Urban Agriculture

Urban AgricultureCornell Cooperative Extension's Urban Agriculture program provides support for urban agriculture in all five boroughs of New York City and across the state. With an emphasis on growing for market, we serve urban farmers through educational programming, technical assistance, and research. Our program areas include production, marketing, regulations, food safety, and urban agriculture's social and environmental impacts. Reach out to the Urban Agriculture team:

Sam Anderson, Urban Agriculture Specialist
Yolanda Gonzalez, Urban Agriculture Specialist
Makela Elvy, NYC Urban Gardens Specialist
Mallory Hohl, Western NY Urban Gardens Specialist
Kwesi Joseph, NYC Urban Gardens Specialist

The Cornell Cooperative Extension Urban Agriculture Program offers an email publication,
NYC Market Growers Update. This occasional publication is focused on production-oriented resources for NYC urban farmers who are growing for market or growing at a similar scale. 

Join the NYC CRAFT Google Group to stay informed on all Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training events happening in our area. NYC CRAFT is a cooperative model encouraging enhanced educational and networking opportunities for farmers across the NYC region.

For more frequent updates on our work:

Harvest NY Instagram




Relevant Event

Log Inoculation Party

April 28, 2024
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
New York, NY

Management Practices for High Organic Matter Soils: Urban Case Studies

Sam Anderson, Urban Agriculture Specialist
Harvest New York

Last Modified: February 6, 2024
Management Practices for High Organic Matter Soils: Urban Case Studies

We are exploring management practices for vegetable farmers with high organic matter soils. These soils are usually found in urban growing areas as urban farmers typically grow in imported soil mixtures that have been constructed over time and in high tunnels where leaching events are limited. In both cases, we see that soil pH and calcium levels can increase due to alkaline irrigation water and with grower inputs such as high levels of compost and/or fertilizer. We commonly see limited plant nutrient uptake due to high soil pH. We have produced four "Management Practices for Urban Soil Health" case studies sharing project updates in our urban cover crop, pH adjustment, and bulk density adjustment work. In each case study, we are looking at the effect of the management practice on soil and crop health. 


Field Guide: Arthropod Pests of NYC Vegetables

Sam Anderson, Urban Agriculture Specialist
Harvest New York

Last Modified: January 24, 2024
Field Guide: Arthropod Pests of NYC Vegetables

Arthropod Pests of NYC Vegetables aims to help urban farmers and gardeners find, identify, and understand the most common and important insects and other arthropod pests found in New York City farms and gardens. Some of these pests are rarely mentioned in other guides but are common in NYC. The guide emphasizes scouting tips, including how to identify pests by the damage they leave behind, even when you can't find the insect itself.


Urban Agriculture in New York State

Yolanda Gonzalez, Urban Agriculture Specialist
Harvest New York

Last Modified: December 14, 2023
Urban Agriculture in New York State

Urban Agriculture in New York State: A Study of New York's Urban Agriculture Landscape and Recommendations for Administrative and Legislative Action, 2022

This report examines urban agriculture across New York State to create a snapshot of the industry and to provide policy recommendations to maximize the benefits of urban agriculture. In partnership with the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM), the Harvest NY Urban Ag team identified the major forms of urban agriculture currently practiced in urban centers across the state and the impacts that urban agricultural practices and markets have on access to locally grown food, job creation, education opportunities, and the environment. The study concludes with recommendations for legislative and administrative action from urban agriculture practitioners to further advance urban agriculture as it is practiced across the state.


How to Create Habitat for Beneficial Insects

Yolanda Gonzalez, Urban Agriculture Specialist
Harvest New York

Last Modified: June 13, 2023
How to Create Habitat for Beneficial Insects

The How to Create Habitat for Beneficial Insects factsheet will teach you what attracts and keeps beneficial insects on your urban farm or garden.

Beneficial insects include a diverse collection of pollinators — not just honey bees — as well as flies, wasps, beetles, bugs and other insects that kill pests. While not technically insects, spiders and predatory mites also serve as natural enemies of pests.

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La hoja informativa Cómo crear un hábitat para los insectos benéficos le enseñará lo que atrae y mantiene a los insectos benéficos en su granja o jardín urbano.


