Remote GAPs Training and Farm Food Safety Plan Writing Session

January 27 - January 28, 2021


Join Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County, the Cornell Vegetable Program, Harvest NY, the Lake Ontario Fruit Team, and the Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program on January 27th for a remote GAPs training. Instructors will walk growers through how to conduct a risk assessment on their farm utilizing the seven areas of farm food safety. Participants will gain hands-on experience in creating a traceability system for their farm, as well as learn about packing house design with food safety principles guiding placement of equipment and suggested materials. Students will also learn about how to train their employees related to food safety and understand what they will need to implement on their farm in order to pass a third-party food safety audit, such as GAPs.

On January 28th growers can join us for a day focused on writing their farm food safety plan. Trainers will be joined by NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets Farm Products inspectors to give guidance and input for farms in creating their farm food safety plans to meet the needs for a potential audit. At the conclusion of day two growers will have all components of their farm food safety plans outlined with the most critical pieces.

COST AND REGISTRATION
The price is $35 for a farm to attend both days, or $10 to join on the second day for the farm food safety plan writing session. Day two is only for those who have previously attended a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training or GAPs training. The price for both days includes a "Farm Food Safety Decision Tree", worker training posters for use on the farm, and a flash drive pre-loaded to the farm food safety plan template, standard operating procedures, and log templates for use by the farm.

In order for a farm to participate, you must have the newer version of Microsoft Word loaded onto your computer, or be comfortable working within Google docs. We are utilizing Zoom for the training, you will need a high speed internet connection for smoothest participation experience. We also recommend a microphone to help in communication with both students and trainers. Registration is limited to 25 growers on either day so register by January 21 to ensure enough time to receive the workshop materials. Questions? Email Laura Biasillo

Register online through CCE Broome County

Companion Planting in the Garden -- With Mushrooms!

March 12, 2026
10:00 am - 11:30 am

Learn how to diversify your garden harvest with companion planting at this virtual workshop. Plan next spring's garden with guidance CCE Harvest NY Urban Agriculture Specialist Yolanda Gonzalez on growing three different types of mushrooms.

2026 Rochester Urban Agriculture Conference

March 21, 2026
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Rochester, NY

Join us for our annual Rochester Urban Agriculture Conference, a day of learning and connections featuring interactive workshops, community knowledge sharing, Fruition's Gift of Seed Experience, horticulture tables and displays, and more!

El Camino del Micelio: Cultivo de Hongos en la Primavera

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10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Manhattan, NY

Aprende a cultivar hongos de forma sencilla en tu huerto comunitario esta primavera con los equipos de Cornell Co-op Extension y GreenThumb. En este taller para principiantes y para cualquier persona interesada, Yolanda Gonzalez y Karen Guzman explorar?¡n cómo los hongos pueden apoyar la salud del suelo, cerrar ciclos de nutrientes y ofrecer alimentos nutritivos para tu comunidad. Practicaremos dos técnicas para cultivar setas en bolsas o camas de cultivo con materiales accesibles, y conversaremos sobre cómo integrar el cultivo de hongos en proyectos de huertos comunitarios.

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.