Farm Leadership

Our Team

Full of Heart and Dedication

Behind every season of planting, harvesting, and community growth at Homesteads for Hope is a team as diverse and dedicated as the crops in our fields. From our Founder/CEO who champions our vision of inclusive community and purposeful work, to the Farm Director who’s often the first to rise and last to leave the fields, this crew shows up every day with grit, laughter, and plenty of muddy boots.

Our managers keep the wheels turning behind the scenes, coordinating everything from volunteer days and events to payroll and people, while our farm and culinary staff bring joy, creativity, and learning to life on the farm. Every role (from development and marketing to store and farm) plays a unique part in making Homesteads a welcoming place where people of all abilities can thrive, build skills, and belong.

Together with our dedicated Board of Directors, they bring purpose, resilience, and a whole lot of compassion to every corner of the farm - proving day in and day out that great things grow when people work with purpose side-by-side.

Join Our Team

Our Team

Jennyrae Brongo

FOUNDER/CEO
Jennyrae is the heart & soul of Homesteads for Hope, dedicated to providing families like her own a genuine sense of belonging. With a Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management Engineering, and 15 years of entrepreneurship, she's turning our vision into reality by spearheading the 55 acre development of Western New York's first Inclusive “Learn, Work & Live” intentional Community. Her true joy lies in constructing our dreams, for a better future for all families.
Contact: Jenny@homesteadsforhope.org
585.352.4673 Ext. 104
Chris Krivanek

FARM DIRECTOR
Chris is the man behind the scenes. He works tirelessly to plan, organize, and grow our nature based classroom with our wonderful produce here at Homesteads for Hope. Chris can be found working from dawn until dusk behind the wheel of a tractor, sometimes with a pint of mint chocolate cookie ice cream during the busy season. Chris takes great pride in growing only the best produce and teaching our apprentices along the way.
Contact: Chris@homesteadsforhope.org
585.352.4673 Ext. 108
Ann Saylor

OFFICE & HR MANAGER
Ann has been part of the Homesteads for Hope family since the beginning. Best friends with co-founder Luann Brown and employed at the gravel pit Jennyrae owned, it was just a natural fit for Ann to come over to Homesteads for Hope and become the Office Manager, Human Resources, and head of accounting. Ann can be found jamming to music and getting the job done no matter what.
Contact: Ann@homesteadsforhope.org
585.352.4673 Ext. 101
Nora Venezky

Development Director
Nora comes to Homesteads for Hope from the small museum field and is excited to support the grant writing and fundraising efforts of the organization. She loves local history and the history of the Erie Canal, feel free to quiz her about it anytime! She loves being outside and in nature and can be found hiking on the weekends. She is excited to work with existing funders and donors to learn what they love about Homesteads for Hope and share her passion for the organization with anyone who will listen.
Contact: Nora@HomesteadsforHope.org
585.352.4673 Ext. 112
Abbey Pikuet-Orchard

FARM MANAGER
Abbey brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to Homesteads, backed by her degrees in childhood and special education, alongside a psychology minor from St. John Fisher University. Her journey began early, supporting her sister with developmental disabilities, driving her commitment. With 5.5 years at a local agency, Abbey played a pivotal role in providing essential services to individuals alike. Driven by her experiences, she's on a mission to foster inclusivity in Rochester, tirelessly working to create brighter futures. Fun fact: Abbey has been involved in the world of competitive cheerleading for 16 years and never imagined she would have a pair of muck boots in her closet!
Contact: abbey@homesteadsforhope.org 585.352.4673 ext 103
Shannon Russell

CULINARY COORDINATOR
Shannon loves cooking and all things food related. She loves teaching people about eating seasonally & locally while getting recipe inspirations from all over the globe. For Shan, the learning never ends - she decided to go back to school for Nutrition in 2023 as an extension of her current career. Shannon has worked in many capacities of the food industry over the past 20 years, working for great restaurants and dabbled in personal chef work, but ultimately wanted to pivot her career in a meaningful, impactful way, thus, Homesteads.
Shannon enjoys making food creatures out of oddly shaped produce, so she will fit right in. Ask to see a picture of her creations!
Contact: shannon@homesteadsforhope.org
Jane Elder

