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

How to Grow Edible Mushrooms on Logs

April 12, 2025
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Upper Manhattan, NY

Join Cornell's network of Community Mushroom Educators and the NYRP Urban Ag team to learn how to grow Shiitake mushrooms on logs. This hands-on workshop will include plenty of opportunity to practice drilling and filling logs with shiitake mushroom spawn. In addition to experiential learning, we'll explore the benefits of mushroom cultivation and tour the NYRP log yard, discussing best practices for maintaining a successful outdoor mushroom-growing system.

NOTE: THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL. Waitlist registrations being accepted.

Compost Café: BioChar

April 16, 2025
12:00 noon EDT

At this virtual event, Karen Guzman, Harvest NY Urban Garden Specialist, will discuss biochar in urban agriculture. Hear about the the history of biochar, explore some of its environmental benefits, and learn how this innovative solution can transform urban growing spaces. Learn how biochar can be used to creatively manage organic waste and enhance sustainability in your own community. 

Announcements

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.

NYS Urban Growers Pest Management Needs Assessment

As part of a multi-year project exploring non-spray pest management options that are economically and environmentally sustainable for urban farms, we conducted a needs assessment with urban growers across New York State. The New York State Urban Growers Pest Management Needs Assessment presents findings on current pest management practices, challenges, and topics of future interest.