Introducing the Anne Saxelby Legacy Fund 2023 Class
These young adults will travel to sustainable farms for fully paid one month apprenticeships starting in the coming weeks. We are so excited for them to share their experiences and incredible voices with the world! And we are proud to see Anne’s energy live on through these adventures. Thank you for making ASLF possible with your donations and support.
Abigail Greendyk (she/her)
Temple University
New Leaf Agriculture
I am from Austin, TX, currently studying Environmental Studies and Spanish at TU. I grew up exploring the outdoors and am now eager to connect more physically with the land around me as I learn more about reciprocal relationships in our ecosystems. I am passionate about environmental education and hope to share what I learn through ASLF with those around me.
Alex Ramirez (he/they)
Upward Elementary School, 3rd Grade Teacher
Winona's Hemp & Heritage Farm
I was born and raised in Western NC. My family is from Los Angeles, CA, and Morelos, Mexico. I'm currently a 3rd-grade teacher and have a passion for education and schools. From this experience, I want to grow my skills as a farmer and see how it can be transferred in the classroom and school. Also, I want to learn about herbalism and plant medicine to implement in my daily life.
Alexa Pritchard (she/her)
Santa Clara University
Florence Fang Community Farm
I am Alexa Pritchard and am a junior at Santa Clara University studying Communications, Political Science, and Sustainability. During my freshman year of COVID, I worked on regenerative farms and land restoration projects in Central Maui, learning about my love for working outside and food systems within other cultures. Since then, I commit most of my time to the community garden on my school’s campus and work with a non-profit called Plant With Purpose! I am so thankful for the Anne Saxelby Legacy Fund for giving me the opportunity to work with Florence Fang Community Farm in San Francisco this summer.
Allison Sirota (she/her)
Brooklyn Nature Days, Lead Forest Teacher
Ohio City Farm
I am an artist and nature educator living and working in Brooklyn, NY! Day-to-day, I teach year-round all-outdoor forest school classes in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, I also help two Hudson Valley farmers run a weekend market, and I make clothing and furniture in my free time. I love being outside, riding my bike, and cooking up a good meal. I am spending the summer at Ohio City Farm and could not be more thrilled!
Alyssa Thibodeau (she/her)
Oregon State University
Jasper Hill Farm
My name is Alyssa Thibodeau, I am originally from the desert in Mesa, Arizona. I am currently a graduate student at Oregon State University studying Food Science, with my research focused in dairy and fermentation sciences. I am a single mother, non-traditional and first-generation college student, and identify as Chicana. My experience working in the dairy industry started in 2017 when I was pregnant with my daughter. Ever since, I have been fascinated with the composition of milk and look forward to my career in dairy, working to enhance the education, safety, and sustainability of the industry. My goal is to one day have a farmstead creamery making mixed and raw milk cheeses. My hobbies include fermenting and cooking, milking animals, gardening, martial arts, practicing herbalism, and spending time with my family.
Anaya Harry (she/her)
University of North Carolina at Asheville
Southside Community Farm
I am a student at UNC Asheville double majoring in Biology and Health & Wellness Promotion with a concentration in plants. I am extremely passionate about ways to encourage healthy eating habits in communities that are often neglected and left to fend for themselves with unhealthy resources. I plan to one day have a career where I have a direct impact in helping communities that do not get enough support by creating more access to a farm-to-table lifestyle. I’m so excited for this experience and how it will help me help others in my future career!
Anna Hsu (she/her)
Tufts University
Queens County Farm Museum
Anna Hsu is a senior at the Bronx High School of Science and will be attending Tufts University in the fall. During high school Anna discovered her interest in sustainability through the Bronx Science Green Team, and now, as president of the team of students and teachers, spearheads the sustainability movement at Bronx Science. She has developed an interest in making tangible change within her community and is thrilled to contribute to her own neighborhood through working at Queens County Farm Museum this summer! Anna is intrigued to learn more about the role of small farms and sustainable agriculture in combating the climate crisis.
