Joseph Amsili is an Ithaca native and Lehman Alternative Community School graduate who has been involved on and off at the Youth Farm Project since 2011. He worked both as a crew leader and assistant farm manager at YFP in the “early years” and has fond memories working with youth on the farm. Now, Joseph is an Extension Associate with the New York Soil Health Initiative based at Cornell University where he works to coordinate outreach and applied research on practices that improve the health of the soil. Joseph brings his love for the Youth Farm Project, young people growing food, soils and agriculture, and social justice in Tompkins County to the YFP Board. And he encourages you to come out and lend a hand at one of YFP’s monthly Saturday Work parties (to volunteer apply here).
Julia de Aragón is a lifelong Ithacan, and works to conserve and protect our wild spaces at the Finger Lakes Land Trust. She holds an M.Ed in Community Development & Action from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University, with a particular interest in the intersections of urban design, community, and food justice. She has maintained a joyful and evolving relationship with the Youth Farm Project for over 10 years, including conducting her Master's research in partnership with the organization. Julia believes in strong community ties, uplifting human connection through good food and music, and sticking your hands in the soil whenever possible. As a white Puerto Rican woman raised on the traditional lands of the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ, she is invested in leveraging her identity to carve out spaces of joy and connection for all youth, specifically grounded in land stewardship and food sovereignty. Now settled back in Ithaca, she also sits on the board of the Latino Civic Association of Tompkins County, and can be found drinking too much tea and planting too many flowers as soon as the soil thaws.
Audrey Baker started working with the Youth Farm Project in 2016, when YFP expanded to include additional programming such as elementary school field trips. She first approached YFP to work together while running another school food production and educational farm, because of a deep respect for their passion for social justice in the food system; that respect has only deepened since. Audrey has over a decade of experience designing and teaching food-based curricula for youth of all ages and for adults, teaching hands-on lessons in elementary schools, youth detention centers and prisons, and on farms. Audrey is now on staff with Cornell University's Master of Public Health Program, where she supports students in their field work experiences, among other hats. Audrey is also the former director of the Fresh Snack Program in Ithaca City Schools.
Ezra Baptist has lived in Ithaca since he was two years old and has been involved with the Youth Farm Program since 2017. He has worked in our Teen Summer Program as a crew member and a crew leader. He was also coordinator for the Social Justice Immersion program where he taught about farming, race, justice, philosophy and self-governance. He hopes to pass on what he learned to the next generation of Youth Farm Project leaders.
Amanda David is a community herbalist, the mother of three amazing children, and the creator of Rootwork Herbals and the many initiatives that are a part of that container. She tends plants and people growing gardens, handcrafting remedies, offering consultations and teaching. Her approach to herbalism is based in the ways of her ancestors, building intimate relationships with the plants that grow nearby in order to bring herbal medicine and home healthcare to the people. In doing this, she sees herbalism as a means to support life and thus resist against oppressive systems, which undermine health. Above all, Amanda is a lover of plants and a lover of people and is passionate about bringing them together in a down to earth, joyful and accessible way that promotes personal and planetary healing.
Dan Flerlage has been a part of the Youth Farm Project since its inception. During the summer of 2008, students enrolled in Dan's Localvores and Ecology courses at the Lehman Alternative Community School decided to volunteer over the summer on a number of local vegetable farms, choosing to take action on some of the ideas concerning sustainable food systems that were developed in those courses. Those summer experiences fostered a year of planning among a core group of both current and former students which culminated with the launch of the Youth Farm Project that following summer. Since that time, Dan has been involved with whatever seemed needed as the Youth Farm programming has evolved: working as a farm hand with kids during summer programs, helping create curriculum, Teaching workshops, hosting school groups, and fundraising. Dan is currently co-chair of the farm's legal board. He sees the Youth Farm as a unique place where diverse groups of local youth are able to learn about and experience their own capacity to create positive change in their community. He continues to be inspired by the ongoing evolution of the Youth Farm Project, evolution created by the diverse perspectives and ideas of the youth themselves and the commitment, insight, and creativity of the incredible staff who have joined the effort over the years.
Steve Gabriel currently splits his time between being a researcher/educator with the Cornell Small Farms Program and stewarding Wellspring Forest Farm with his partner Elizabeth and son Aydin. He believes strongly in connection to the natural world and in stewardship of the land through farming, which are both critical skills and ethics to pass on to future generations. Steve Gabriel: Farmer; Author; Cornell University Small Farms.
