Who we are

Agricultural Technical Working Group (A-TWG)

The A-TWG serves as an advisory body to the State of New York and other participating entities, providing advice and guidance to help steer efforts to advance renewable (primarily solar) energy development across scales in a responsible way while appropriately balancing the needs and contributions of New York State’s agricultural operations, lands, and farmers. It is comprised of  agricultural land and farmer advocates, solar developers and operators, non-governmental organizations that focus on clean energy, climate, and environmental protection, local government officials, academic experts, and state agencies.

The A-TWG brings together science and socio-economic subject matter expertise to develop collaborative advice, guidelines, or other products that ensure protection of the State’s agricultural land and farm economy while also advancing the State’s renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals.

Structure of the A-TWG

Structure of the A-TWG

Members

Farmers and Agricultural Land Advocates:

  • Sam Casella, Farmer, NYS Association of Conservation Districts

  • Katie Baildon, NOFA-NY

  • Ethan Winter, NY American Farmland Trust / Alliance for NY Farmland

  • Jeff Williams, NY Farm Bureau

  • Rick Zimmerman

 Solar Industry

  • Kevin Campbell, EDF Renewables

  • Michael Cucchiara, Nexamp

  • Noah Ginsburg, NY Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA)

  • Kyle Rabin, Alliance for Clean Energy NY (ACE NY)

Local and Regional Government

  • Matt Johnson, Tug Hill Commission

  • Jenny Loewenstein, Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council

  • Mikael Kerr, Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning

 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) – Agriculture and Clean Energy

  • Audrey Friedrichsen, Scenic Hudson

  • New Yorkers for Clean Power

  • Echo Cartwright, The Nature Conservancy

Cross-Cutting

  • David Kay, Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)

 State Agencies

  • Molly Hassett, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

  • Jeremy Magliaro, NYSERDA

  • Mike Latham, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets

  • Jeff Mapes, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

  • Jeremy Wyble, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)

Specialist Committees

With guidance and support from the State, the A-TWG may convene Specialist Committees (SCs) comprised of stakeholders with specific technical expertise and who can provide geographic and/or sectoral balance, as needed, to address A-TWG priorities. Specialist Committee members will be appointed based on their relevant subject-matter expertise or first-hand knowledge and experience with the topic under consideration.

 The primary criteria for selecting SC members:

  • Sufficient availability to dedicate substantial time to the Specialist Committee.

  • A substantive expertise on the topics and ideally some direct role in, or clear understanding of, aspects of the topic.

  • A willingness to work collaboratively with a diverse group of experts and stakeholders to develop recommendations.

Support Staff

  • The Consensus Building Institute (led by Catherine Morris and Elizabeth Cooper) provided support during the formation of the A-TWG and continues to support planning and facilitation of A-TWG activities.

  • WSP (led by Sarah Quintal) and Pace Land Use Law Center (led by Jessica Bacher) provide technical and support services for the A-TWG.

  • NYSERDA provides financial and other support as needed, and coordinates with other state agencies.