Annabel Nied (they/them)
Tufts University
Rogue Creamery
Annabel is a student entering their final year at Tufts University where they study Environmental Studies on the Food Systems and Nutrition track as well as Studio Art. They are passionate about building sustainable foodways and supporting small farms. They are a student and an artist, and they look forward to continuing their studies by putting their academic work into context.
August Lange (they/them)
Columbia University
Brooklyn Grange
I’m thrilled to be doing ASLF for the summer of 2023. I am at college in NYC and grew up in Brooklyn. I worked on the student farm at UC Santa Cruz where I transferred from and studied agroecology. I am interested in regenerative agriculture and the future of food systems and access. I look forward to getting a chance to finally farm in BK. In my free time I tend to rock climb, read, cook meals with friends, and bike around.
Bob Sutherland (he/him)
University of Cambridge
Neal’s Yard Dairy
I am a history student from London, currently studying at the University of Cambridge. I have always had a love for exploring food in all its guises, especially cheese - what started as an appreciation for eating has developed into a desire to learn as much as possible about the industry, in the hope of working in it as my career. Having worked at restaurants which emphasize ethical sourcing, I learned how buying from and supporting small, sustainable producers is. The Anne Saxelby Legacy Fund is giving me a chance to learn even more about the world of British cheese, as I can learn skills that can help me give back to my community and enrich the cheese landscape. Through this opportunity, where I will be introduced to a variety of career paths, I hope to learn what suits me best and where my future in the cheese industry will take me.
Cameron Mo (he/him)
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Queens County Farm Museum
Cameron, a rising freshman at SUNY ESF, is undecided on his major but is interested in aquatic and fisheries science or forestry science. He has a strong passion for sustainability and took up gardening during the pandemic, sparking his interest in researching sustainable alternatives for urban farming and aquaculture. In his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball, baking, and cooking. He is excited to join the Queens County Farm Museum this summer to further explore sustainable agriculture.
Carrie Stenerson (they/them)
Wisconsin Cheesemonger
Firefly Farms
I am a Wisconsin cheesemonger and cheese advocate relocating to Chicago this summer with my partner and our 2 dogs. My love of all things cheese and bringing community together through good food drew me to ASLF, and I cannot wait to learn more about cheesemaking and sustainable practices across this adventure. My current work aims to offer a ‘behind-the-counter’ view to make the cheese world more accessible, and in turn, I look forward to sharing new insights.
Caterra Cornejo (they/she)
Community Herbalist
Southside Community Farm
Caterra is a mixed non-binary artist and plant lover living on unceded Kumeyaay territory. Their work in and out of the fields focuses on increasing access to culturally relevant food, medicine, and green spaces for Queer + Trans* and BIPOC. A member of the first inaugural class of the Anne Saxelby Legacy Fund, Caterra is eager to continue to broaden their knowledge and hopes to one day have a space to grow food and medicine for their community.
Hadasya Pramesti (she/her)
Trident Technical College
Deep Rooted Organics
I am originally from Indonesia but have been based in Charleston, SC since 2010. I graduated from the College of Charleston in 2021 with a degree in Biology and a minor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies. Currently, I am working at a plant nursery specializing in native plants and edible plants while also taking culinary classes at my local community college. I am interested in the relationships between food, culture, environment, and identity. I also enjoy exploring how these relationships are shaped by the agricultural and culinary worlds. In the future, I hope to grow culturally relevant crops using regenerative farming practices and cultivate a community-focused space that highlights local, seasonal ingredients and celebrates traditional foodways.
Delaney Hackett (she/her)
UVM
Urban Growers Collective
Originally from the Northern suburbs of Illinois, I am very excited to be able to work in Chicago for the summer. I am a rising sophomore at the University of Vermont pursuing a degree in Sustainability, Ecology, and Policy. Being a part of this experience is an amazing opportunity to apply what I have learned so far in a career field environment. I hope that the ASLF apprenticeship experience will allow me to be an agent of change and engage with the local community. There is so much more for me to learn about regenerative farming, sustainable food practices, and food access in an urban setting, and I am beyond excited to begin.
