Technical and Financial Resources for Urban Farmers in NYS

December 20, 2022


This online event will introduce you to urban agriculture field staff from a variety of organizations that provide direct support for urban farmers and community gardeners.

AGENDA

• Blake Glover (USDA NRCS, State Conservationist) -- Welcome and Opening Remarks
• Joseph Heller (USDA NRCS, Urban Conservationist) -- Overview of USDA technical and financial resources for urban farmers.
• Annette Nielsen (NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, New York City Lead) -- Resources for urban and community gardens from the State of New York.
• Tony Capraro (USDA NRCS, District Conservationist) -- NRCS technical and financial assistance programs for urban farmers.
• Lynnette Wright (USDA FSA) -- Increase knowledge of financial assistance through the loan programs.
• Yolanda Gonzalez (Cornell Cooperative Extension, Urban Agriculture Specialist, + CCE Urban Gardener Specialists in NYS) -- Technical Assistance and educational programming for urban growers.

REGISTER for the event to receive a link to the Zoom webinar.

Rochester Soil Health Day

September 1, 2026
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Rochester, NY

Join Cornell Cooperative Extension Harvest NY, New York State Soil Health, and Foodlink for interactive activities focused on soil health and an opportunity to get your garden soil screened for lead (reservation required).

IPM Field Day for Urban Growers

September 10, 2026
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Buffalo, NY

Join us for a hands-on field day exploring integrated pest management and season extension tools for urban growing spaces and the opportunity to build community with local growers!

This event will focus on best practices for using row covers and rat mitigation. Check out our CCE demonstration trial using insect exclusion netting to manage swede midge, an invasive fly that causes damage to brassica crops. Explore how to identify rat activity, reduce attractants, and strengthen site management. Hear from local growers on how they manage pests with a focus on organic management and how they extend the season on their farms and gardens.

Resilient Gardens Conference

September 18 - September 19, 2026
Fri: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm; Sat: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Poughkeepsie, NY

The third Resilient Gardens Conference will focus on culturally relevant gardening skills and community garden management for the unique resource needs of urban gardeners. This two-day event will feature education and practical skills on day one; we'll hear from leaders of diverse stakeholder groups on strategies to overcome these issues in cities and rural communities and connecting resources between Cornell Cooperative Extension and leading community gardens. The second day is optional and will include tours of local gardening projects across Poughkeepsie and Kingston NY. 

This event is primarily open to Seed to Supper Garden Educators, CCE Educators, Master Gardener Volunteers and Upstate Seed to Supper Program Participants, as well as partner Community Gardens involved with Harvest NY.