Niraj Ray - Founder & CEO - nray@cultivatethecity.com

Niraj is an international pioneer of urban and rural vertical agriculture. From his first backyard garden in Daytona Beach, Florida to vertical gardens for underserved schools in Washington, DC, and strawberry farms in Maharastra, India, Niraj is intent on finding innovative and sustainable ways to bring fresh produce to communities that need it. He is an educator and agricultural expert with a mission to transform urban food deserts into thriving local food systems. Niraj holds a B.S. in Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology from Ohio State University and an M.S. in Integrated Environmental Science from Bethune-Cookman University, and is a former National Wildlife Federation Emerging Leader Fellow and used to work with the US EPA - Office of Water.

Aiyana Poe- Garden Manager- info@cultivatethecity.com

Aiyana’s interest in plants started through a long lineage of horticulturalists. Growing up in a plant-filled environment pushed her to do volunteer work in gardening in her community as well as create her own vegetable and fruit garden. She has continued to increase her knowledge and even today she is eager to learn more. She is continuing to build and apply her skills of sustainable agriculture through working with Cultivate the City.

Ethan Kamerow- Garden associate & Carnivorous plant expert

Ethan Kamerow is an artist with a passion for nature and growing things.  As a young child, Ethan was always fascinated with plants especially carnivorous types.  He combines his love of plants and art by creating terrariums and bog gardens. “Whether I am working at H Street or at home I am always tending to plants, on the hunt for a new plant, propagating or trading my plants. The thing I like most about working with the team at H Street Farms is that I am always learning something new from my coworkers to further my knowledge in sustainable agriculture.  My dream is to one day have a greenhouse of my own to expand my collection of aroids and carnivorous plants.  It’s not work if you love what you do.”      -Ethan Kamerow