Ray Hage is an Ithaca transplant who previously taught high school biology and chemistry. Now working at Cornell and holding a M.S. in College Student Personnel Services, he advises Ithaca middle/high school students who have been intentionally marginalized from higher education and STEM careers. He aims to help students achieve their goals by supporting them academically, guiding their research of post-secondary opportunities, facilitating internship and job placements, and fostering a sense of belonging. One of his greatest passions is creating spaces of radical joy for youth and prioritizing their holistic wellbeing through abolitionist social and emotional learning. He enjoys supporting the implementation of Youth Farm programming where teens build community, learn about land and food sovereignty, and develop skills in social justice activism.
Keeli Manning is an Events Specialist and artist living in Trumansburg NY. Born and bred in Ithaca she knew it was where she wanted to return and set down roots after spending 25 years in the natural foods industry. An advocate for cultural and economic diversity in the natural foods space, Keeli was at the forefront of the rapid changes in the industry that is built on the labor of those that grow food and medicine. As an events coordinator her work reflects her creativity and community involvement. She believes that advocating for a better and more just world depends on her direct involvement and putting her specific skills to supporting our youth.
Lisa Marsella is the Director of Operations of the Center for Transformative Action, a Cornell affiliate and fiscal sponsor to more than thirty projects across New York State. Previously Lisa worked as a manager at GreenStar Cooperative Market. She holds a B.S. in Business, Management & Economics with a concentration in Accounting. Lisa was a member of the Catholic Worker community in Washington D.C. and co-founder of a rural Catholic Worker farm in Goochland, VA. Lisa has passions for social justice, the natural world, mentoring, writing, and her two beautiful children.
Coralee McNee was born and raised on the pacific coast, Coralee is the owner of her graphic design and illustration business in Trumansburg where she collaborates with book shops, architects, and social justice organizations. She holds a master of science in Materials Science and Engineering from Washington State University and received a bachelor of science in the same field from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. For her, a full expression of our innate sovereignty begins in healing our relationship to the land and honoring the daily ritual of gathering for meals. Passionate about anti-racist organizing, land reform, and food sovereignty, she’s worked alongside Tompkins County Showing Up for Racial Justice, No Más Lágrimas, and the Friends of the ATC. Coralee has taken classes in soil science, artisanal bread making, agroecology, and (a personal favorite) Disobedience School.
Julia de Aragón is a lifelong Ithacan, and works to conserve and protect our wild spaces at the Finger Lakes Land Trust. She holds an M.Ed in Community Development & Action from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University, with a particular interest in the intersections of urban design, community, and food justice. She has maintained a joyful and evolving relationship with the Youth Farm Project for over 10 years, including conducting her Master's research in partnership with the organization. Julia believes in strong community ties, uplifting human connection through good food and music, and sticking your hands in the soil whenever possible. As a white Puerto Rican woman raised on the traditional lands of the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ, she is invested in leveraging her identity to carve out spaces of joy and connection for all youth, specifically grounded in land stewardship and food sovereignty. Now settled back in Ithaca, she also sits on the board of the Latino Civic Association of Tompkins County, and can be found drinking too much tea and planting too many flowers as soon as the soil thaws.
Audrey Baker started working with the Youth Farm Project in 2016, when YFP expanded to include additional programming such as elementary school field trips. She first approached YFP to work together while running another school food production and educational farm, because of a deep respect for their passion for social justice in the food system; that respect has only deepened since. Audrey has over a decade of experience designing and teaching food-based curricula for youth of all ages and for adults, teaching hands-on lessons in elementary schools, youth detention centers and prisons, and on farms. Audrey is now on staff with Cornell University's Master of Public Health Program, where she supports students in their field work experiences, among other hats. Audrey is also the former director of the Fresh Snack Program in Ithaca City Schools.
Ezra Baptist has lived in Ithaca since he was two years old and has been involved with the Youth Farm Program since 2017. He has worked in our Teen Summer Program as a crew member and a crew leader. He was also coordinator for the Social Justice Immersion program where he taught about farming, race, justice, philosophy and self-governance. He hopes to pass on what he learned to the next generation of Youth Farm Project leaders.
