Resilient Gardens Symposium

August 10, 2024


Cornell Garden-Based Learning team, CCE Harvest NY, and New York State Seed to Supper are excited to announce that we will be hosting a one-day Resilient Gardens Symposium in New York City focused on culturally relevant gardening skills adapted to climate change for the unique resource needs of urban gardeners. The day's focus will be on addressing barriers for beginning gardeners most affected by post-pandemic food insecurity, hearing from leaders on innovative ways to overcome these issues in cities and connecting resources between Cornell Cooperative Extension and leading community gardens. 

The symposium will have many invited guests from the NYC area community gardens as well as Seed to Supper participants, volunteers, and coordinators. We will hear talks from several community garden leaders on topics relevant to garden education, community gardening and Seed to Supper goals such as:

Our Keynote: DK Kinard - "Cultivating Resilience: Building Solidarity Through Community Connections & Collective Relationships"

• Perl Egendorf, Professor, Pace University- "Adventures in Composting - Stories and Science from the City"
• Corey Blant, Director of Urban Agriculture, New York Restoration Project - "Accessibility in Gardens"
• Alexis Luna, Will Thomson & Chit Yee Ng, Share Shed NYC - "Growing & Strengthening Sharing Networks Amongst NYC Urban Growers"
• Kwesi Joseph, Urban Garden Specialist, Harvest New York - "Mental Health and Healing in Community Gardening"

The Symposium will host talks from CCE specialists on topics relevant to urban gardeners including:

• Mark Bridgen, Professor, Long Island Horticultural Research and Extension Center - "Plant Propagation for Community Gardens",
• Sam Anderson, Urban Agriculture Specialist, Harvest New York - "Garden Pests in a Changing Climate"
• Carla Crim, Subject Educator, Cornell Cooperative Extension Delaware County - "Integrating Cut Flowers in Community Gardens"
• Jody L. Gangloff-Kaufmann, Senior Extension Associate, NYS Integrated Pest Management - "Urban Pests"

And, there will be garden tours to Harlem Community Gardens!

Group A: Harlem Walking Tour (40 minutes of walking to and from sites):

• Garden of Love: Leader, Sade Boyewa El, 302-304 W 116th St, New York, NY
• St. Nicholas Miracle Garden: Leader, Judi Desire, 330 St. Nicholas Ave, New York, NY
• 127th Youth Garden + Market: Leader, Judi Desire, 77 W. 127th St., New York, NY

Community Garden Leadership Program Information Session - June 4

June 4, 2025
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

The Community Garden Leadership Program is an online program that prepares individuals to enhance their leadership skills to strengthen community gardens throughout New York State. You will learn management best practices and operational skills. It is a year-long program requiring participants to meet as a cohort each month and connect with experienced professional, subject matter experts, and faculty to foster a supportive distance learning experience.

To learn more about the program, we are offering virtual informational sessions in June!

Intercropping with Mushrooms

June 8, 2025
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Bronx, NY

Join us for an afternoon of hands-on learning at Morning Glory! This free community workshop, led by Urban Agriculture Specialists Karen Guzman and Yolanda Gonzalez from Cornell Cooperative Extension, is perfect for anyone looking to diversify their garden harvest by interplanting with mushrooms. Learn how to maximize your garden space with small-scale techniques to increase productivity. You'll get guidance on growing three different types of mushrooms, from site selection to harvest. A food demo from a local chef will also explore the versatility of cooking with mushrooms! 

Community Garden Leadership Program Information Session - June 12

June 12, 2025
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

The Community Garden Leadership Program is an online program that prepares individuals to enhance their leadership skills to strengthen community gardens throughout New York State. You will learn management best practices and operational skills. It is a year-long program requiring participants to meet as a cohort each month and connect with experienced professional, subject matter experts, and faculty to foster a supportive distance learning experience.

To learn more about the program, we are offering virtual informational sessions in June!

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.