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
Kyle Karnuta
Urban Ag Curriculum Development Specialist
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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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Savanna Shelnutt
Ag Climate Resiliency Specialist
Areas of Interest: integrated grazing systems and soil carbon sequestration
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
Earth Day Garden Workshop
April 20, 2026
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Farmingdale, NY
Celebrate Earth Day and welcome the growing season by learning how to make the most of your space as spring wakes up the garden. Join Cornell Urban Garden Specialist Karen Guzman for an interactive, hands-on session focused on building strong foundations for a productive year. This workshop will cover the state-wide soil testing program and why soil health is essential for long-term success, along with strategic crop planning techniques that help increase productivity and maximize the space in your garden. 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.Announcements
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:
- April 9 at 10am
- April 14 at 12pm
- April 22 at 5:30pm
- May 7 at 12pm
- May 11 at 5:30pm
**Please note: the program application closes on June 15th and will be sent to all who register for an information session.
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.