2023 Spring Urban Agriculture Conference

May 6, 2023


Join us for a day of workshops (including a rain barrel workshop), panel discussions, and tabling by local organizations and businesses. The keynote speaker is Leah Penniman of Soul Fire Farm (with ASL interpreter). CCE Monroe County Master Gardeners will be conducting complimentary soil testing (texture/pH) for those interested. All individuals, groups, and skill levels are welcome!

Rochester's Urban Ag Conference welcomes an experienced panel of five experts, including CCE Harvest NY's Urban Community Gardens Specialist Makela Elvy, to discuss issues such as environmental justice and racial equity, and how those topics relate to the urban growing scene and beyond. The panel will be moderated by Nathaniel Mich, executive director of Taproot Collective, following and corresponding to the keynote presentation from Leah Penniman.

Lunch will be provided; vegetarian options included. Rochester On the Move will be on-site for childcare (children ages 10 years and up only).

COST
Pay what you can, $1-20; no one will be turned away.

HOSTS
CCE Harvest NY, CCE Monroe County, Foodlink, and the City of Rochester

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.