Amanda David is a community herbalist, the mother of three amazing children, and the creator of Rootwork Herbals and the many initiatives that are a part of that container. She tends plants and people growing gardens, handcrafting remedies, offering consultations and teaching. Her approach to herbalism is based in the ways of her ancestors, building intimate relationships with the plants that grow nearby in order to bring herbal medicine and home healthcare to the people. In doing this, she sees herbalism as a means to support life and thus resist against oppressive systems, which undermine health. Above all, Amanda is a lover of plants and a lover of people and is passionate about bringing them together in a down to earth, joyful and accessible way that promotes personal and planetary healing.
Dan Flerlage has been a part of the Youth Farm Project since its inception. During the summer of 2008, students enrolled in Dan's Localvores and Ecology courses at the Lehman Alternative Community School decided to volunteer over the summer on a number of local vegetable farms, choosing to take action on some of the ideas concerning sustainable food systems that were developed in those courses. Those summer experiences fostered a year of planning among a core group of both current and former students which culminated with the launch of the Youth Farm Project that following summer. Since that time, Dan has been involved with whatever seemed needed as the Youth Farm programming has evolved: working as a farm hand with kids during summer programs, helping create curriculum, Teaching workshops, hosting school groups, and fundraising. Dan is currently co-chair of the farm's legal board. He sees the Youth Farm as a unique place where diverse groups of local youth are able to learn about and experience their own capacity to create positive change in their community. He continues to be inspired by the ongoing evolution of the Youth Farm Project, evolution created by the diverse perspectives and ideas of the youth themselves and the commitment, insight, and creativity of the incredible staff who have joined the effort over the years.
Steve Gabriel currently splits his time between being a researcher/educator with the Cornell Small Farms Program and stewarding Wellspring Forest Farm with his partner Elizabeth and son Aydin. He believes strongly in connection to the natural world and in stewardship of the land through farming, which are both critical skills and ethics to pass on to future generations. Steve Gabriel: Farmer; Author; Cornell University Small Farms.
Ray Hage is an Ithaca transplant who previously taught high school biology and chemistry. Now working at Cornell and holding a M.S. in College Student Personnel Services, he advises Ithaca middle/high school students who have been intentionally marginalized from higher education and STEM careers. He aims to help students achieve their goals by supporting them academically, guiding their research of post-secondary opportunities, facilitating internship and job placements, and fostering a sense of belonging. One of his greatest passions is creating spaces of radical joy for youth and prioritizing their holistic wellbeing through abolitionist social and emotional learning. He enjoys supporting the implementation of Youth Farm programming where teens build community, learn about land and food sovereignty, and develop skills in social justice activism.
Keeli Manning is an Events Specialist and artist living in Trumansburg NY. Born and bred in Ithaca she knew it was where she wanted to return and set down roots after spending 25 years in the natural foods industry. An advocate for cultural and economic diversity in the natural foods space, Keeli was at the forefront of the rapid changes in the industry that is built on the labor of those that grow food and medicine. As an events coordinator her work reflects her creativity and community involvement. She believes that advocating for a better and more just world depends on her direct involvement and putting her specific skills to supporting our youth.
Lisa Marsella is the Director of Operations of the Center for Transformative Action, a Cornell affiliate and fiscal sponsor to more than thirty projects across New York State. Previously Lisa worked as a manager at GreenStar Cooperative Market. She holds a B.S. in Business, Management & Economics with a concentration in Accounting. Lisa was a member of the Catholic Worker community in Washington D.C. and co-founder of a rural Catholic Worker farm in Goochland, VA. Lisa has passions for social justice, the natural world, mentoring, writing, and her two beautiful children.
Coralee McNee was born and raised on the pacific coast, Coralee is the owner of her graphic design and illustration business in Trumansburg where she collaborates with book shops, architects, and social justice organizations. She holds a master of science in Materials Science and Engineering from Washington State University and received a bachelor of science in the same field from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. For her, a full expression of our innate sovereignty begins in healing our relationship to the land and honoring the daily ritual of gathering for meals. Passionate about anti-racist organizing, land reform, and food sovereignty, she’s worked alongside Tompkins County Showing Up for Racial Justice, No Más Lágrimas, and the Friends of the ATC. Coralee has taken classes in soil science, artisanal bread making, agroecology, and (a personal favorite) Disobedience School.
Board Spotlight
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"I've watched YFP grow from an idea to the powerhouse contributor that it is today. From seed to shelf I've seen personal growth from people that have been through the program and witnessed development from the team that puts in so much effort and work to make it a success. Anything I can do to contribute to this would be an honor. " - Keeli Manning
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