Illiana Pate (she/her)
John C. Campbell Folk School
Uplands Cheese
Iliana was born and raised in Sewanee, Tennessee alongside her large family and menagerie of farm animals. Growing up, she worked outdoors often through gardening and farming and always sought opportunities to adventure with her friends and family through the Appalachian mountains. After high school, Iliana attended John C. Campbell Folk School, where she furthered her knowledge and experience of craftsmanship. She hopes to carry her love of sustainability and community-led farming to a new terrain.
Jessica Romano (she/her)
New York City College of Technology
Lively Run Goat Dairy
I am a senior at City Tech college. I am majoring in Hospitality Management, and am also currently a lead pastry cook at NOBU Downtown in NYC. Throughout my studies and my internships and jobs I have been able to develop an interest in food science and food sustainability. Besides working and going to school, I enjoy taking hikes and walking the city with my dog and baking him treats! I am excited to continue my education and join the team at The Lively Run Goat Dairy, and learn how to make some goat cheese!!
Haydee Torres (she/her)
New York City College of Technology
Queens County Farm Museum
My name is Haydee Torres, I am 31 yrs old, I am a proud Latina with a Dominican and Colombian background. I am currently a senior at New York City College of Technology and will be graduating in 2024. I love spending time with my friends and family as well as my dog Milo. I also enjoy traveling, food, listening to music, dancing, baking and being creative hands-on. I aspire to one day open my own baking and catering business. I believe with hard work anything can be achievable. My motto is “Never quit and believe in yourself.”
Jubal Bernstein (he/him)
Oregon State University
Jasper Hill Farm
My name is Jubal Bernstein. I am a fourth year undergraduate student at Oregon State University, following a Food Science and Sustainability degree with a minor in Chemistry. I am very passionate about food. I have grown up in a family of bakers and chefs, and meals are a big part of my cultural identity. To me, food is the best gift you can give to someone, whether they are feeling sad or as a celebration. In school I have focused on dairy science, making cheese and ice cream at the OSU creamery and helping to further our understanding of cheese spoilage at a food safety lab on campus. Needless to say, cheese holds a special place in my heart, even among other foods. Aside from working with food, I enjoy being outdoors and rafting, hiking, or even going on walks around my neighborhood.
Juliana Wilson (she/her)
Elon University
Spring Brook Farm
Juliana is a senior graduating from Elon University with a degree in Environmental and Sustainability studies and minors in Anthropology and Environmental Education. She is passionate about food justice and sustainable food production. She grew up in Maryland and has always loved exploring nature and tending to her family garden. She has worked on a farm for the past three years at her university where her love of food and the stories behind crops has grown.
Jordy Cazales-Estrada (he/him)
School for Cooperative Technical Education
Winona's Hemp & Heritage Farm
My name is Jordy Cazales. I’m born and raised in South Brooklyn. My family has a long history of farming in rural Mexico, and as someone who is studying environmental science I plan on continuing that history. My interests are art, outdoor activities, ecology and empowering local communities here in New York.
Kate Kistler (she/her)
Virginia Commonwealth University
Stony Pond Farm
I am from Fayetteville, WV, where I have spent the last two years working on small farms. During this time, I have become interested in local food systems and all the pieces that go into making them function. In addition to farming I love to experience community through music and host an open mic night and small concerts in town. I am looking forward to learning more as an ASLF apprentice at Stony Pond Farm!
Juliette Kang (she/her)
Germantown Friends
Firefly Farms
My name is Juliette, and I’m currently a rising high school senior from Philadelphia, PA. From experimenting with sourdough starter to making banana bread, I have always been interested in the nature and creation of food and plan to pursue food science in college. I’m a big fan–and consumer– of cheese and grew curious about the process of making it after frequenting the cheese vendors at my local farmers market. In my free time, I enjoy biking, trying out a new recipe, or teaching tricks to my two dogs, Acorn and Hodu. I am looking forward to working at Firefly Farms and eager to learn about everything there is to cheese making!
