Conserving Friendly Insects on Urban Farms and Gardens

February 23, 2023


How are you welcoming friendly insects to your urban farm or garden? Do you know who you're looking for?

Join us on Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 12 PM on Zoom to talk about incorporating plants into your farm or garden that provide food and shelter for insect predators and pollinators. Sam Anderson (Harvest NY) will talk about some of the beneficial insects he saw in NYC in 2022, and Amara Dunn (New York State Integrated Pest Management Program) will talk briefly about how to attract and protect friendly insects.

There will be plenty of time for conversation with other urban growers about what they are trying and what works for them. Bring your questions and stories! This event is FREE!

Register online to receive the Zoom link.

No upcoming events at this time.

New Produce Auctions in NYS!

Two new produce auctions are now open in New York State, bringing the total number of auctions to 10! See the new map of produce auction locations across the state and contact information.

Community Gardens Soil Testing Program Accepting Applications

Soil testing supports the growth and expansion of community gardens by protecting the health and safety of the food produced in these gardens. CCE Harvest NY, in partnership with the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets (AGM) and the Cornell Soil Health Lab, is offering eligible, food-producing gardens in New York State the opportunity to send soil samples for testing without charge.

The soil test will analyze samples for heavy metals and nutrient levels. Test results help gardeners make appropriate plans to produce high quality fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Technical support and education for participating growers will be provided by the CCE Harvest New York team. Learn more about the 2025 Community Gardens Soil Testing Program.

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.