Che’Von Cooper is an untiring, diligent, industrious, and conscientious horticulturist and urban agriculturist. He works at the New York Botanical Garden and manages several urban gardens in the New York metropolitan area.
Joseph Caristi realized his lifelong dream of having a farm in 2001 when he and his wife Anne Marie purchased land in Blairstown, NJ. Since then, in addition to being a software architect, Joe has been a part-time farmer, producing naturally grown vegetables, fruit, herbs, eggs, and hay. Recently, the farm was renamed “Herbal Dream Farm LLC”. In 2022 Joe and Anne Marie started a Christian ministry which provides farm-fresh produce to people in the Blairstown area who need assistance.
Sung Kim has found joy and healing in Mother Nature and has been involved in growing food for humans and wildlife for many years. She is a certified permaculture designer, gardener, and master composter.
Ray Pultinas is Founding Director of James Baldwin Outdoor Learning Center, an educational and charity 501c3 non-profit whose mission is to strive for project-based solutions at the juncture of food, environmental and social justice. JBOLC manages expansive permaculture garden spaces on or close to the DeWitt Clinton High School Campus in the Bronx (including Meg’s Garden and Edible Forest) and operates the weekly JBOLC Garden Community Farmers Market from June through October. Ray also sponsors high school student internships and coordinates community volunteer programs, community events and multi-age environmental educational programming. Before retiring in 2017, Ray taught English for 25 amazing years at DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx (James Baldwin’s Alma Mater) and has served as Sustainability Teacher, Sustainability Coordinator, Journalism Advisor and Witt Seminar Advisor, among other roles.