2025 Cornell High-Cannabinoid Hemp Cannabis sativa Field Day

September 10, 2025


Join us for a full day of learning and discussion, connecting and having fun! The Cornell Cannabis sativa L. (Hemp) Field Day features interactive workshops, demonstrations, and panel discussions on the latest industry advancements for New York growers and other stakeholders. Topics include:

• controlled environment agriculture
• soil health and composting
• disease management and tissue culture
• genetics of color and minor cannabinoids
• post-harvest, drying, and curing
• NYS Office of Cannabis Management updates and fireside chat

DEC credits available. Peer-based learning encouraged! Field Day will happen rain or shine. Be prepared for the weather and outdoor walking. No consumption of cannabis products on campus.

COST: $35 per person, includes lunch.

REGISTRATION: Pre-registration is requested by Monday, September 1, 2025 for a lunch count. REGISTER online! Registrations also accepted at the door but lunch cannot be guaranteed.

8:30 am Welcome and overview of the day (presentation) (Top 5 Cannabis sativa Research Papers for 2025) -- Daniela Vergara, Emerging Crops Specialist, CCE Harvest NY

8:55 CBD Flowers Postharvest Drying and Curing (handout) (presentation) -- Chang Chen, Assistant Professor, Food Science, Cornell AgriTech, and Yousoon Baek, Lecturer, School of Integrative Plant Science, Horticulture Section, Cornell

9:20 The Genetic Basis of Minor Cannabinoid Production in Cannabis sativa (presentation) -- George Stack, Postdoctoral Associate, Larry Smart Lab, School of Integrative Plant Science, Horticulture Section, Cornell AgriTech

9:45  Purple Color: The Genetic Basis for Anthocyanin Accumulation in Cannabis sativa (presentation) -- Mike Quade, Technician and Graduate Student, Larry Smart Lab, School of Integrative Plant Science, Horticulture Section, Cornell AgriTech

10:05 Break

10:30 Biostimulants and Cannabis (handout) (presentation) -- Adam Gannon, Master's of Professional Studies Student in Cannabis Science, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell

10:55  Panel Discussion: Living soil, regenerative agriculture --

• Derek Montana, Blackbird Gardens
• Gaetano Scollo, Living Soil MDV
• Caleb Johnson, Tap Root Fields
  
• Amy Hepworth, Hepworth Farms
• Precious Brown, moderator, Entertaining & Elevating

12:00 pm NYS Office of Cannabis Management updates

12:20 Meet the sponsors

12:40 Lunch and networking -- Jordan Hall pavilion

2:10 What's in My Fertilizer (handout) -- Neil Mattson, Professor, School of Integrated Plant Science, Cornell

2:35 Acidification of Irrigation Water for Soil Based Systems (handout) (presentation) -- Judson Reid, Vegetable Specialist, CCE Cornell Vegetable Program, and CCE Harvest NY Team Leader

3:00 Compost Use for Improved Soil: The Role of Feedstocks in Circular Economy (handout) (video) -- Jean Bonhotal, Waste Management Specialist and Director, Cornell Waste Management Institute in Soil and Crop Sciences

Outdoor Afternoon Session

Be prepared for the weather and outdoor walking.

Session 1

Held at Wellington

2025 Hemp Field Day flyer (PDF; 2234KB)

CRAFT Urban Farmer Meet up

June 23, 2026
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Long Island City, NY

Kick off the growing season with a networking event where growers can have conversations about plans for this year and discuss opportunities for collaboration. Members from the Harvest NY team will talk about the Urban Ag Labor Study. Food and seedlings will be provided. 

Urban Farming from the Ground Up

July 2, 2026
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Bronx, NY

Join CCE Harvest NY Specialist, Karen Guzman, to turn a community center into an urban farm! This is an open volunteer event, join us! 

Urban Agroforestry Summit

July 14, 2026
9:30 AM - 3:30 PM
New York, NY

Learn and network with urban agroforestry practitioners, service providers and city government partners on ways to scale agroforestry in NYC

Join the Cornell Small Farms Program and Harvest New York for the first annual NYC Urban Agroforestry Summit. Begin the day by learning from invited speakers who will explore the evolution, current landscape, and future potential of agroforestry within New York City's food systems and urban forestry initiatives.

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.