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December 2021

No Events Scheduled at this Time

January 2022

Regulations, Certification, and the Specialty Mushroom Industry: GAPs, FSMA, and Food Safety

January 26, 2022
3:00pm - 4:30pm
Webinar #1,

Join the Cornell Small Farms Program and CCE Harvest NY in an opportunity to learn how to navigate the various regulations and certifications in a specialty mushroom enterprise. The type, location, scale, and markets of a given farm all affect the programs that farmers are required or can choose to join.

This session will cover how contamination is spread, provide an overview of microbial risk reduction, basic food safety practices, and clarify the differences between food safety audits vs. inspection. We will also hear directly from Smallhold, a NYC-based certified organic mushroom operation that uses a distributed farming network and local, urban farming hub to sell specialty mushrooms and is a participant in the GAPs certification program.

February 2022

Regulations, Certification, and the Specialty Mushroom Industry: Mushroom Production Certification

February 23, 2022
3:00pm - 4:30pm
Webinar #2,

Join the Cornell Small Farms Program and CCE Harvest NY in an opportunity to learn how to navigate the various regulations and certifications in a specialty mushroom enterprise. The type, location, scale, and markets of a given farm all affect the programs that farmers are required or can choose to join.

Several options exist for verification programs that growers can utilize to certify their production practices and increase their market potential. This webinar covers the practices and procedures for becoming Certified Organic, Certified Naturally Grown, and New York Grown and Certified. Hear from the people who offer these options and from mushroom growers who utilize them, and get your questions answered.

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Upcoming Events

Spring Gardening at Bissel Gardens

April 9, 2026
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Bronx, NY

Join us at Bissel Garden for a hands-on spring kickoff workday from 11:00 AM-3:00 PM! Help us wake the garden up for the season as we clear debris, plant early spring crops, and dive into the essentials of building healthy soil. Urban Garden Specialist Karen Guzman will lead the workday, guiding participants through conversations on crop planning, soil health, and seasonal planting. Whether you're a new gardener or a seasoned grower, come help set the garden up for a productive year ahead!  

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 Bed Workshop Series

April 23, 2026
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Brooklyn, NY

Join Connor Youngerman of Cornell Small Farms and the team at The Opportunity Hub for a hands-on, train-the-trainer workshop introducing Air-Pruned Raised Beds (APRBs) from construction to implementation. Designed to equip forestry practitioners, educators, and community leaders with the skills to replicate this model. This session will cover APRB design, recommended urban tree species, installation techniques, and basic troubleshooting. Participants will not only learn the fundamentals of APRBs as a tool for growing a diverse range of urban tree species but will also gain the knowledge and confidence to teach others how to build and manage them. 

Announcements

Community Garden Leadership Program - Application Open Now!

The Cornell Community Garden Leadership Program is a year-long online program that prepares individuals to enhance their leadership skills to strengthen community gardens throughout New York State. The program equips community gardeners with management best practices and operational skills to improve garden sustainability. The program also connects gardeners to regional resources, professional development opportunities, and a statewide community garden leadership network.

Register for a virtual information session to learn more about the program and discover if this program is the right fit for you. Each information session is typically 45min-1hr.

Session Dates: 
  • April 9 at 10am
  • April 14 at 12pm
  • April 22 at 5:30pm
  • May 7 at 12pm
  • May 11 at 5:30pm
Register for an Information Session HERE! 

**Please note: the program application closes on June 15th and will be sent to all who register for an information session.  


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.