Kate Sandreuter (she/her)
Oberlin College
Love is Love Cooperative Farm
Kate Sandreuter is a rising first year student at Oberlin College who lives in Raleigh, North Carolina. She became interested in farm work through a semester she spent in 2021 working and studying at Maine Coast Semester at Chewonki and is so excited for her apprenticeship with Love is Love Cooperative Farm this July. She enjoys crochet, the North Carolina mountains, and her two cats, and is looking forward to her work this summer!
Kayden Delvo (she/her)
UC Davis
Love is Love Cooperative Farm
I am an undergraduate student at UC Davis studying Environmental Science and Management. I grew up in Wenatchee, a small city in central WA. I developed a very strong love for the outdoors as a child and continue to enjoy it by adventuring through new places in CA. I enjoy playing ultimate frisbee on the UCD club team and reading in the shade at the student farm. Coming from a wine-making family and working in orchards in high school, I have some experience with agriculture, and Davis is expanding my interest in sustainable avenues. I'm excited to learn as much as I can through this apprenticeship and share that with my peers!
Katherine Aybar (she/her)
Farmshare Austin
Star Route Farm
My name is Katherine. I come from farmers on both sides of my family, with cousins maintaining a plantain farm to this day. The more I spend time in nature, the more I understand myself and others. I’m dedicated to connecting with our Earth and giving back after taking and taking for so long. Also, my heart is for animals and I’d love to be a part of a sanctuary one day. The Earth is for everyone!
Kayla Nelson (she/they)
NYU
Talbott and Arding
I’m Kayla! As a Florida native, I was lucky to grow up in my backyard, surrounded by delicious tropical fruits, veggies and critters. Food Network was my Saturday cartoons and cooking was (and still is) my favorite pastime. I studied Food Science in college and moved up to New York City–where I live now with my two cats and partner–to immerse myself in a bustling food culture. Since then, I have had the opportunity to be in the front and back of house, behind the bar, a wine director, a bar manager, an assistant manager, and now a manager of various restaurants and cafes. I am an avid vegetable gardener, am juggling many fermentation projects and enjoy growing mushrooms at home. Outside of the kitchen and garden, I silversmith, play the violin and paint (although mostly food still-lifes). I have always loved cheese–having even traveled for cheese–and am excited to delve deeper into the process, the connection to the land and science behind it, thanks to the Anne Saxelby Legacy Fund this summer!
Keaton Fritz (he/him)
Caputo’s Market and Deli, Cheesemonger
Rogue Creamery
I am a cheesemonger at Caputo’s Market and Deli in Salt Lake City, Utah. I am passionate about caring for and making cheese. My passion for artisan foods started in 2019 and has only grown since! This internship excites me because it is a wonderful opportunity to work closely with many things I love, good food, good people, and most importantly good cheese.
Kayla Peña (she/her)
City College at CUNY
Jasper Hill Farm
My name is Kayla Peña, and I am from New York City. I received my Bachelor’s in biomedical engineering, and I will be completing my Master’s in translational medicine in July 2023. I love that engineering gives me the ability to help bridge gaps in healthcare by developing inclusive medical technology. I have always been interested in stepping away from my career in engineering to work on a farm and explore sustainable agriculture. I am excited for the opportunity to do just that at Jasper Hill. Other things I’m interested in are cooking and bullet journaling. I love escaping the city and getting into nature whenever I get the chance to. I enjoy camping and hiking.
Khadijah Khadijah (she/her)
Le Rock, Pastry Cook
Jasper Hill Farm
I am a pastry cook at Le Rock in NYC. I am passionate about viennoiseries and want to master the art of chocolate work. My life lesson is: Always keep lemons, garlic, ginger and some kind of herb at home. These essential ingredients upgrade any meal by a few thousand percent. Besides eating good food, my hobbies include rewatching Gilmore Girls and finding good deals on skincare products. I am excited to join Jasper Hill Farm and learn about cheese!
