NYS Cannabis sativa L. Guidebook

Daniela Vergara, Emerging Crops Specialist
Harvest New York

July 9, 2024
NYS Cannabis sativa L. Guidebook

The "NYS Cannabis sativa L Guidebook" is an essential resource for cultivators in New York State, offering comprehensive guidelines on regulatory compliance and best practices in cultivation. It provides instructions on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to ensure product quality and safety. The guidebook also includes Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, featuring preventative measures, recommended products, and reactive protocols to manage pest issues effectively. To assist with diligent record-keeping, the guidebook offers product tracking sheets, IPM scouting logs, and forms for tracking product applications, helping cultivators streamline their tasks and maintain compliance.

This guidebook not only provides actionable guidelines but also facilitates data collection in this newly established industry. By using the included forms and logs, cultivators can contribute valuable data to help improve industry standards and practices.

As the first version of this guidebook, it is designed to evolve based on feedback and insights gathered from the current growing season. This iterative approach ensures that the guidebook remains relevant and effective, adapting to the needs of cultivators as the industry continues to develop.




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Upcoming Events

Companion Planting in the Food Garden--with Mushrooms!

November 12, 2025
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Brooklyn, NY

Companion planting (or intercropping) is an ancient method of increasing yields and maximizing growing space. Learn how to diversify your garden harvest while enjoying the mutual benefits of intercropping with mushrooms, such as improving soil health and water retention. Plan next spring's garden with guidance from Urban Agriculture Specialist Yolanda Gonzalez on growing three different types of mushrooms, from site selection to harvest. Take home a native plant to try!

NYC Mushroom Summit

December 5, 2025
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
New York, NY

The NYC Mushroom Summit, hosted by the Cornell Small Farms Program, will convene a regional network of mushroom farmers and educators from indoor, outdoor, and community production systems; restaurateurs, food creatives and chefs; and extension, government and industry representatives. This diverse group will work together to determine grower research and marketing needs, interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities, and community building initiatives. Group conversations and presentations will be structured around value added products, frontiers in mycology research, and peer-to-peer learning.

Pruning & Fruit Tree Health 101

December 13, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Cambria Heights, NY

Join us at Cambria Heights Community Garden for a free, hands-on workshop with CCE Harvest NY Urban Garden Specialist Karen Guzman. Participants will learn about basic tree maintenance and pruning techniques. Proper winter care helps trees conserve energy, prevent damage from cold weather, and prepare for growth in the spring.  

Announcements

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.