Soil Biology Field Day

June 28, 2023


Join Harvest NY's Urban Ag Specialists and special guests from the Cornell Soil Health Program and School of Integrative Plant Science for a hands-on afternoon all about life in the soil, from microbes to mollusks. We'll cover new research on the microbiomes of urban ag soils; pests, beneficial insects, and other arthropods in the soil; strategies to support healthy soil biology on urban farms; biological amendments, with an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi demonstration; and a wine cap mushroom inoculation demo.

Agenda:

• Welcome & introductions
• Intro to New York Soil Health and Harlem Grown
• Basics of soil biology and pests & beneficials
• Soil management practices to support soil biology and amendments
• Wine cap mushroom inoculation demonstration

FREE! Reserve a spot now!

Upland Rice Farming in New York

August 5, 2025
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Clermont, NY

Join us at Home Farm for a field day focused on making upland rice production work in the Hudson Valley.

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.