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 |
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.
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.
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.
Nat Hughes has been fundraising for food systems organizations for the past ten years, and is currently the Grants Manager at National Young Farmers Coalition. As a cyclist, snowboarder, and rock climber, they are an avid outdoor enthusiast dedicated to environmental justice and sustainability. They lead bike rides with the Radical Adventure Riders Finger Lakes Chapter, a group that promotes gender inclusivity and racial equity in the cycling community. They love to travel for new outdoor adventures and have a surprisingly extensive repertoire of dad jokes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Nat Hughes has been fundraising for food systems organizations for the past ten years, and is currently the Grants Manager at National Young Farmers Coalition. As a cyclist, snowboarder, and rock climber, they are an avid outdoor enthusiast dedicated to environmental justice and sustainability. They lead bike rides with the Radical Adventure Riders Finger Lakes Chapter, a group that promotes gender inclusivity and racial equity in the cycling community. They love to travel for new outdoor adventures and have a surprisingly extensive repertoire of dad jokes.
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.
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.
The Youth Farm Board of Directors is looking to recruit individuals with a strong anti-racism commitment and fundraising or grant writing skills.
Interested in joining our Board of Directors ? Fill out this form
Interested in joining our Board of Directors ? Fill out this form