Wendy and Asher Burkhart-Spiegel
Co-Farm Directors, Poughkeepsie Farm Project

Wendy and Asher Burkhart-Spiegel are the Co-Farm Directors at the Poughkeepsie Farm Project where they work with members and youth to grow food for CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), farmers' market, and for donation to people in need. They also share their knowledge about food and farming with City Seeds participants and visitors. They completed internships on organic farms in 1996, loved it, and have been working on farms and in gardens ever since.

Helanna Bratman
Community Educator, Green Teen Community Gardening Program - Beacon

Helanna Bratman has been the Green Teen Program Coordinator in Beacon for the past three years. Prior to this position she had been a Resident Counselor at a shelter for homeless and runaway youth, a photographer, a farm apprentice, a landscapers' assistant, an entrepreneurial curb painter, a dog house assembler, and a media and arts educator. Luckily both Green Teen and City Seeds tie together her passion for farming, food, photography, and working with youth. It's a dream come true.

Bria White

Community Educator, Green Teen Community Gardening Program- Poughkeepsie

Bria White came to the Green Teen program in August of ’07. Hailing from the state of Maine, she has spent the last three years working with at risk and homeless youth and adults. Coordinating Maine’s largest food pantry solidified Bria’s desire to become a part of proactive solutions to meeting the needs of the under served community and an imperfect food system. Working with teens in rural India re-ignited her interest in focusing her community development work on youth empowerment. Bria’s passion for food equality, locally grown foods (and compost) make the garden a perfect setting for the collaborative learning process that will follow. She is excited to be a member of the Poughkeepsie community and loves seeing green teens on her bike rides through their shared neighborhood.