Training Instructors Biographies

Baskets to Pallets Training Instructors

Violet 1brp1x6Violet Stone launched the Baskets to Pallets Project in 2014 in an effort to prepare direct-marketing farmers to successfully connect with new scale-appropriate markets.  Prior to joining the Cornell Small Farms staff, Violet worked as a farmers market manager, local foods educator and farm direct-marketing consultant.  She is also the  New York NESARE (Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education State Coordinator. Jarmila 29ez8ii

For the last four years Jarmila Haseler served as a Farmers’ Market Specialist in CCE of Wayne County. Her work helped to ensure the success of farmers’ markets in the Genesee Valley Region. Jarmila’s strengths are in program development through stakeholder engagement, needs assessment, and process evaluation. She is excited to work with clients and communities while growing public awareness agriculture in Monroe County.

Robert zxpbqfBefore joining the Cornell Vegetable Program, Robert Hadad worked as an Extension Educator, developing programs for growers exploring sustainable and organic production practices. The production and marketing of local foods has always been a passion for Robert. He is also the former owner of a small produce farm in Rhode Island. Today, Robert is the team’s food safety, organic, marketing, and fresh market specialist. Omari 20yqmnaOmari Washington is an urbanist with a passion for building strong, equitable communities through inclusive local food projects. Over the past decade, he has been involved in the management of various environmental initiatives in New York City and the Hudson Valley, including MillionTreesNYC, and he has consulted with national organizations, such as National Wildlife Federation and National Urban League. Omari will soon graduate from Pratt Institute with a Master’s degree in Sustainable Environmental Systems.
Tanya 1oyueybTanya Moyer is the owner of Mulligan Creek Acres, a small scale, natural, pasture based farm. Committed to sustainable agriculture and providing the animals a stress free life, Tanya has sought out purebred Berkshire pigs, meat chickens and turkeys for the farm. Tanya’s mission for the farm is to rebuild and conserve the land’s of Mulligan Creek so the animals have the best possible, natural environment thus resulting in the most flavorful, nutritious food. Daniel wncl8lDaniel Eggert is the Organic Brand Manager at Harris Seeds. He oversees the organic division which includes expanding the product line, contacting growers to ensure their success, helping with trial varieties, and expanding the brand presence within the organic community. Daniel is passionate about sustainability, becoming self-sufficient, and studying permaculture/biodynamic practices. He loves working at Harris Seeds and helping growers achieve success.
Paul 2gtrsbeLongtime friends Paul Loomis and Chris Flagg started hobby farming many years ago on a heavily wooded flood plain in Hilton with many stories to tell of trial, error, success, and lessons learned. Paul Loomis is now the co-owner of Growing Family Farms, which produces certified organic vegetables, fruits, eggs, and chicken on six sandy acres central to Rochester’s west-side communities of Hilton, Greece, Spencerport, and Parma.  Laura 1ib11o6Laura Biasillo is an Agricultural Economic Development Speciailst with CCE-Broome County, in Binghamton NY. In this position she focuses on increasing marketing channels for producers, creating education programs focuses on new skills and technologies and facilitation farmland protection and development initiatives with the county.

Violet Stone

Violet's work focuses on creating retreats, workshops and programs for the agricultural community centered on themes of connection, wellness, purpose, integrity and courage. She sees this work as contributing to a more inclusive ‘culture’ of agriculture where all voices are warmly welcomed, honored and celebrated, including the voices of our ‘inner teachers’, sometimes referred to as 'spirit' or 'soul'. Violet serves as the NY SARE Coordinator and can help farmers and educators navigate NESARE grant opportunities.
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