John Evangelista

Speaker

John joined the Groundwork Elizabeth Team as part of the More P.E.A.S. initiative funded in part by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. In his role as Director of Operations, John manages all aspects of the Come Grow With Us! Urban Agriculture Initiative as well as all the design & build projects for Groundwork Elizabeth. These projects include anything from garden designs and builds to agricultural learning laboratories and green infrastructure demonstration sites. Much of this work emphasizes youth development. He is also Co-Director of The Climate Safe Neighborhood Partnership, a program that focuses on climate change in Environmental Justice communities. As part of Groundwork Elizabeth, John built the first hydroponic greenhouse in Elizabeth at the Portuguese Instructive Social Club. John is a hydroponic specialist and educator, installing hydroponic systems and writing curriculum for these projects in schools throughout New Jersey. John has an extensive background in farming, hydroponic farm designs, construction, and urban agriculture. Outside of his work with Groundwork Elizabeth, John is currently the first Vice President of the Union County Master Gardeners Executive Board and sits on the Bloomfield NJ Environmental Commission.