StoryLab is built through partnership.

We believe meaningful food system change does not happen in isolation, it happens through aligned institutions, growers, educators, buyers, and community organizations working toward a shared vision. Each partner brings distinct expertise, infrastructure, and perspective that strengthens our ability to serve farmers and food producers well.

We are actively expanding this network, thoughtfully adding collaborators who deepen our capacity and integrity. This list will continue to grow as StoryLab grows. Simply put, we cannot build this alone.

Our partners are not supporters on the sidelines, they are co-creators in shaping a more connected and resilient culinary economy.

Cornell Agritech

Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture

The Cornell AgriTech Center of Excellence for Food & Agriculture serves as a strategic mentor to StoryLab, supporting early-stage program development at the intersection of agriculture, food innovation, and market viability.

What This Partnership Provides:

Mentorship on food and agriculture business development
Applied learning in product development and value-added processing
Guidance on commercialization pathways for specialty crops
Exposure to regulatory, production, and scaling considerations
Connection to New York State’s food, beverage, and agriculture innovation ecosystem

Curriculum & Applied Learning:

As part of the StoryLab residency, participating farmers will engage in select curriculum and hands-on learning experiences at the Food Innovation Lab, a collaborative space operated by the Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture in partnership with the Cornell Food Venture Center. The Food Innovation Lab provides access to commercial-grade, self-service equipment for product

Verdure

Culinary Agriculture Estate

Verdure serves as the physical and philosophical home of StoryLab. Situated on 243 acres of regenerating farmland in upstate New York, Verdure is more than a backdrop, it is a working landscape where agriculture, hospitality, and creativity intersect.

As an agritourism farm, it provides the living classroom for StoryLab’s field-to-market model, hosting residencies, demonstrations, and collaborative experiences that connect farmers directly to chefs and buyers. Verdure grounds StoryLab in place, proving that a thriving local food system begins with land stewardship, thoughtful production, and meaningful relationships.

Urban GreenWorks

Urban Farm Collective

Urban GreenWorks is StoryLab’s lead agricultural partner, responsible for designing, building, and managing our teaching farm. With deep experience in regenerative growing systems and community-based agriculture, their team brings both technical expertise and on-the-ground operational knowledge to the project. Urban GreenWorks will shape the farm as a productive learning environment, ensuring it models scalable, market-ready practices that farmers can adapt to their own operations. Their stewardship guarantees that StoryLab’s curriculum is rooted in real production, real logistics, and real-world agricultural excellence.

Community Cupboard

Regional Food Pantry

Community Cupboard is StoryLab’s community food access partner, grounding our work in service and regional impact. As a frontline food pantry serving families across Chenango County,

Community Cupboard brings deep insight into food distribution logistics, food insecurity realities, and the importance of dignity within the local food system. Their partnership ensures that StoryLab remains connected not only to markets, but to community need, reinforcing our belief that a strong culinary economy must also strengthen food access. Through collaboration, we align farmer opportunity with community nourishment.