Kristen Thesing (she/her)
Towson University
Catskill Wagyu at Hilltop Farm
I'm Kristen, a 24-year-old living in Brooklyn, NY. After spending the last five years working in the tech industry, I have decided to pursue my passion for sustainable agriculture and switch my career path. My interest in sustainable agriculture is not driven by an impulse or a desire to abandon my corporate job to "live off the land." Instead, I am looking to make a thoughtful and meaningful contribution to the movement. I am particularly excited about the prospect of starting a micro-dairy in the future! In my free time, I enjoy making YouTube videos, visiting farmer's markets, and taking cold plunges in nature. I’m excited to be a part of this beautiful program!
Korinne Valler (she/her)
Foodcorps
Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden
I'm thrilled to be joining the farm team at Snug Harbor this summer. I'm originally from Alameda, CA, but moved down south to Califomia's Central Coast to study Comparative Ethnic Studies and Sustainable Environments at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. There, I became passionate about the intersections between equity, food, and farming. I led Real Food Collaborative, which is a student organization with a mission to pursue greater access to locally sourced, sustainable, and nourishing foods for the San Luis Obispo community. After graduating last year, I moved back to the East Bay Area where I served as a Food and Garden Educator with Foodcorps in Oakland Unified School District. It has been lots of fun teaching children and growing in my skills as a gardener. I'm excited to have my first experience working on a farm, and to learn how to grow food in a very different climate that l am familiar with. After this summer, l am planning to move to Brooklyn, New York to pursue food equity work and experience life on the East Coast.
Lamont James Turcotte (he/him)
Degree in Forestry
Good Shepherd Ranch
I grew up in the NW suburbs of Chicago and have always had a strong connection to nature and agriculture. I have a degree in forestry and landscape architecture, and am currently employed by a local farmers’ cooperative in Moundridge, Kansas. I look forward to learning and assisting Frank Reese with breeding standard breed chickens and turkeys, and continue his life’s work.
Lilja Walter (they/them)
Kingsborough Community College
Red Hook Farms
Hi, my name is Lilja Walter. I'm a New York City native who's been working in the culinary industry since 2014. In my college years I worked on the Kingsborough Community College Urban Farm and the Brooklyn Grange, which ignited a deep interest in urban agriculture and food justice. Post graduating my focus shifted towards cooking, working as a line cook, sous chef, recipe developer, and sourdough baker. After years of restaurant work, where sustainability often had to take a back seat, I'm so excited for this opportunity to reenter the urban farming community at Red Hook Farms.
Lian Moy (she/her)
Oregon State University
Firefly Farms
I’m a 3rd year Food Science & Sustainable Technologies undergrad at Oregon State University. I was born and raised in La Grande, Oregon, and now live in Corvallis for college. I’ve been loving my time working at the OSU Creamery and have been there for about 1.5 years now. Throughout this time, I’ve helped in making cheese and ice cream, as well as working on the OSU Beaver Classic Food Truck during farmer’s markets and university events. Besides being a foodie, I like to spend my free time hanging out with friends and family, doodling the occasional drawing, and watching anime!
Lydia Macy (they/she)
Macalester College
Sky High Farm
Hello! My name is Lydia (she/they) and I am super excited to be farming in the beautiful Hudson Valley this summer! I grew up in Berkeley, California and am now studying American Studies and Environmental Studies at Macalester College in Saint Paul Minnesota. I am my happiest when I’m outside getting my hands dirty and learning from the processes of the natural world around me. I truly believe in the transformative power of regenerative agriculture and food sovereignty by and for communities and am thrilled to have the opportunity to learn more from the folks that are already doing this incredible work. I currently work as a meat monger for the Saint Paul Meat Shop which has sparked a deeper interest in sustainable and ethical meat production.
