Growing, Washing and Packing High Tunnel Winter Greens: Doing It and Doing It Well

January 18, 2018


NOFA-NY 2018 Winter Conference: Pre-Conference Event
This event promises to help growers bring their winter greens production to the next level -- both in the high tunnel and in the packshed. There will be an emphasis on best management practices in the high tunnel, especially practices which support long term soil health and fertility. In the packshed, processing efficiency and food safety will both be stressed.

The day will begin at 9:00 am in conference room Broadway 1, with workshops on issues and opportunities in winter high tunnel production and best practices for postharvest handling, including food safety concerns.

Upon completion of the workshops at 10:30 am, everyone will board a bus and travel to Paul and Sandy Arnold's Pleasant Valley Farm in Argyle, NY for a farm tour and farmer-led discussions in the high tunnel and packshed. A farm to table lunch, with a vegetarian option, will be served at the farm. After lunch, the tours and discussions will continue and then everyone will come together for a Q&A session with hot cider and light snacks. The bus will leave the farm at about 3:15 pm and should be back at the hotel by 4:00 pm. 

Presenters: Chris Callahan, Robert Hadad and Judson Reid
Hosts: Paul, Sandy & Kim Arnold, Pleasant Valley Farm

You must be pre-registered to attend this event.

Visit NOFA-NY's Winter Conference website for more information and to register.

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.