About Us

PlantJoy.nyc founder, Susie Spodek, designs hands-on, plant- and food-based programs that inspire connection – with nature, with others, and with the food we eat.

For over a decade she has worked across New York City with children, older adults, and everyone in between, offering experiences that make local food, agriculture, and nature feel approachable and meaningful. She brings energy, creativity and deep knowledge to every workshop, making learning fun, sparking curiosity and nurturing emotional well-being.

Before planting roots in local, community-based work, Susie spent years in the field of international education; living, working, and studying abroad and helping others to do the same. Her cross-cultural experiences inform her life, bringing a thoughtful, inclusive sensitivity to her work.

Susie is certified in Therapeutic Horticulture by the NY Botanical Garden. She holds master’s degrees from Teachers College and the School for International and Public Affairs, Columbia University.