Common Ground Farm Education Programs

Common Ground Farm Education Programs include hands-on activities where participants harvest vegetables and learn basic cooking skills. The programs take place at Common Ground Farm, which grows a diverse array of vegetables on six and a half acres and offers year-round programs for children and adults. Educational programming on the farm connects children and adults to food, and Common Ground works to ensure that all of their education programs are accessible, regardless of income. Each season, the farm dedicates about half of the vegetables produced to food justice efforts.

• Schedule: Year-round programs for children and adults

Common Ground’s three main branches work together to address food access and education on the farm, in schools and cities. The organization’s leadership team includes Liz Craig, Operations Manager; Sember Weinman, Executive Director; Rhys Bethke, Farm Manager; and Amy Bandolik and Ilyana Campos, Market Managers. Common Ground operates weekend markets in the cities of Beacon and Newburgh, and these markets support local farmers and makers while making fresh food affordable and accessible to everyone. The Hudson Valley Farmers’ Market Academy is a professional development series created and supported by Common Ground, the Beacon Farmers’ Market and the Newburgh Farmers’ Market, with the goal of strengthening the local food community while supporting small businesses.

Last updated May 28, 2026.