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

Pruning & Fruit Tree Health 101 (Flushing, NY)

February 22, 2026
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Flushing, NY

Join us at Ridgewood Community Garden for a free, hands-on workshop with CCE Harvest NY Urban Garden Specialist Karen Guzman. Participants will learn about basic tree maintenance and pruning techniques. Proper winter care helps trees conserve energy, prevent damage from cold weather, and prepare for growth in the spring. 

NOTE: This event was postponed from January 25 to February 22 due to the weather.

Urban Ag Food Safety Webinar

March 11, 2026
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Urban and small-scale producers are encouraged to join us for the Urban Ag Food Safety webinar, featuring speakers from Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell IPM. We will explore the 'why' behind food safety, providing a basic overview and diving into specific urban ag considerations including water, pest, rodent, and soil health challenges. We will touch on the regulation and marketing landscape, and share resources for learning more. Bring your questions!

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 available from the CCE Harvest New York team. Learn more about the 2026 Community Gardens Soil Testing Program.

2025 Year in Review

2025 was another year of growth and accomplishment for CCE Harvest NY! Our 2025 Year in Review highlights our impacts and details our work.