Our People
Emory Knoll Farms is as much a living organism as the plants we grow! Our people bring a diverse range of backgrounds, core areas of expertise, and interests; and we openly embrace these differences to make the team we now have. We also share many important attributes, such as personal integrity, work ethic, and professionalism.
As a whole, we endeavor to be a learning organization.
Ed Snodgrass – Owner and President:
Edmund C. Snodgrass, a fifth-generation farmer, and nurseryman is owner and president of Emory Knoll Farms, Inc. and Green Roof Plants.
As a green roof and horticulture specialist, Ed has consulted on projects throughout the United States and also in England, France, New Zealand, China, Australia, Mexico, Sweden and Morocco.
Ed collaborates on green roof research with academic institutions including University of Maryland,
Penn State University, The University of Melbourne, The University of Auckland, and Sheffield University. A popular speaker and published author, Ed teaches and lectures widely, at universities and conferences, both close to home, and around the world.
Ed is the co-author of Green Roof Plants: A Resource and Planting Guide (Timber Press 2006), The Green Roof Manual – A Professional Guide to Design, Installation and Maintenance (Timber Press 2010) and Small Green Roofs (Timber Press 2011).
Ben Phipps – Farm Manager
Ben has been with EFK since 2010, during that time he departed and worked two seasons as a seasonal gardener at Denver Botanic Gardens in the Rose, aquatic, succulent, and Colorado native sections, returning to EKF in 2019.
His interest in agriculture began early in life as a 4H & Green Thumb member, continued onto some of Longwood gardens certificate programs. Over time he has performed most tasks at EKF, now Ben oversees all operational systems at the farm, including mechanical, organizational, and supervisorial.
Erin Kelly – Customer Service
Erin joined EKF March 2022, her responsibilities include setting up customer accounts, create estimates from plans, sales orders, coordinate deliveries, inventory, accounts receivable, and even some growing and production. She has an AS in Horticulture from Temple, formerly employed by North Creek Nurseries as their production manager. Her previous 19 years of horticultural experience provided insight into both the operations and sales world allowing her to serve the customers and the company at a high level.
Brian Williams – Plant Care
Brian started in 2023 and comes with a decade of experience in caring for plants in commercial
horticulture. He has a passion for horticulture and can unlock any plant problem with the skill and determination of a master safe cracker.
Brian heads up our IPM program and nutrient management program.
He has a fabulous collection of orchids along with other tropical plant groups.
Chris Speno – Grounds Maintenance
Chris has been a long-term employee at EKF on the job since 2000, he participated in some major growth and changes of the company during this time. Prior to coming on board, he had 7 years of experience landscaping and hardscaping for Kurt Bluemel in Maryland.
He currently manages the seed production fields at the farm, and several acres of display and trial gardens.
Erin Kurceba – Nursery Worker
Erin has been at EKF since March 2016 she is our nature lover and conservationist on staff. As a lifelong learner she has a wide range of interests and diverse hobbies, including bee-keeping here at EKF. Her primary responsibilities are propagation, including cutting monitoring and harvesting, sticking and aftercare and she heads up our social media presence. Additionally, she performs shipping & office tasks, and landscaping.
Kevin Neumann – Nursery Worker
Kevin has worked at EKF since 2018, projects he has worked on include updating all the greenhouse and stock bed signs also bringing the website up to date. He is a jack of all trades, some of his additional responsibilities include maintenance of equipment, general repairs on structures, delivery driver, growing crops and stock beds, assists with maintaining the seed field and gardens, propagation & beekeeping.
Kevin received a BFA in Graphic Design from Towson University in 2021. He is proficient in the Adobe Creative Suite; programs including Photoshop & Illustrator.
