Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) Opportunities Info Session

January 19, 2024


This event hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension Harvest NY, Empire State Development and the NYC MWBE program will include overviews on both the NYS and NYC Minority & Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) programs, as well as a panel discussion that will give an overview the untapped potential for MWBEs to participate and benefit from the program.

This event is meant to provide invaluable insights, strategies, and resources for farm and food MWBEs seeking to navigate state contracting. This meeting will provide a networking opportunity for MWBE businesses, government agencies, advocacy groups, producers, distributors, and stakeholders in the food procurement industry in New York State.

A light lunch and morning refreshments will be provided. There is no charge to attend, but registration is required to ensure adequate numbers of handouts for attendees. Any questions can be directed to Precious Tshabalala.

AGENDA
Welcome remarks - Introduction
-- Overview of the purpose and goals for the meeting.
-- Importance of M/WBE participation in food procurement.

Current state of food procurement in NYS
-- Current procurement landscape.
-- Highlight opportunities for MWBEs.

Overview of the program in NYS/Legal and regulatory considerations
-- Overview of the MWBE certification process.
-- Compliance requirements for procurement.

Best practices and success stories
-- Strategies for building successful M/WBE partnerships.
-- Key initiatives and success stories.

MWBE capacity building
-- Resources for MWBEs: Training, support, and financing.
-- Information on technical assistance programs.

Q&A

Closing remarks and acknowledgements

Snacks and networking

How to Grow Edible Mushrooms on Logs

April 12, 2025
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Upper Manhattan, NY

Join Cornell's network of Community Mushroom Educators and the NYRP Urban Ag team to learn how to grow Shiitake mushrooms on logs. This hands-on workshop will include plenty of opportunity to practice drilling and filling logs with shiitake mushroom spawn. In addition to experiential learning, we'll explore the benefits of mushroom cultivation and tour the NYRP log yard, discussing best practices for maintaining a successful outdoor mushroom-growing system.

NOTE: THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL. Waitlist registrations being accepted.

Compost Café: BioChar

April 16, 2025
12:00 noon EDT

At this virtual event, Karen Guzman, Harvest NY Urban Garden Specialist, will discuss biochar in urban agriculture. Hear about the the history of biochar, explore some of its environmental benefits, and learn how this innovative solution can transform urban growing spaces. Learn how biochar can be used to creatively manage organic waste and enhance sustainability in your own community. 

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.

NYS Urban Growers Pest Management Needs Assessment

As part of a multi-year project exploring non-spray pest management options that are economically and environmentally sustainable for urban farms, we conducted a needs assessment with urban growers across New York State. The New York State Urban Growers Pest Management Needs Assessment presents findings on current pest management practices, challenges, and topics of future interest.