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

Vicki Giarratano

Assistant Director for Food Systems

view details about Vicki

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

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

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

Sara Jean (SJ) Peterson

Farm to School Coordinator, New York City

view details about Sara Jean (SJ)

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

2026 Rochester Urban Agriculture Conference

March 21, 2026
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Rochester, NY

Join us for our annual Rochester Urban Agriculture Conference, a day of learning and connections featuring interactive workshops, community knowledge sharing, Fruition's Gift of Seed Experience, horticulture tables and displays, and more!

El Camino del Micelio: Cultivo de Hongos en la Primavera

April 4, 2026
10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Manhattan, NY

Aprende a cultivar hongos de forma sencilla en tu huerto comunitario esta primavera con los equipos de Cornell Co-op Extension y GreenThumb. En este taller para principiantes y para cualquier persona interesada, Yolanda Gonzalez y Karen Guzman explorar?¡n cómo los hongos pueden apoyar la salud del suelo, cerrar ciclos de nutrientes y ofrecer alimentos nutritivos para tu comunidad. Practicaremos dos técnicas para cultivar setas en bolsas o camas de cultivo con materiales accesibles, y conversaremos sobre cómo integrar el cultivo de hongos en proyectos de huertos comunitarios.

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. 

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.