Farewell Nathan, Hello Alyssa: New Roots Sprouting at the Village Farm

Big things are sprouting at the Harvest Green Village Farm! Nathan Cross, our bird-loving, garden class-teaching Farm Manager extraordinaire, is off to plant new roots on his very own farm in Bellville, TX. And, while his departure tugs at our heartstrings, we’re thrilled to introduce Alyssa Gengaro as our new Farm Manager.

Alyssa joined the farm two years ago as a Farm Educator and the Farm Club Manager. Her role at that time included farm work and the responsibilities all Village Farm educators share. The additional role of Farm Club Manager allowed her to meet the many residents of our community who share her love for growing things.

“I genuinely feel I have gotten to know and love all the members, and together, we have built a true community centered on our shared passions for agriculture and connection,” she said. “Every time I see a member working at their plot and strike up a conversation, it reinforces the sense of accomplishment from all the effort invested in our Club, hopefully inspiring their continued commitment as well.”

Alyssa’s farming journey began in a Pennsylvania community garden while earning a bachelor’s degree in earth and environmental science at Lehigh University.

“While attending college, I worked on farms every summer and through the fall to gain as much knowledge and experience as possible from the farmers running the show,” she said. “Eventually, I decided I wanted to farm professionally and find a role that involved building community at its core.”

Building community is one of the favorite parts of her job at the Village Farm.

“It seems like anywhere you turn your head on the farm, you will see someone from the community sharing the space and stopping to chat with you,” Alyssa said. “These moments of connection are what I cherish most, especially when talking about my favorite topic: farming!”

In her new position she will be responsible for crop planning, task mapping and forecasting, team management, community programming leadership, and keeping a record of just about everything to tell the farmers if they are reaching their intended goals. It’s a big job.

“Nathan has left some very big shoes to fill,” she said. “He truly shaped the farm into a beautiful and inviting space that people gravitate toward and love spending time in. Working closely with Nathan over the past two years has shaped me as a person and helped me grow so much that I now feel confident stepping into his role. I hope to continue his legacy of passion and success.”

When she’s not farming, Alyssa channels her creativity into the kitchen, discovering new ways to celebrate the crops she grows. A true food enthusiast, she loves experimenting with recipes that turn harvests into unforgettable meals. Beyond cooking, she enjoys relaxing with her two cats and spending quality time with loved ones.

Her goals for the future are to deepen people's relationship with the farm, so it is not just a green space, but a place where people feel connected to the Farm Educators and to one another.

“I hope anyone who is interested in the farm can stop by for a stroll so that they can see our veggies, our goats, and us four farmers making it all possible!”

Meet Farmer Alyssa and See the Village Farm for Yourself

We are so excited to watch Farmer Alyssa bloom into her new role. If you are interested in learning more about the Village Farm, visit Harvest Green during our weekly Farmers Markets. Better yet, visit our model homes to learn how you can become a member of our farm-fresh community.