Beneficial Insects on NYC Farms Pocket Guide

Sam Anderson, Urban Agriculture Specialist
Harvest New York

Last Modified: November 8, 2022
Beneficial Insects on NYC Farms Pocket Guide

The Beneficial Insects on NYC Farms Pocket Guide provides information on beneficial insects commonly found on New York City farms as well as how to recognize and identify them.

Beneficial insects in this guide refers to natural enemies of pests as well as pollinator insects, like bees.

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Esta guía brinda información sobre los insectos benéficos que se encuentran comúnmente en las granjas de la ciudad de Nueva York, así como también cómo reconocerlos e identificarlos.


Guide to Farming in New York State Available in English and Spanish

Yolanda Gonzalez, Urban Agriculture Specialist
Harvest New York

Last Modified: April 22, 2022

For nearly two decades, the Guide to Farming in New York State has been the Cornell Small Farms Program's go-to resource for those looking to start a farm business, and has been referenced by both new and experienced farmers alike! As a living document, the guide is regularly updated and is a valuable reference material for CCE educators, ag service providers, and farmers throughout New York State and beyond. The guide includes straightforward and readable fact sheets that summarize key information, and points readers toward other local and state resources, to leverage opportunities and answer key questions for farmers. 

It is important to make this information accessible to all farmers, including our Spanish-speaking farm owners, supervisors, and employees, whose contributions are vital to NYS agricultural sectors and will define the future of the NYS food system. The decision to create a Spanish language version of the guide, called "Guia para Granjas en Nueva York," is part of a larger effort to promote greater access to agricultural information and opportunities and support new and beginning Latino/a/x farmers to overcome challenges to access land and create successful farm business. 


Vegetable Planting Guide for the New York City Area

Yolanda Gonzalez, Urban Agriculture Specialist
Harvest New York

Last Modified: July 28, 2020
Vegetable Planting Guide for the New York City Area

This handy table lists common vegetables grouped by the approximate planting times in the New York City area. Find out what crops will fare well in early Spring plantings, late Spring or early Summer plantings, or that are hardy enough to be planted in late Summer or in the Fall.


NYC Agricultural Soil Survey

Sam Anderson, Urban Agriculture Specialist
Harvest New York

Last Modified: February 10, 2020
NYC Agricultural Soil Survey

In order to better understand the unique soils used in New York City's urban farms, Cornell Cooperative Extension's (CCE) urban agriculture program is conducting the NYC Survey of Agricultural Soils. 


Expanding Specialty Mushroom Production on Urban and Rural Farms

Yolanda Gonzalez, Urban Agriculture Specialist
Harvest New York

Last Modified: July 8, 2019
Expanding Specialty Mushroom Production on Urban and Rural Farms

As a response to the growing demand for both mushrooms and technical production knowledge, Yolanda Gonzalez, Urban Agriculture Specialist from Harvest NY, and the Cornell Small Farms Program, along with partners Farm School NYC, Just Food, and Grow NYC, were recently awarded two multi-year grants.  The first grant is the USDA NIFA Grant "Expanding Specialty Mushroom Production on Urban and Rural Small Farms," which will engage growers, service provider organizations, and industry partners to enhance the collective knowledge base and capacity of farmers to grow specialty mushrooms and sell them profitably to local and regional markets within 250 miles of New York City.  The second grant is the Northeast SARE Professional Development Program "Spawning a network of northeast mushroom educators serving urban and rural farmer audiences," increasing the educational capacity through a network of Community Mushroom Educators throughout the region.


NYC Urban Agriculture Website

Last Modified: January 30, 2019
NYC Urban Agriculture Website

The City of New York created a website in 2018 devoted to urban agriculture resources and questions. The website summarizes New York City programs and regulations urban farms and gardens and provides key contacts within city government and for other service providers. 


Cornell High Tunnels

Last Modified: January 29, 2019
Cornell High Tunnels

Soil-based urban growers around the country are increasingly adding high tunnels to extend the season, expand which crops they can grow, and ramp up production in small spaces. The Cornell High Tunnels site includes excellent resources on buying and building the structures, figuring out the economics of adding a high tunnel, and guides for growing vegetables, fruit, and flowers. 


