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

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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

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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

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Vicki Giarratano

Assistant Director for Food Systems

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Yolanda Gonzalez

Urban Agriculture Specialist

Areas of Interest: urban agriculture, marketing, mushroom production

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Karen Guzman

Urban Gardens Specialist

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

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Mallory Hohl

Urban Gardens Specialist

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

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Kwesi Joseph

Urban Gardens Specialist

Areas of Interest: project management, garden design, rock dust, biochar, soil health and plant nutrient density

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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

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Bridget O'Brien Wood

Buffalo Farm Shares Coordinator

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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

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Lindsey Pashow

Ag Business Development & Marketing Specialist

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

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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

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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

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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

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Companion Planting in the Food Garden--with Mushrooms!

November 12, 2025
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Brooklyn, NY

Companion planting (or intercropping) is an ancient method of increasing yields and maximizing growing space. Learn how to diversify your garden harvest while enjoying the mutual benefits of intercropping with mushrooms, such as improving soil health and water retention. Plan next spring's garden with guidance from Urban Agriculture Specialist Yolanda Gonzalez on growing three different types of mushrooms, from site selection to harvest. Take home a native plant to try!

NYC Mushroom Summit

December 5, 2025
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
New York, NY

The NYC Mushroom Summit, hosted by the Cornell Small Farms Program, will convene a regional network of mushroom farmers and educators from indoor, outdoor, and community production systems; restaurateurs, food creatives and chefs; and extension, government and industry representatives. This diverse group will work together to determine grower research and marketing needs, interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities, and community building initiatives. Group conversations and presentations will be structured around value added products, frontiers in mycology research, and peer-to-peer learning.

Pruning & Fruit Tree Health 101

December 13, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Cambria Heights, NY

Join us at Cambria Heights Community Garden for a free, hands-on workshop with CCE Harvest NY Urban Garden Specialist Karen Guzman. Participants will learn about basic tree maintenance and pruning techniques. Proper winter care helps trees conserve energy, prevent damage from cold weather, and prepare for growth in the spring.  

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.