Maria Herrera (she/her)
Dutchess Community College
Our Core
I am Maria from Newburgh, New York. I am a second-year student at Dutchess Community College. I intend to earn an Associates in Liberal Arts and Sciences and then attend a four-year institution to pursue plant science or environmental science. I grew up in a rural area of Mexico, so I was always surrounded by nature, and moving to America made me lose that connection. Fortunately throughout my high school years, I was able to reconnect with my roots by getting involved with an afterschool program that works with an urban farm. I've been a member for four years, but every summer I return because I believe in their mission of bringing organic, local vegetables back to people's tables while simultaneously giving back to the community. This summer, I wanted to expand out and learn about other farms' approaches to sustainability, food justice, and food security, as well as how they make a difference in their communities. I am very happy to embark on a new adventure, meet new people, and continue this fantastic work!
Madison Wilson (she/her)
University of New Hampshire
Villa Villekulla Farm
I am a sophomore at the University of New Hampshire pursuing a dual major in French and marine biology. I am an intern for New Hampshire Sea Grant, where this summer I'll be helping a PHD candidate research the effect of invasive species on sustainable aquaculture. I'm super excited for my second year with the Anne Saxelby Legacy fund, where I'll further my passion for sustainable farming and food accessibility.
Marria Peduto (she/her)
Indiana University
Villa Villekulla Farm
Marria graduates from IU this summer with degrees in Sustainable Food and Marine Systems, International Studies, and East Asian Languages and Cultures. She is passionate about the connection between people, food, and climate. Marria had volunteered at the IU Campus Farm, with Campus Kitchen, and even began the Food (Security) for Thought Project to provide culturally relevant food aid during the pandemic. She is incredibly excited to spend time with goats.
Max Haimes (he/him)
Brown University
Paradise Locker Meats
I am from Los Angeles, studying environmental and computer science at Brown University. I am honored to have this opportunity to get involved with a sustainable agricultural producer this summer, as learning about and bettering the American food system is something that I have always been passionate about. I am excited to learn from people who raise animals properly and try to understand the intricacies that go into those processes. In my free time, I love cooking, gardening, going to restaurants, and playing soccer and basketball.
Mars Williams (she/they)
Bard College
Winona's Hemp & Heritage Farm
I’m Mars Williams, a 17-year-old sophomore at Bard College. I study Food Systems, Sustainability, and Political Ecology. I care about soil and bugs! As well as farming, I enjoy camping, live music, and making art. I grew up in Harrisburg, PA, but I moved to the Berkshires for school two years ago and fell in love with the area. I’ve never been to the Midwest, but I’m looking forward to learning about the local ecologies of Minnesota this summer!
Maya Netzer (she/her)
Etvernal/Supernature Group, Lead Gardner
Big Picture Farm
Maya is a Brooklyn-based artist, farmer, and astrologer with a background in youth advocacy and food justice. She came to farming and astrology hand-in-hand in 2015 when she worked with high schoolers growing and cooking food in community. Her work with food, astrology, and art is based in a praxis of liberation, celebration, and reconnection to place in relation to our human and more-than-human neighbors. She has been a farm educator on diverse vegetable operations in Northern California, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley, and worked in creative and development across different avenues of the food world in NYC. She feels the most at home when working in collaboration with farmers, chefs, and caretakers, and is beyond excited to learn cheesemaking and livestock care at Big Picture Farm where all of these worlds collide!
Nicolas Phelps (he/him)
Connecticut College
Brooklyn Grange
I am a rising senior at Connecticut College. I am majoring in botany, with a concentration in sustainable agriculture, as well as a minor in art. Through my studies and past internships, I have grown extremely interested in sustainable agriculture and food production. I am excited to continue to learn about this practice in a new setting thanks to ASLF and Brooklyn Grange.
Miki Nakano (she/her)
FRESHFARM, Lead Teacher & Community Engagement Education Coach
The Von Trapp Farmstead and Mad River Taste Place
I was born and raised in New York City and attended Middlebury College in Vermont. Upon graduating in 2020 with a degree in Sociology and Education, I moved to Hawaii to teach high school history as a teaching fellow. I was eager to find more ways to connect with the wider island community and began working as a Sustainable Agriculture and Community Outreach intern at the school gardens. I then moved to Washington DC to work at FRESHFARM, a food systems organization dedicated to building a resilient, equitable, and sustainable food future to be a teacher in their elementary educational program within DC Public Schools - FoodPrints and as an Education Coach on the Community Engagement Team. I could not be more excited to return to Vermont and learn from the incredible folks in the Mad River Valley!