Controlled Environment Agriculture

Last Modified: January 3, 2018
Controlled Environment Agriculture

Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) is an advanced and intensive form of hydroponically-based agriculture. Plants are grown within a controlled environment so that horticultural practices can be optimized.

CEA techniques are not simpler than older systems for growing plants. Indeed, they demand sound knowledge of chemistry, horticulture, engineering, plant physiology, plant pathology, computers and entomology. A wide range of skills as well as a natural inclination to attend to details are necessary for a person to operate a successful CEA production in either a research or commercial setting.

Guide to Urban Farming in New York State

Last Modified: January 3, 2018
Guide to Urban Farming in New York State

Are you interested in or currently farming in a city? Do you wonder how to access land, how to reclaim a contaminated site, how to maximize use of a small growing space, or how to most successfully target your urban market?

The 
Guide to URBAN Farming in NYS, produced by the Cornell Small Farms Program, answers these and many other common questions about farming in urban environments, and can help you launch, continue, or expand your urban farm business.

Healthy Soils, Healthy Communities

Last Modified: January 3, 2018
Healthy Soils, Healthy Communities

The Healthy Soils, Healthy Communities project is a research and education partnership with New York's urban gardeners and others interested in healthy gardening. We help people make more informed decisions to address concerns about lead and other contaminants in gardens, farms, and other community spaces.

The Healthy Soils, Healthy Communities website includes information on soil contaminants (including soil testing), healthy gardening practices, compost (at home and in gardens, schools, and other community spaces), and other resources. 

USDA's Urban Agriculture Toolkit

Last Modified: December 22, 2017
USDA's Urban Agriculture Toolkit

USDA's Urban Agriculture Toolkit is an electronic document that helps urban and small farms navigate more than 70 helpful resources, including technical assistance and financing opportunities. It focuses on some of the most pressing challenges confronting urban producers such as land access, soil quality, water resources, capital and financing, infrastructure, market development, production strategies, and applying for federal, state or private foundation grants. University extension service partners in Chicago and Indianapolis helped develop cost estimates for starting urban farms and the toolkit includes information on best practices and check lists for start-ups and early-stage producers planning outdoor or indoor operations.



Upcoming Events

Log Inoculation Party

April 28, 2024
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
New York, NY

Announcements

2023 Year in Review Released

2023 was an impactful year for CCE Harvest NY! Our major partners include NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, NYC Department of Education, NYS Office of Cannabis Management, NYS Berry Growers Association, Scenic Hudson, and many more. We thank the gardeners, farmers, processors, and school food authorities that we serve. Please reach out with questions on any of our success stories highlighted in our 2023 Year in Review.
  • A Study of Urban Agriculture in New York State Released
  • Insect Identification for NYC Farmers and Gardeners
  • Harvest NY Offers Education, Fresh Produce, and Job Readiness Training to the Rochester Community
  • A New Community Garden in Nassau County
  • Collaboration Leads to New Garden Opening and Educational Opportunities for Families in Transitional Housing
  • Buffalo Urban Farm Day Showcases City's Flourishing Urban Growing Community
  • Urban Agriculture Curriculum Design Influenced by Stakeholder Feedback
  • Five Years of 30% NY Initiative Success
  • Local Foods for Schools
  • Buffalo Farm to School is a Net Positive
  • Supporting Minority and Women-Owned Businesses in New York State
  • CCE and Cornell Educators Connect at Climate Symposium
  • Development of a Statewide Agritourism Program
  • A Big Year for Cannabis sativa in New York
  • Berry Research in NY to Inform Effective Fungicide Strategies


Field Guide: Arthropod Pests of NYC Vegetables

Arthropod Pests of NYC Vegetables aims to help urban farmers and gardeners find, identify, and understand the most common and important insects and other arthropod pests found in New York City farms and gardens. Some of these pests are rarely mentioned in other guides but are common in NYC. The guide emphasizes scouting tips, including how to identify pests by the damage they leave behind, even when you can't find the insect itself.

This guide was created as a collaboration between Cornell Cooperative Extension's Harvest New York team and the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program.