Controlled Environment Agriculture

January 3, 2018
Controlled Environment Agriculture

Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) is an advanced and intensive form of hydroponically-based agriculture. Plants are grown within a controlled environment so that horticultural practices can be optimized.

CEA techniques are not simpler than older systems for growing plants. Indeed, they demand sound knowledge of chemistry, horticulture, engineering, plant physiology, plant pathology, computers and entomology. A wide range of skills as well as a natural inclination to attend to details are necessary for a person to operate a successful CEA production in either a research or commercial setting.

The Cornell CEA program has worked with many different types of CEA facilities through the years. They developed a greenhouse hydroponic production method geared toward local food production. A prototype facility was built in Ithaca in the late 1990's and continues to function today producing more than 1000 heads of lettuce every day of the year. The CEA team continues to do research in the areas of supplemental lighting and commercial hydroponic vegetable production.


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Upcoming Events

2025 Agroforestry Field Day Series -- Tour of Agroforestry and Silvopasture Systems

September 4, 2025
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Goshen, NY

Interested in incorporating agroforestry practices into your farm? Join us for a series of workshops co-hosted by CCE Ulster, Orange, and Harvest NY with Mastwood Farms, Black Creek Farm and Nursery and Scenic Hudson. 

On this evening, join project director Alix Daguin and other staff at All One One All Farm in Goshen, NY for a two hour walk-and-talk tour to learn about the agroforestry systems they have planted at their regenerative farm which integrates livestock and tree crops. Successes, challenges, as well as systems of implementation and management will be covered.

2025 Cornell High-Cannabinoid Hemp Cannabis sativa Field Day

Event Offers DEC Credits

September 10, 2025
8:30 am - 6:00 pm
Geneva, NY

Join us for a full day of learning and discussion, connecting and having fun! The Cornell Cannabis sativa L. (Hemp) Field Day features interactive workshops, demonstrations, and panel discussions on the latest industry advancements for New York growers and other stakeholders. Topics include:
  • controlled environment agriculture
  • soil health and composting
  • disease management and tissue culture
  • genetics of color and minor cannabinoids
  • post-harvest, drying, and curing
  • NYS Office of Cannabis Management updates and fireside chat

Cultivating Climate Resilience of Urban Agriculture in New York City

September 24, 2025
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
New York, NY

A Panel Presentation and Hands-on Soil Health Demo!

Join the New York Climate Exchange and Cornell Cooperative Extension's Ag Climate Resiliency Program, New York Soil Health, and Harvest NY for a Soil Health Field Day in Governor's Island. This event focuses on best practices for building climate resilience on urban farms and is part of the 2025 Soil Health and Climate Resilience Field Days. It will offer a farm tour, as well as valuable insights and hands-on demonstrations to enhance soil health through biochar applications.

Whether you're a seasoned farmer or just getting started, this event is perfect for anyone who wants to learn the basics of climate resilience, adaptation planning, and soil health-- hearing directly from urban farmers in New York City. 

Announcements

New Produce Auctions in NYS!

With the opening of the new Augusta Produce Auction on August 19th, New York State now has 11 produce auctions! See the new map of produce auction locations across the state and contact information.

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.