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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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: NYC urban gardening, cover crops, compost management, IPM

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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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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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Sara Jean (SJ) Whelan

Farm to School Coordinator, New York City

view details about Sara Jean (SJ)

Community Garden Leadership Program Information Session - June 4

June 4, 2025
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

The Community Garden Leadership Program is an online program that prepares individuals to enhance their leadership skills to strengthen community gardens throughout New York State. You will learn management best practices and operational skills. It is a year-long program requiring participants to meet as a cohort each month and connect with experienced professional, subject matter experts, and faculty to foster a supportive distance learning experience.

To learn more about the program, we are offering virtual informational sessions in June!

Intercropping with Mushrooms

June 8, 2025
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Bronx, NY

Join us for an afternoon of hands-on learning at Morning Glory! This free community workshop, led by Urban Agriculture Specialists Karen Guzman and Yolanda Gonzalez from Cornell Cooperative Extension, is perfect for anyone looking to diversify their garden harvest by interplanting with mushrooms. Learn how to maximize your garden space with small-scale techniques to increase productivity. You'll get guidance on growing three different types of mushrooms, from site selection to harvest. A food demo from a local chef will also explore the versatility of cooking with mushrooms! 

Community Garden Leadership Program Information Session - June 12

June 12, 2025
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

The Community Garden Leadership Program is an online program that prepares individuals to enhance their leadership skills to strengthen community gardens throughout New York State. You will learn management best practices and operational skills. It is a year-long program requiring participants to meet as a cohort each month and connect with experienced professional, subject matter experts, and faculty to foster a supportive distance learning experience.

To learn more about the program, we are offering virtual informational sessions in June!

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.