Hi, I’m Martha.
Grower, Ag Educator, Facilitator
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.
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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.
Recent Experiences
My Qualifications
August 2021 - Present
Co-Executive Director | Black Farmers United - New York State Inc. (BFU-NYS)
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Develops and implements all non-advocacy programs, leading collaborative efforts and ensuring program compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and funder requirements and program alignment with organizational objectives and goals
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Co-leads the establishment and maintenance of critical organizational governance structures
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Cultivates and sustains relationships with NYS agriculturalists, service providers, and other diverse stakeholders
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Develops and maintains systems that support all staff in thriving in their life cycle in the organization, including internal policy creation as Human Capital lead
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Facilitates and builds productive spaces and networks for mutual aid (i.e., resource and knowledging sharing, communal infrastructure development
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Ensures the development, implementation, and maintenance of sustainable systems, internal communication programs, and other mission-aligned activities that uplift and support the work and overall well-being of the organization's members
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Collaborates with fellow Co-Executive Directors to support other organizational needs
September 2021 - August 2024
Board of Directors Member | Center for Transformative Action (CTA)
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Committees | Programming
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Engages in monthly meetings
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Reviews and makes decisions about whether to approve fiscal sponsorship applications with fellow board members
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Organizes skill shares and other learning opportunities for CTA projects
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 |Â 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!