Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Fellowships & Leadership
Early Career And Related Experience
References
Timeline
Generic
Koi Dem MENDEZ

Koi Dem MENDEZ

Rochester,NY

Summary

Dynamic leader with expertise in supervision, team building, and customer service. Proven track record of implementing effective changes that enhance organizational performance. Skilled in training and employee engagement strategies that boost morale and productivity. Committed to advocating for Black, queer, and marginalized communities through land-based healing initiatives.

Overview

3
3
years of professional experience

Work History

Farm Manager

490 Farmers
Rochester, NY
03.2025 - Current
  • Coordinate and teach weekly Wednesday volunteer nights, training participants in accessible farming techniques, and community stewardship.
  • Plan and facilitate seasonal workshops on topics such as food sovereignty, composting, medicinal herbs, and sustainable land care.
  • Designed and implemented a one-acre free food forest, producing 150+ varieties of herbs and vegetables, expanding community access to fresh, culturally relevant produce.
  • Sole farm manager responsible for vision, strategy, and day-to-day operations, from crop planning to harvest, and distribution to local food access programs.

Workshop Facilitator (Freelance)

Various Grassroots Organizations
Rochester, NY
08.2023 - Current
  • Created engaging workshop materials to enhance participant interaction and learning outcomes.
  • Delivered presentations on various topics to enhance participant knowledge and skills.

Urban Farm Consultant

Various Community Gardens & Private Homeowners
05.2022 - Current
  • Designed and implemented customized food-growing systems for urban farms and private residences, focusing on culturally relevant crops.
  • Led on-site consultations and training in soil health, crop planning, and organic pest management.
  • Supported limited-land households in developing innovative small-space food production solutions.
  • Incorporated principles to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Farm Manager & Educator - GROWS Program

Cornell Cooperative Extension
Rochester, NY
04.2024 - 11.2024
  • Directed operations of a ½-acre educational farm, mentoring youth in sustainable agriculture through a paid internship.
  • Built soft skills (teamwork, punctuality) and hard skills (planting, pest control, composting) to prepare interns for green careers.
  • Oversaw food distribution to local food pantries; co-managed farm budgets and grant compliance.
  • Developed tracking systems for intern progress and farm outputs to assess impact.

Assistant Director / Co-Director

Black Urban Growers (BuGs)
Rochester, NY
04.2023 - 05.2024
  • Led strategic planning, outreach, and community partnerships to grow chapter visibility and impact.
  • Designed and hosted events including seed swaps and land-based healing workshops.
  • Advocated for Black land sovereignty on local panels and forums.
  • Managed multiple successful grant applications to fund operations and programming.

Community Events Chair (Volunteer)

People's Slate
Rochester, NY
01.2023 - 11.2023
  • Directed strategy for community events supporting city council slate focused on racial justice, food access, and housing equity.
  • Planned and executed large-scale fundraiser, The People's Party, featuring local musicians and vendors.
  • Raised over $10,000, attracting more than 200 attendees to enhance grassroots visibility.
  • Coordinated logistics, talent booking, vendor outreach, budgeting, and event promotion with campaign staff and volunteers.

Education

Full-Spectrum Doula Certificate -

Birthing Advocacy Doula Training
08.2022

Certificate -

Birthing Beyond The Binary
12.2021

Bachelor of Arts - Health & Human Services, Community Mental Health; Public Health Minor

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY
05.2018

Skills

  • Program design and development
  • Grant writing
  • Mentorship and coaching
  • Employee management
  • Resource allocation
  • Workshop facilitation
  • Community partnership building

Fellowships & Leadership

  • Root and Bloom Fellowship, National Young Farmers Coalition, present
  • FIRE Fellowship, Soul Fire Farm, 08/01/23
  • Board Member, Office of DEI, URMC Psychiatry, 05/01/20, 05/31/22
  • Social Justice Advocate, Equality Youth Project, J-FLAG, 01/01/18, 12/31/19

Early Career And Related Experience

  • Clinical Support Technician II, University of Rochester Medical Center - Pathology, 04/01/21, 05/31/22
  • Program Assistant - Project ACT, University of Rochester - Strong Ties, 03/01/20, 04/30/21
  • Senior Live-In Skill Builder, Center for Youth, 06/01/19, 06/30/20, Per Diem: 06/01/20-Present

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Farm Manager

490 Farmers
03.2025 - Current

Farm Manager & Educator - GROWS Program

Cornell Cooperative Extension
04.2024 - 11.2024

Workshop Facilitator (Freelance)

Various Grassroots Organizations
08.2023 - Current

Assistant Director / Co-Director

Black Urban Growers (BuGs)
04.2023 - 05.2024

Community Events Chair (Volunteer)

People's Slate
01.2023 - 11.2023

Urban Farm Consultant

Various Community Gardens & Private Homeowners
05.2022 - Current

Full-Spectrum Doula Certificate -

Birthing Advocacy Doula Training

Certificate -

Birthing Beyond The Binary

Bachelor of Arts - Health & Human Services, Community Mental Health; Public Health Minor

University At Buffalo

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