Ag Climate Resiliency

Ag Climate ResiliencyHarvest NY's Ag Climate Resiliency program aims to mitigate the impact of climate change on New York's farms through education, adaptation of production practices, and preparation for extreme weather events. Additionally, the team emphasizes the important role farms play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration. Key practices include use of cover crops, agroforestry, rotational grazing, water management, manure management, and nitrogen-use efficiency.




Webinar Recordings: 2023 Hudson Valley Farming Series

Jenna Walczak, Ag Climate Resiliency Specialist
Harvest New York

Last Modified: March 27, 2023
Webinar Recordings: 2023 Hudson Valley Farming Series

The 2023 Hudson Valley Farming Series: Farming in a Changing Climate included six webinars with speakers presenting on carbon and nitrogen cycling in agriculture, financial and technical assistance for ag climate projects, biochar and soil amendments, rotational grazing, practical climate risk management, and climate battery greenhouses.


Factsheet: Greenhouse Gases and Soil Organic Carbon in Vegetable Production

Zach Spangler, Ag Climate Resiliency Specialist
Harvest New York

Last Modified: December 15, 2022
Factsheet: Greenhouse Gases and Soil Organic Carbon in Vegetable Production

The intersection of agricultural production and greenhouse gases is gathering increasing attention. This is an opportune time to consider how vegetable production interacts with carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions, and how using cover crops may alter this picture. 

The factsheet, Greenhouse Gases and Soil Organic Carbon in Vegetable Production and the Role of Cover Crops, discusses:

  • Sequestration of atmospheric carbon in agricultural soils as soil organic carbon (SOC). Is vegetable production impacting SOC?
  • Net greenhouse gas emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane (CH4) from the soil.
  • Impact of cover crops on soil organic carbon, nitrous oxide emissions, and other GHG emissions.



Upcoming Events

Companion Planting in the Food Garden--with Mushrooms!

November 12, 2025
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Brooklyn, NY

Companion planting (or intercropping) is an ancient method of increasing yields and maximizing growing space. Learn how to diversify your garden harvest while enjoying the mutual benefits of intercropping with mushrooms, such as improving soil health and water retention. Plan next spring's garden with guidance from Urban Agriculture Specialist Yolanda Gonzalez on growing three different types of mushrooms, from site selection to harvest. Take home a native plant to try!

NYC Mushroom Summit

December 5, 2025
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
New York, NY

The NYC Mushroom Summit, hosted by the Cornell Small Farms Program, will convene a regional network of mushroom farmers and educators from indoor, outdoor, and community production systems; restaurateurs, food creatives and chefs; and extension, government and industry representatives. This diverse group will work together to determine grower research and marketing needs, interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities, and community building initiatives. Group conversations and presentations will be structured around value added products, frontiers in mycology research, and peer-to-peer learning.

Pruning & Fruit Tree Health 101

December 13, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Cambria Heights, NY

Join us at Cambria Heights Community Garden for a free, hands-on workshop with CCE Harvest NY Urban Garden Specialist Karen Guzman. Participants will learn about basic tree maintenance and pruning techniques. Proper winter care helps trees conserve energy, prevent damage from cold weather, and prepare for growth in the spring.  

Announcements

New York Urban Farms Sustainable Pest Management Fact Sheet Series

Cornell Cooperative Extension has partnered with dozens of urban farms across New York State to demonstrate and evaluate sustainable pest management strategies. Together with farmers, we found success using control methods that prevent or reduce crop losses through exclusion strategies, crop timing, host resistance, the introduction of beneficial organisms, and more. Regardless of management strategy used, common requirements for success include a knowledge of the pest and disease complex, preventative deployment and commitment to the process. The New York Urban Farms Sustainable Pest Management Fact Sheet Series includes case studies highlighting pest management techniques that New York urban farms have found valuable.