Aaron Ristow

Senior Agricultural Specialist

American Farmland Trust

State: NY

(w) (315) 748-5029

About

Aaron has deep roots in agricultural stewardship, with 16 years of experience coordinating and administering agricultural extension and research activities, most recently focusing on multi-partner projects related to soil health and adaptive nutrient management.

Aaron has held positions with the Cortland County and Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and facilitated regional work that included multi-partner collaboration and conservation extension and outreach as Agricultural Coordinator with the Upper Susquehanna Coalition. He most recently held the position of Extension Associate at Cornell University, where he coordinated research and extension efforts on soil health and nutrient management programs and led workshops and trainings at the local, state and national levels.

A two-time Peace Corps alum (Bolivia and Nicaragua), Aaron holds a B.A. from University of Washington and two masters degrees from the University of California, Davis, in Soils and Biogeochemistry and International Agricultural Development. A strategic leader and accomplished educator, Aaron will be leading AFT New York’s agricultural stewardship programs as AFT ramps up projects across the state, including a professional development program for 20 soil health professionals and demonstration projects in Western and Central New York.