FARM ASSISTANT MANAGER
Jane came to the farm in 2024 for our first year of our Care Farming Training Program! She is using this program to kick start her career as a farmer and hopes to open her own Care Farm in the future. Jane has been in charge of a lot of the flower operations this year and has loved it so much, she plans to continue flower farming in the future! She loves all aspects of working on the farm team but her favorite thing to do is harvesting all of the beautiful produce and getting to hand it off to each of our lovely customers and members at our CSA pick-ups! Outside of work, you can find Jane working on her latest art project, rock climbing, or camping!
Beth Sumner

MARKETING COORDINATOR
Hi, I’m Bee. My background spans technical support, web and graphic design, branding, marketing, and photography, giving me a unique mix of tech-savvy problem-solving and artistic vision. Outside of work, I’m a self-proclaimed nerd who enjoys gaming, anime, and storytelling. You can also find me hiking, cooking, painting, or experimenting with woodworking and crafting with natural elements like driftwood and sea glass. At heart, I believe creativity is a way to connect, inspire, and spark imagination—whether through design, storytelling, or the little things that make life brighter.
Contact: beth@homesteadsforhope.org
585.352.4673, x107
Barbara Hull

FARM ASSISTANT
Barb came to Homesteads for Hope as a dedicated volunteer back in the beginning. While she started as a farm assistant, she has also worked with programs to help bring the farm inside during the winter. When Barb is not working, she spends time nurturing her own gardens, vegetables and spending valuable time with her grandchildren and family
Steve V.

FARM ASSISTANT
Steve is another Homesteads for Hope success story. Steve worked very hard to gain the skills needed to be a farmer and he takes great pride in everything farm related. Steve helps run the CSA pickups and loves telling people about the produce we grow here. Steve will often be found right next to Farmer Chris ready to get out to the fields.
George & Kate

EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR
George and Kate are Farmer Chris’ dogs and they are the best behaved employees. They run chicken security and are certified hug therapists. George will take payment in pets and Kate loves to give kisses whether you want them or not.
George sadly passed away in 2025. We will miss him and his vibrant personality forever.
Clark

EXECUTIVE SMILE BRINGER
Meet Clark! The newest addition to our team. From the puppy breath, the snuggles, the stealing shoes, and learning the farm, Clark has an important position here at Homesteads. Taking payment in the form of belly rubs, he’s the best new sidekick to Farmer Chris
Sam Worrock

PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Sam came to us from Mary Cariola with years of experience working with the IDD community. Her dog’s name is Sadie, and a cat named Jackson.
Contact: sam@homesteadsforhope.org
585.352.4673 Ext. 110
Mary Lowe

PROGRAMS FACILITATOR
Contact: mary@homesteadsforhope.org

Our Board of Directors

Brian Brase, Board President
Charles Gannon, Vice President
John Scanlon, Treasurer
Laura McFarlane, Secretary
Rhonda SanFilipo
Dan Martucci
Bob Moriarty
Jessie Cocquyt
Ben Pearson
Stephanie Clinton
Anthony Pisa
Mike Baum

Join the Board of Directors

"First time coming and it was so nice!!! There was also live music too with tons of seating. I would come again next year to pick more flowers!"

—Aleysha Dominguez
"Homesteads for Hope is a great organization. The farm sells locally grown food."

—David Larter
"Homesteads for Hope had me from my first visit! There is so much to be part of and to take part in yet the pace is casual and non-pressured. Truly a place for everyone, Homesteads for Hope is a little slice of heaven right around the corner. Visit once ...you'll be back!"

—Jeannine DeRoo
"The property is beautiful and the staff are the best! I love visiting the cafe’ as well. There are always special treats for me to purchase, including beautiful fresh picked flowers. The Thursday night events are a great place for the whole family to relax and enjoy the property."

