Meet our team

The backbone of our farm

Staff

Chong Portrait

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.

Salt City Harvest Farm Jacob

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.

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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.

Are you interested in joining our team or volunteering? Visit the Work With Us page to see opportunities to get involved.

Board of directors

Matt Pottieger, President
Duane Groesbeck, Vice president
Fred Mahan, Secretary
Nolan Reeves, Treasurer
​Theresa Letcher
​Daryl Files
Gul Ahmed Hamidi
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.