Ellen Conti (she/her) – Farm Director Ellen is beginning her first season at Phillies Bridge after managing Back Home Farm in High Falls, NY for two years. A New York native, she grew up playing in the woods and learning about nature and science. She is excited to share her love of learning and farming with our apprentices while leading the farm. Ellen and her dog Amelia look forward to making connections with the community here and contributing to the farm’s mission. Outside of work she enjoys walking in the woods, mountain biking, spending time with friends and family, reading and cooking.
Suzannah Schneider (she/they) – Food Justice Director & Assistant Farm Director Suzannah (Suz) is entering their second growing season with Phillies Bridge, and their third in the Hudson Valley after completing the Glynwood Vegetable Apprenticeship in 2022. They find deep joy and satisfaction in work that connects mind and body to the outdoors while supporting the needs of their community and environment. They’re excited to kick off season two at such a thoughtful and productive farm!
Suz previously lived in Brooklyn for nearly nine years where they grew, taught, wrote, and planned with GrowNYC, Certified Naturally Grown, The Queens County Farm Museum, and Katchkie Farm/Great Performances. They hold a Masters in Food Studies from NYU, and a Bachelors in Environmental Studies from Tulane University. After work, Suz loves to cook, strength train, laugh at and learn from podcasts and audiobooks, and mend their clothes with sashiko. They live in Newburgh with their partner Nate and many houseplants.
You can reach Suz at foodjustice@philliesbridge.org.
Ella Schwarzbaum (she/her) – Education Director Ella is a New York City native who came to agriculture as she learned more about the industrial farming system that provided most of the food around her. Ella majored in Environmental Studies at Binghamton University and received a masters in Childhood Education, General and Special Education (grades 1-6). After teaching elementary school science in the South Bronx it was time for a change of pace, and she has been farming in the Hudson Valley ever since. She is very excited to continue combining her love of education and farming as part of the Phillies Bridge Farm Project family! When she is not farming, Ella is often dreaming of goats or working on a crochet project.
You can reach Ella education@philliesbridge.org
Jazmine Langlitz (she/her) – Admin & Finance Director
Jazmine is the administrative director in her seventh year at Phillies Bridge Farm. Beginning her tenure with Phillies Bridge as the camp director, Jazmine moved into the administrative office in 2020. A Hudson Valley native, Jazmine attended SUNY New Paltz and fell in love with the town. She went on to receive her Masters Degree in Education from Endicott College in Beverly, MA. She enjoys teaching math, among other subjects, and is intrigued by creating connections to nature in education. In her spare time, Jazmine explores liberty training with her horses, Pax and Nami, and hangs out with her family while camping, hiking, skiing, and fishing. She is looking forward to a beautiful and fruitful 2024! She can be reached at info@philliesbridge.org.
Phyllis Cosenza (she/her) – Nature Nursery Lead Teacher Phyllis Cosenza has over 20 years of experience in education. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, and now immensely embraces her current residence in Rosendale for several years with her family. She holds a Professional New York State Department of Education Teacher license in early childhood for general and special education, from birth through second grade. She has previously been employed as real estate agent, financial planner, provider for early intervention of special instruction, applied behavior analyst, special education itinerary teacher, Pre K teacher, and high school substitute teacher. Phyllis strives to foster a positive, safe and conducive environment for child development. She aspires to provide creative, quality support and strategic planning for children to fulfill their objectives/goals. Phyllis offers various modalities of learning, customizing to each individual’s needs for their preferred means of learning. With a concentration on scaffolding each child’s strengths, she will provide an outlet for them to show growth and meet both their academic and social milestones. An aim to collaborate with families, other providers and administrators is Phyllis’ utmost focus towards the betterment of each individual child.
Katie O’Brien (they/them) – Farm Apprentice 2024 Season Hi! My name is Katie (or KT) and my pronouns are they/them. I grew up in Queens and I am about to enter my last year of studying Environmental Studies at SUNY New Paltz. Previously, I worked on a trail crew in Colorado for two seasons and I have worked on a couple different farms in Vermont and New York. I am super excited to continue farming and to start the season at Phillies Bridge!
Molly Conover (she/her) – Education Apprentice 2024 Molly is an environmental educator, budding naturalist, and lover of summer camp. She studied Environmental Policy, Art History, and Spanish at Middlebury College where she graduated in 2022. After graduating she participated in Quaker Voluntary Service, a service year fellowship focused on spiritual exploration and social justice, worked at a nonprofit promoting building material reuse and workforce development, and spent three months as an au pair in Spain. Molly loves hiking, yoga, making art, cooking, music, wandering, and learning about the world from people of all ages. She is looking forward to a summer full of singing, playing, learning, and eating delicious local food!
Alyssa Rosenberger (they/them) – Education Apprentice 2024 My name is Alyssa (Lys). I
am a developing naturalist, environmental educator, and conservationist, greatly inspired by nature and art. I graduated in 2022 from SUNY Purchase College with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies. As an Environmental Education Steward for the Student Conservation Association (SCA) in 2023, I contributed to various programs and projects that enhanced the visitor experience and the environmental stewardship of New York State Parks. My goal at Phillies Bridge is to connect children with food, and the ecology of farms by giving opportunities for creative expression, play, and hands-on learning. Outside of work, I enjoy taking photos with film cameras, creating short films, and drawing.
Evie Fabricant – Education Apprentice 2024 My name is Evie, I am a recent graduate from Oberlin College with a major in Studio Art. Though my academic career has focused on visual art making, I have worked in gardening, public parks, and beekeeping education. I am eager to bring art and environmental education together at the Phillies Bridge Farm Project. Some of my best childhood memories were at summer camp, and I hope to create similar experiences for the kids I work with this summer. I’m also really excited to spend some time with goats, they are hilarious creatures!
Kelsey Ludwig (she/her) – Education Apprentice 2024 My name is Kelsey and my pronouns are She/her. I am about to enter my third year of college, at SUNY New Paltz, majoring in Environmental Studies. Currently, I am leading a vermicomposting project as a part of a sustainable garden program in Fredonia, NY. This season, I am looking forward to caring for plants and being out in nature!
Leah Petroccitto – Education Apprentice 2024 Hi! My name is Leah and I am a local going into my senior year of high school who grew up right here in Gardiner. I’ve been coming to Phillies Bridge since 5 years old and learned all about loving our Earth and loving our community. I am so grateful to be able to work with such an amazing group of people! I am obsessed with nature, movies, and traveling. I am so excited for this summer and look forward to working with everybody and seeing all of my animal friends again! I am thrilled to see so many familiar faces and delighted to meet new ones this summer.