Cornell Farm to School Program

Becky O'Connor, Farm to School Coordinator, WNY & Finger Lakes
Harvest New York

Last Modified: November 14, 2024

The Cornell Farm to School Program provides comprehensive support to Farm to School stakeholders, including School Food Authorities, farmers, distributors, manufacturers, processors, and food hubs. The primary goal of the program is to increase the volume and variety of local farm products purchased by SFAs for use in child nutrition programs.

To achieve this goal, Harvest NY developed a plan of work centered on the following three objectives:

  1. Provide direct support to supply chain partners.
  2. Provide statewide support via resource development, training, and technical assistance to supply chain partners.
  3. Strengthen campus-to-community connections by identifying and developing opportunities for applied Farm to School research.

What we do:

  • Find local food and farm partners
  • Work with supply chain partners on logistics, including delivery
  • Develop local food procurement plans
  • Assist with bid development that favors local foods
  • Establish Farm to School promotional campaigns, like NY Thursdays and Harvest NY
  • Assist with securing grants to expand Farm to School programming
  • Support 30% NY Initiative tracking and documentation requirements


The Cornell Farm to School Program includes 7 Regional Procurement Specialists, an Education Specialist, and a Program Lead:


Statewide Program Lead | Cheryl Bilinski: cbt32@cornell.edu | (607) 592-9507

The counties listed under each Regional Coordinator are loose boundaries. If you'd like assistance and fall outside the stated counties, please reach out to Cheryl for assistance. 


Education Specialist | Kate Preston: kep98@cornell.edu | (607) 788-4188

Kate works to strengthen Farm to School collaborations among cafeterias, classrooms, and communities.


Lower Hudson Valley | Putnam, Rockland, Orange, and Westchester Counties

Kristy Apostolides: kda4@cornell.edu | (845) 429-7085, ext. 106

 

Upper Hudson Valley | Sullivan, Ulster, Dutchess, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, and Delaware Counties

Katie Sheehan-Lopez: kms369@cornell.edu | (845) 340-3990, ext. 334


Western NY | Erie, Chautauqua, Allegany, Genesee, Wyoming, Orleans, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, and Yates Counties

Becky O'Connor: rao84@cornell.edu | (845) 706-0293

 

Long Island | Suffolk and Nassau Counties

Amy Bly: ab2353@cornell.edu | (631) 827-1015

 

Central NY | Oswego, Onondaga, Cayuga, Oneida, Herkimer, Madison, Cortland, and Tompkins Counties

Lizzy Cooper: ec795@cornell.edu | (315) 630-0405


North Country | Franklin, Clinton, Essex, Lewis, Jefferson, and St Lawrence Counties 

Meghan Dohman: meb377@cornell.edu | (518) 791-1888

 

New York City | SJ Whelan: sw954@cornell.edu | (929) 895-2257



Cornell Farm to School Program Map (jpg; 1839KB)


view calendar of events

Upcoming Events

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. 

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 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.