Whole Farm Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Planning (CAMP) Series

January 27 - February 17, 2026


Please join Ulster County CCE and CCE Harvest New York for a free four-part webinar and workshop series focused on building climate resilience on your farm. We will cover climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, learn how to access locally relevant historical climate data, and begin a climate adaptation plan or disaster preparedness plan for your farm.

By the end of the series, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to identify vulnerabilities in their operations, determine which strategies best address the issue, and secure funding to support project implementation. Webinars will be recorded and distributed to registrants who cannot attend synchronously. The series will be supplemented with optional weekly office hours continuing through 3/5.

Presented by: Kathryn Brignac, CCE Ulster, and Savanna Shelnutt and Kitty O'Neil, CCE Harvest NY.

Tentative Agenda

Week 1 (January 27) -- Intro to climate science, climate impacts to agriculture in the northeast, and adaptation and mitigation overview
This session will set the foundation for the series by introducing climate science and key climate trends affecting agriculture in the Northeast. Participants will gain a high-level understanding of climate impacts on farming systems and the role of adaptation and mitigation in building long-term farm resilience.

Week 2 (February 3) -- Translating climate impacts into farm risks, an overview of climate-smart practices, and brief introduction of whole farm resiliency planning
This session will build on the content introduced in Week 1 by translating climate impacts into specific risks for different farm types, including mixed-vegetable, tree fruit, and livestock operations. Participants will be introduced to a range of climate-smart agricultural practices and receive a brief overview of whole-farm resiliency planning as a framework for addressing these risks

Week 3 (February 10) -- Tools for farm climate resiliency planning, including but not limited to USDA's Adaptation Planning Handbook, Penn State's Ready Ag Handbook, Laura Lengnick's 5-Steps Plan, and web tools like the Cover Crop Selector Tool, Biochar Suitability Tool, COMET-Farm, etc.
This session will focus on practical tools and resources that support farm climate resiliency planning. Participants will be introduced to established planning frameworks and decision-support tools, including web-based climate-smart farming resources, mapping tools, and practice selection tools, to help evaluate risks, identify strategies, and inform on-farm decision-making.

Week 4 (February 17) -- Identifying and securing funding with guest speakers from state and federal funding agencies
This session will guide participants through the process of finding and securing funding for climate resilience work on-farm. With insights from guest speakers and a review of regional funding opportunities, participants will learn how to align whole-farm adaptation plans with funder priorities to improve application success.

Series cost: FREE! Register online!

Maximizing Your Garden Space

May 9, 2026
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Port Jefferson Station, NY

Celebrate spring and get your garden growing with this hands-on workshop on maximizing your garden space! Join Cornell Urban Garden Specialist Karen Guzman as she shares practical strategies to maximize limited space. Participants will learn about the current state-wide soil testing program and crop planning techniques designed to increase yields and extend the growing season.

Webinar: Impact of Microclimates on NYC Urban Ag

May 13, 2026
12:00 noon - 1:00 PM

Hear from Dan Olmstead of Cornell IPM on how NYC's microclimates differ from Borough to Borough and their impact on resilience planning. We will also be discussing the data collected from weather stations across urban gardens in the city.

Webinar: Biochar Applications on Urban Farms

June 10, 2026
12:00 noon - 1:00 PM

Hear from Deborah Aller, Cornell, about biochar applications on urban farms and its ability to act as a tool for soil health and climate mitigation. We will also be discussing the mission behind New York Center for Organics Recycling and Education (NYCORE).

Community Garden Leadership Program - Application Open Now!

The Cornell Community Garden Leadership Program is a year-long online program that prepares individuals to enhance their leadership skills to strengthen community gardens throughout New York State. The program equips community gardeners with management best practices and operational skills to improve garden sustainability. The program also connects gardeners to regional resources, professional development opportunities, and a statewide community garden leadership network.

Register for a virtual information session to learn more about the program and discover if this program is the right fit for you. Each information session is typically 45min-1hr.

Session Dates: 

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.