Oliver Briger (he/him)
Oberlin College
Thanksgiving Farm
Oliver is a recent high school graduate from Philadelphia who is headed to Oberlin College next fall. He previously worked on a CSA and is excited to work at Thanksgiving Farm! Oliver is a sprinter on his school’s track team and in his free time likes to draw and play with his dog.
Rebecca Huang (she/her)
Yale University
Star Route Farm
Rebecca Huang is a graduating senior from Yale College with a major in American Studies. She’s interested in sustainability, theater, and creative writing. At college, she spent a lot of time hiking assorted trails in the area, hanging out with her friends in her campus ministry, watching films for class, putting on theater shows for New Haven kids, and catching up on the latest works of fiction. In her free time, she loves to cook, run, and come up with her own stories. She is excited to spend the summer learning about farming, being outdoors, and connecting with nature and other people (and animals).
Paloma Star Freedman (she/her)
Brooklyn College
Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden
Paloma Star, undergraduate student at Brooklyn College. I am a Brooklyn native and I plan to help my parents grow food for subsistence, who are currently upstate. My long-shot focus is earth care and land rehabilitation. I enjoy the scenic route to life; sculpting, dance, biking, camping, gardening, and sharing ideas. A better world is on its way!
Reed Hartzog (he/him)
Central High School IB
Newman Farm
My name is Reed Hartzog, and I am graduating with the class of 2023 from Central High School. I was born and raised in Philadelphia, and developed a love for the outdoors by exploring local parks, as well as my parent’s, and Grandmother’s gardens. I’ve worked at nearby organic vegetable farms collaborating with a local food co-op, and the John Heinz National Wildlife Preserve. I am currently employed as a dishwasher, but am looking for jobs as a gardener/landscaper. I am very excited to expand my experience with, and understanding of larger scale agriculture, especially the pigs.
Roger Gawne (he/him)
UCLA
Real Food Farm
I am a second year undergraduate student at UCLA studying Environmental Science and Queer Studies. I was drawn to my major by a passion for justice, built upon my history of activism, with most of my background being in racial justice. Local business, local food, and urban farming are all huge parts of EJ. I love to work with my hands and work directly in community with others, and love working with plants and gardens. I am also originally from MD and have hoped to find a way to reconnect with my home state
Robert “Bobby” Boucher (he/him)
Murray’s Cheese
Jasper Hill Farm
Robert “Bobby” Boucher from Jacksonville, Florida, moved to New York last October to pursue his love for cheese, getting his first job in cheese at Murray’s on Bleecker Street. His love and knowledge for all things cheese grew. He loves melting, aging, and eating cheeses in his apartment in Brooklyn.
Ruby Gary (she/her)
Williams College
Sky High Farm
Born and raised in New York City, Ruby (she/her/hers) grew up around myriad cuisines and local specialty food shops; her whole life, cooking and eating with family and friends has been among her favorite ways of connecting with the people and places she loves. Though she spent her school years in the city, she spent her summers with her siblings and extended family in the Rocky Mountains, where her parents are from, learning about natural science while in the backcountry. She is a recent graduate of Williams College, where she majored in Comparative Literature and Public Health. Throughout college, she has worked as an outdoor educator herself in the Rocky Mountains, Adirondack State Park, and the Berkshires. Her time at Sky High Farm will be her introduction to farming; she is so excited and grateful for the opportunity to continue to broaden and enrich her understanding of what forming community and ecological resilience can look like (and so close to where she grew up!). As a teaching-learning farm, she is excited to learn from Sky High what empowering education can look and feel like, bringing what she learns into her future as an educator.
Sabrina Roze (she/her)
New York City College of Technology
Harlem Grown
My name is Sabrina Roze. I am a 23 year old trans woman from New York City with an interest in the culinary arts field. I am currently pursuing a hospitality management bachelor's degree at the New York City College of Technology.