—Jane Moore
"Nice stop while biking the Erie Canal Trail with food and music for good causes."

—Scot Egg
"Homesteads for Hope is that special vibe and the summer event spot to hang. IYKYK. Check out the website."em

—Rhonda SanFilipo
"Always a joy to visit, speak with the staff, and even volunteer in the fields. You can't help but walk away with a smile on your face."

—James Shaw
"Adorable, peaceful place for a county style summer evening, complete with a great duo, singing live with a guitar! Name families were enjoying a piece of normal. Very nice food truck, ice creams, and benches next to canal - can't be better!"

—Mohri Hime
"What a great place to go for fresh garden food. A place where the workers are very friendly , and plant and grow the fresh produce themselves . A quiet , nice place in the back with a pond and picnic tables around. Events for people to choose from to attend. Love it there."

—Cheryl Arnold
"Wonderful farming community that assists disabled/challenged adults learn job skills. Has a little store that sells the vegetables they farm and crafts created by the students. A great organization to put your support behind."

—Linda Short
"A beautiful spot adding beauty to the world"

—Kevin Markman
"What an amazing place for people of all abilities! It is so heartwarming to see people thrive in such an welcoming learning environment."

—Jacqueline Yates
"A terrific organization with a very clear mission - and passionate, dedicated staff who are working tirelessly to develop programs and services that center on fostering independence, specialized skills development, and socialization opportunities for folks with developmental disabilities. Beyond this essential aim, there are opportunities abound to explore a working farm, with recreational and other special events throughout the year. As a musical performer for their Harvest BBQs and Fundraising Gala, I have enjoyed not only the beauty of this location, but surely the spirit and sense of community evident with those participating in the activities. Kudos to Jenny and the team at H4H!"

—Adam Whiting

Farm Leadership

Our Team

Jennyrae Brongo

Chris Krivanek

Ann Saylor

Nora Venezky

Abbey Pikuet-Orchard

Shannon Russell

Jane Elder

Beth Sumner

Barbara Hull

Steve V.

George & Kate

Clark

Sam Worrock

Mary Lowe

Brian Brase, Board President

Charles Gannon, Vice President

John Scanlon, Treasurer

Laura McFarlane, Secretary

Rhonda SanFilipo

Dan Martucci

Bob Moriarty

Jessie Cocquyt

Ben Pearson

Stephanie Clinton

Anthony Pisa

Mike Baum

"First time coming and it was so nice!!! There was also live music too with tons of seating. I would come again next year to pick more flowers!"

"Homesteads for Hope is a great organization. The farm sells locally grown food."

"Homesteads for Hope had me from my first visit! There is so much to be part of and to take part in yet the pace is casual and non-pressured. Truly a place for everyone, Homesteads for Hope is a little slice of heaven right around the corner. Visit once ...you'll be back!"

"The property is beautiful and the staff are the best! I love visiting the cafe’ as well. There are always special treats for me to purchase, including beautiful fresh picked flowers. The Thursday night events are a great place for the whole family to relax and enjoy the property."

"Nice stop while biking the Erie Canal Trail with food and music for good causes."

"Homesteads for Hope is that special vibe and the summer event spot to hang. IYKYK. Check out the website."em

"Always a joy to visit, speak with the staff, and even volunteer in the fields. You can't help but walk away with a smile on your face."

"Adorable, peaceful place for a county style summer evening, complete with a great duo, singing live with a guitar! Name families were enjoying a piece of normal. Very nice food truck, ice creams, and benches next to canal - can't be better!"

"What a great place to go for fresh garden food. A place where the workers are very friendly , and plant and grow the fresh produce themselves . A quiet , nice place in the back with a pond and picnic tables around. Events for people to choose from to attend. Love it there."

"Wonderful farming community that assists disabled/challenged adults learn job skills. Has a little store that sells the vegetables they farm and crafts created by the students. A great organization to put your support behind."

"A beautiful spot adding beauty to the world"

"What an amazing place for people of all abilities! It is so heartwarming to see people thrive in such an welcoming learning environment."

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