our team

Aja is a lifetime resident of the Hudson Valley, born into a family whose legacy is rooted in the local farming industry. The value of Aja’s work draws from her diverse experiences in land management, propagation, and design, which range from tending the family’s fruit and vegetable production gardens alongside her grandfather from the age of five, to working in New Orleans in the late 90s as a manager for a chain of nurseries whose headquarters were in the 9th ward. Experiencing the juxtaposition of the tropical abundance of these nurseries embedded in a profoundly underserved community, and witnessing how the area was addressed politically after hurricane Katrina has informed much of her subsequent activity and thinking. Her designs are also deeply inspired by her extensive explorations of the high deserts of California and Colorado, as well as the Mountain Ranges of Wyoming and Montana.
Aja was the founder and sole proprietor of Earth Designs from its inception in 2001 until 2016. In order to develop the company more sustainably and align its mission with her long-standing values, in 2014 she offered her employees an opportunity for shared ownership in the company. In May of 2016, eight employees, including Aja herself, became the founding members of Earth Designs Cooperative. Currently, Aja serves as the Executive Director as well as the Board president. As a mentor to the team at EDC, she plays an important role in both conceptualizing the trajectory of the Cooperative and supporting its growth.
Aja studied Landscape Design at the School of Horticulture at the New York Botanical Gardens and is fluent in DynaSCAPE as well as classic landscape illustration and drafting. She is also a Good Work Institute Fellow and actively engages as an environmental & community activist in the Hudson Valley.





Growing up among the mangroves and tropical rainforests of Dominican Republic, Tommy developed a deep love for the natural world. Guided by the curiosity awakened by that experience, he pursued an education in Environmental Science at the State University of New York, with a focus on rainforest ecology. He went on to pursue a B.S. in Computer Science at Pennsylvania State University.
In his role as Meadow Department Manager, Tommy is committed to creating and maintaining native meadows that invite peaceful meditation and encourage the cultivation of love and care for these dynamic environments.







Tommy Guerrero, Meadow Department Manager • Jolie Herbst, Site Manager • Aja Hudson, Executive Director • Erin Domagal, Creative Director • Maria Vigna, Site Manager • Colin McDonough, Equipment Manager • Conor Corbett, Irrigation Department Manager
“Earth Designs arrived at our home and within two days transformed a weed infested ugly bank into an attractive easy to care for stone garden complete with ferns and grasses to soften the look. The staff was hardworking, efficient, and took care with other features of our property. If we have another project we need completed, we would not hesitate to hire them again. We continue to appreciate and enjoy the tremendous improvement in our yard!”
Cheryl and Joe Kosarek August 7, 2016
“Aja and the Earth Designs team are professionals of the highest caliber. They are not only skilled designers and installers with extensive expertise, they are also great collaborators and communicators. Aja transforms disrupted land into beautiful, restored natural landscapes. Aja is a true pleasure and I recommend her without reservation.”
Drew Lang Principal, Lang Architecture October 5, 2016
“This isn’t about planting gardens, it’s about creating outdoor spaces. The Earth Design team took the aesthetic of our indoors, and brought it outdoors. The result? We now have elegant, inviting spaces throughout our property that have essentially become different “rooms” that we use throughout different parts of the day and through different seasons.”
Jon Wagner Senior Partner, Executive Creative Director, Ogilvy New York June 24, 2017
“I can’t say enough about Earth Designs. From their thoughtful and sensitive design that enhances the natural landscape rather than overpowering it, to the fantastic team of landscapers, I couldn’t recommend Earth Design more. And the fact that they are a worker-owned cooperative makes it all the more rewarding and meaningful to work with them!”
Stephen Apkon Founder at Jacob Burns Film Center June 25, 2017
“Aja and her team at Earth Designs have done an incredible job over the years helping us with our landscaping. From design to maintenance, they’ve created a serene, lush environment that blends in beautifully with the natural surroundings and compliments our home perfectly. It’s always a pleasure working them.”
Brad Ford August 12, 2017