Specialists
Sam Anderson
Urban Agriculture Specialist
Areas of Interest: urban agriculture, IPM, soil management
Kristy Apostolides
Farm to School Coordinator, Lower Hudson Valley
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Cheryl Bilinski
Local Food Systems Specialist, Farm to School Lead
Areas of Interest: farm to institution, supply chain development, farm-based beverages
Amy Bly
Farm to School Coordinator, Long Island
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Lizzy Cooper
Farm to School Coordinator, Central NY
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Meghan Dohman
Farm to School Coordinator, North Country
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Makela Elvy
Urban Garden Leadership Curriculum Specialist
Areas of Interest: NYC community garden leadership, soil health, and composting
Vicki Giarratano
Assistant Director for Food Systems
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Yolanda Gonzalez
Urban Agriculture Specialist
Areas of Interest: urban agriculture, marketing, mushroom production
Karen Guzman
Urban Gardens Specialist
Areas of Interest: community gardens, IPM, native plants, sustainable growing methods
Mallory Hohl
Urban Gardens Specialist
Areas of Interest: nutrition, farm to school initiatives, youth engagement, local food systems, WNY urban gardens
Kwesi Joseph
Urban Gardens Specialist
Areas of Interest: project management, garden design, rock dust, biochar, soil health and plant nutrient density
Lori Koenick
Extension Support Specialist
Areas of Interest: mushrooms, urban agriculture, fresh market vegetables
Becky O'Connor
Farm to School Coordinator, WNY & Finger Lakes
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Kitty O'Neil
Ag Climate Resiliency Specialist
Areas of Interest: soil health
Lindsey Pashow
Ag Business Development & Marketing Specialist
Areas of Interest: agritourism, marketing, craft beverage industry, produce auctions
Sara Jean (SJ) Peterson
Farm to School Coordinator, New York City
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Kate Preston
Farm to School Education Specialist
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Judson Reid
Extension Vegetable Specialist, Team Leader
Areas of Interest: greenhouse production, small farming operations, produce auctions
Katie Sheehan-Lopez
Farm to School Coordinator, Upper Hudson Valley
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Anya Stansell
WNY Small Fruit Specialist
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Daniela Vergara
Emerging Crops Specialist
Areas of Interest: hemp, hops, new crops to NYS
Upcoming Events
Webinar: Impact of Microclimates on NYC Urban Ag
May 13, 2026
12:00 noon - 1:00 PM
Hear from Dan Olmstead of Cornell IPM on how NYC's microclimates differ from Borough to Borough and their impact on resilience planning. We will also be discussing the data collected from weather stations across urban gardens in the city.Webinar: Biochar Applications on Urban Farms
June 10, 2026
12:00 noon - 1:00 PM
Hear from Deborah Aller, Cornell, about biochar applications on urban farms and its ability to act as a tool for soil health and climate mitigation. We will also be discussing the mission behind New York Center for Organics Recycling and Education (NYCORE).Announcements
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.