CRAFT Tour: Growing and Cooking Asian Vegetables

September 29, 2022


Have you ever wondered what the difference between all the "Asian greens" are? Seed catalogs tend to lump them all together but each one is distinct and unique in its own way. The tour at Choy Division will look at various greens, the cultures they belong to, and what culinary qualities are desirable when growing for an Asian community. We will touch lightly on general growing information, but the primary focus of our tour will be on how to select and harvest the variety of crops for different Asian communities. At the end of our farm tour, there will be an opportunity to taste these greens cooked using the Chinese method, hotpot.

Choy Division, founded in 2020 by Christina Chan, is a 1.25 acre diversified farm that focuses on growing east Asian heritage crops for the Asian American community. The farm offers a CSA and wholesale, and grows for food pantries, as well. Choy Division participates in a mutual aid program that invites community members to glean produce that is donated to Asian elders in NYC.

This will be a multilingual event, with live interpretation provided by the Hudson Valley Language Justice Collective. 

Transportation to the event is available if you RSVP by September 23. Email Yolanda Gonzalez to request transportation.

EVENT REGISTRATION: Register now to attend the CRAFT Tour.

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.

Earth Day Garden Workshop

April 20, 2026
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Farmingdale, NY

Celebrate Earth Day and welcome the growing season by learning how to make the most of your space as spring wakes up the garden. Join Cornell Urban Garden Specialist Karen Guzman for an interactive, hands-on session focused on building strong foundations for a productive year. This workshop will cover the state-wide soil testing program and why soil health is essential for long-term success, along with strategic crop planning techniques that help increase productivity and maximize the space in your garden. 

Air Pruned Raised Beds 101

April 24, 2026
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Upper Manhattan, NY

Join Connor Youngerman of Cornell Small Farms and NYRP's Parks & Urban Agriculture teams for an introduction to Air Pruned Raised Beds (APRBs) from construction to implementation. APRBs have been shown as an excellent method for growing a suite of urban tree species and hold great promise as a tool for forestry practitioners in NYC. This workshop will explore the in's and outs, including design, appropriate tree species, and basic troubleshooting (i.e. weeding). Participants will also get to help build and plant out two APRBs at NYRP's field facility.

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.