Hi, I’m Martha.
Educator, Farmer (on hiatus), Organizer.
I am a plant-enthusiast with a deep-rooted passion for food systems justice and a personal mission to develop sustainable, cooperative communities in New York State. As an educator and farmer, I have taught gardening classes and created garden-based learning curricula for youth and adults across the state. As an organizer, I have led mutual aid initiatives in LI and coordinated community-based environmental justice events upstate. As a forever student, I have earned a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University’s School of Integrative Plant Sciences and enrolled in NYU Steinhardt’s Food Studies Master of Arts program.
I have many stories to tell of cultivated relationships, growing understanding, and seeded interests that have blossomed into passions. On this site, I share the most notable, fruitful experiences that have enabled these passions to take root and soon after, thrive.
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Recent Experiences
My Qualifications
August 2021 - Present
Membership Coordinator | Black Farmers United of New York State (BFU-NYS)
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Crafts and implements a membership recruitment, onboarding, and engagement processes
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Develops and ensures adherence to internal policies
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Creates organization communications (e.g., letters, newsletters, social media posts, advocacy materials)
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Co-leads fundraising initatives (e.g., grantwriting)
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Represents BFU-NYS in interviews, events, and other speaking engagements
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Coordinates all membership meetings
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Creates and facilitates strategic planning processes and development of organizational structure
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Leads the creation and implementation of hiring processes
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Co-develops advocacy initiatives with members and partners
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Organizes members events and other opportunities
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Edits and maintains website
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Liaises between lobbyists, members, and partners
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Provides other administrative and technical duties
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Offers ongoing support to other miscellaneous tasks and projects as needed
May 2020 - Present
Farmer Training Program Advisory Committee Member | Groundswell Center for Local Food and Farming
Committees: Curriculum Development and Recruitment Strategy
Engages in periodic meetings
Determines program structure with fellow board members
Summer 2021, 2022
Freelance Ag Educator | ReWild Long Island
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Developed and taught hands-on lessons on farming and food justice in person and virtually
March 2021 - September 2021
Farm Educator & Community Liaison | Orkestai Farm
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Created and implemented curricula on no-till, organic agriculture for neurodiverse adults
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Performed regular farm maintenance activities: plant propagation and greenhouse management; water, nutrient, soil, weed, and pest management; produce harvesting and processing; minor irrigation plumbing repairs and carpentry
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Crafted and implemented social media content and strategies
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Cultivated relationships between the farm and potential partners
My Stories
Contact
ATTENTION: If you would like to learn more about or discuss BFU-NYS, do not use this form. Please use the contact information provided on the organization's website. Thank you!