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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Briana joined the board because she struggled as a young person and thinks that if she had access to an organization like YFP it would have helped. She believes in the support and learning opportunities that YFP provides our youth and community.
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Briana Alfaro is a multiracial, Mexican and Indigenous gardener who grew up in the beautiful Kumeyaay valley known as Escondido, CA. Her passion for land stewardship and agriculture is rooted in an enthusiasm for food, gardening, and cooking; in the experience of her ancestors as campesino farmers; and in a love of nature cultivated by family camping trips as a child. In addition to 20+ years of restaurant and farm experience, she has worked with National Young Farmers Coalition, Northeast Organic Farming Association of NY, and San Diego Food System Alliance. She holds a M.S. Food Studies from Syracuse University and a B.A. Journalism from Humboldt State University. She co-creates educational and community building offerings as Administrative Program Manager at Soul Fire Farm and lives in unceded Gayogohó:nǫ˺ territory, in downtown Ithaca, NY.
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).
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.
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).
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.
The Youth Farm Board of Directors is looking to recruit individuals with experience in legal nonprofit boards, 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