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.

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

April 4, 2026
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.