Ruby Raheja (she/her)
UC Davis
Consider Bardwell Farm & Levy Farm
My name is Ruby and I am a second year student at the University of California, Davis, where I am getting a degree in environmental science and a minor in economics. I am really passionate about sustainability and sustainable food production. I enjoy all things outdoors such as backpacking, running, skiing, camping, hammocking, etc. I am super grateful for the experience and excited to learn about sustainable production at Levy Lamb and Consider Bardwell.
Sierra Kuhn (she/her)
Oregon State University
Firefly Farms
I am originally from Arizona. I have just completed my first year at Oregon State University, where I am majoring in Food Science and Sustainable Technology. My love for baking and cooking is what originally drew me to the program. Now, my interest has evolved to include dairy, and I am passionate about introducing sustainability in every aspect of the production process. In my free time, I love to play volleyball and am a part of the OSU Women’s Club Team. I am super excited and grateful for this opportunity!
Sofie Kanayama (she/her)
UC Davis
Ice House Farm
Sofie is a recent graduate of the University of California, Davis with a dual degree in Design and Japanese. Working at the intersection of craft, design, and food, she loves to make handiworks based in ceramics, stained glass, and linocut printmaking. She is largely inspired by food motifs and food memories, particularly exploring how food has the power to create communities, transcend boundaries, and tell stories about people. Growing up in an Asian household, cheese was never a part of her daily fare, but her curiosity was sparked upon seeing her college roommate eating a round of brie for dinner one night. She then went on to create a linocut project called My ABCheese in which she carved stamps of cheeses starting from the letters A-Z. Since then, cheese has become a mainstay in her life as something to be loved and shared.
Sindhura Karaturi (she/her)
Oregon State University
Jasper Hill Farm
My name is Sindhura. I am an international student from India, currently majoring in Food Science and Sustainable Technologies at Oregon State University. I grew up with a passion for food and learning. I work at the creamery on campus making cheese, ice cream and selling these products at the local farmer’s market. I am also an Undergraduate Research Assistant at the Microbiology lab. I am currently working on a project to find anti-listeria compounds in dairy isolates. Using these skills, I hope to one day start a company that follows sustainable practices and employ those that did not have the equal opportunities to learn. When I’m not in class or at work, I am usually cooking or watching a series. I have always been fascinated by large scale production of food and more so of the cheesemaking process. I am extremely excited to be at Jasper Hill Farm and learn all about cheese.
Sophia Roberts (she/her)
Barnard College
Kinderhook Farm
I grew up in Woodstock, New York and just finished my first year of college at Barnard in New York City, where I intend to major in environmental sustainability. I really enjoy farm work and I’m so excited to do more of that this summer. I am very interested in the combination of agriculture and sustainability and am very grateful for this opportunity to learn more about incorporating sustainability practices into commercial agriculture.
Xochitl Fernandez (she/her)
Long Island City High School
Queens County Farm Museum
Being able to be a part of the Anne Saxelby Legacy Fund Apprenticeship is a great honor. I have been a part of a hospitality program and as I learn new things I have always wanted to learn where everything begins. Learning agriculture would be a great way to learn how produce can be grown and when produce is at its best. My goal is to share my journey in how this apprenticeship can greatly benefit others.
Tessa DeRose (they/them)
Children’s Country Center, Program Staff
Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden
I’m a painter and an educator. I’m inspired by rainforest ecology and Robin Wall Kimmerer to seek a healthier relationship with the land, individually and through collective creative collaboration. Through this apprenticeship, I hope to nurture more accessible, natural community spaces and support food security in NYC. Overall, I’m interested in urban farms as a means to move away from exploitative systems and towards practices of reciprocity and care.
Zoe Groder (she/her)
Appalachian Conservation Corps Youth Crew
Consider Bardwell Farm & Levy Farm
I’m Zoe. I’m 17 and currently live in Northern Virginia. I enjoy hiking, looking at birds, powerlifting, reading, and everything outdoor and learning related. I am so grateful for this opportunity and am looking forward to meeting everyone!