specialist

Areas of Interest: mushrooms, urban agriculture, fresh market vegetables

view details about Lori

Bridget O'Brien Wood

Buffalo Farm Shares Coordinator

view details about Bridget

Becky O'Connor

Farm to School Coordinator, WNY & Finger Lakes

view details about Becky

Kitty O'Neil

Ag Climate Resiliency Specialist

Areas of Interest: soil health

view details about Kitty

Lindsey Pashow

Ag Business Development & Marketing Specialist

Areas of Interest: agritourism, marketing, craft beverage industry, produce auctions

view details about Lindsey

Kate Preston

Farm to School Education Specialist

view details about Kate

Judson Reid

Extension Vegetable Specialist, Team Leader

Areas of Interest: greenhouse production, small farming operations, produce auctions

view details about Judson

Katie Sheehan-Lopez

Farm to School Coordinator, Upper Hudson Valley

view details about Katie

Savanna Shelnutt

Ag Climate Resiliency Specialist

Areas of Interest: integrated grazing systems and soil carbon sequestration

view details about Savanna

Anya Stansell

WNY Small Fruit Specialist

view details about Anya

Daniela Vergara

Emerging Crops Specialist

Areas of Interest: hemp, hops, new crops to NYS

view details about Daniela

Sara Jean (SJ) Whelan

Farm to School Coordinator, New York City

view details about Sara Jean (SJ)

No upcoming events at this time.

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.

New York Urban Farms Sustainable Pest Management Fact Sheet Series

Cornell Cooperative Extension has partnered with dozens of urban farms across New York State to demonstrate and evaluate sustainable pest management strategies. Together with farmers, we found success using control methods that prevent or reduce crop losses through exclusion strategies, crop timing, host resistance, the introduction of beneficial organisms, and more. Regardless of management strategy used, common requirements for success include a knowledge of the pest and disease complex, preventative deployment and commitment to the process. The New York Urban Farms Sustainable Pest Management Fact Sheet Series includes case studies highlighting pest management techniques that New York urban farms have found valuable.