Technical and Financial Resources for Urban Farmers in NYS

January 27, 2021


Learn about technical and financial resources available for urban farmers in New York State. This webinar will introduce you to urban agriculture field staff from a variety of organizations that provide direct support for urban farmers and community gardeners. Urban farmers will also share their experience working with these field staff and ways to participate in the programs and services offered by each organization. This event is hosted by USDA NRCS.

AGENDA:
Blake Glover (USDA NRCS, State Conservationist) - Welcome and Opening Remarks

Richard Ball (New York State Commissioner of Agriculture) - Overview of Urban and Community Agriculture in New York State

Karen Washington (Garden of Happiness, Rise and Root Farm) - Learn how one urban farmer identified and utilized government resources for urban agriculture.

Joseph Heller (USDA NRCS, Urban Conservationist) and Onika Abraham (Farm School NYC) - Overview of USDA technical and financial resources for urban farmers. A unique example of how partnerships help foster stronger connections within New York City's agriculture community.

Kim Vallejo (NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, New York City Team Director) - Resources for urban and community gardens from the State of New York.

Liz Camps (USDA NRCS, District Conservationist) - NRCS technical and financial assistance programs for urban farmers will be explained with examples from a current participant.

Lynnette Wright (USDA FSA) - Increase knowledge of financial assistance through the loan programs. Hear from participants about help they received through FSA.

Yolanda Gonzalez (Cornell Cooperative Extension, Harvest New York, Urban Agriculture Specialist) - CCE offers production, marketing, food safety training and more. Hear from past participants about how these trainings have had a positive impact on their urban and community agriculture operation.

Register for the event to receive a link to the zoom webinar. Additional information will be provided for break out rooms that will take place immediately after the event for one-on-one interactions with the urban agriculture specialists.

Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to attend or participate in this meeting should contact Lynnette Wright, Public Affairs Specialist, at 315-477-6309 or Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.

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.