Staff
Chong Vang
Education Coordinator
Chong has been growing and learning about food with his family since he was young. His passion for growing lead him to study soil. He loves making compost and has an interest in cut flower production. He was born in Thailand and a first generation Hmong American.
When not farming he enjoys playing music and teaching/training the art of Muay Thai.
Jacob Gigler-Caro
Executive Director
Jacob has been growing food in different capacities over the past 16 years, first finding his love for food in Chicago community gardens. Since then, he has worked alongside communities in California, Wisconsin, and North Carolina growing food and managing farms at a variety of scales.
He is on a continuous quest to share what he has learned with others; with the intention of breaking down stereotypes, bringing people together, and deepening our relationship with the cosmos.
Manika Gautam
Farm Manager
Manika has been growing food her entire life. She was born and raised in Nepal. In Nepal, she farmed and owned a food business selling produce and prepared food with her family. She moved to Syracuse, NY in 2013 and shortly later got involved with Salt City Harvest Farm.
She is a seed saver and her favorite crops to grow are Dalle Khursani (डल्ले खुर्सानी) and pumpkin stems. When not farming, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her family and friends.
Ryan Fitzgerald
Market Manager
Ryan has loved working in the garden since he was young. Since growing up in Connecticut and working in his grandmother’s garden, he moved to Central New York in 2015 and has lived in Syracuse since 2020. Ryan competed his Master’s in Food Studies from Syracuse University and was a SCHF Farm Apprentice in 2023.
In his spare time he enjoys rowing, cooking, and watching movies with his cats.
Are you interested in joining our team or volunteering? Visit the Work With Us page to see opportunities to get involved.
Board of directors
Elise Springuel, President
Aaron Ristow, Vice president
Nolan Reeves, Treasurer
Emily Kenny, Secretary
Camille Marcotte
Interested in getting deeper involved?
We're looking for additional committee and board members to assist our efforts of growing food, culture, and community.