New York State Urban Growers Pest Management Needs Assessment
Lori Koenick, Extension Support Specialist
Cornell Vegetable Program

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.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, through the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number [LNE21-421 "Sustainable Pest Management for New York Urban Farmers"].

Upcoming Events
Fungi, Forage & Forest
June 12, 2026 : Friday Evening
Buckets, Beds & Totems
Explore mushroom cultivation techniques featuring oyster mushrooms, wine caps, and lion's mane mushrooms.
June 13, 2026 : Saturday Full-Day
Wild Edibles
Learn about edible plants and responsible foraging practices focused on plants only (no wild mushroom foraging).
Agroforestry Talk
Discover how agroforestry systems can support farm diversification and sustainable land management.
Shiitake Inoculation (hands-on workshop at Heartland Organics)
Participate in a hands-on shiitake inoculation workshop and learn the basics of log-grown mushroom production.
2026 Muck Onion Growers Twilight Meeting in Oswego
June 18, 2026
Oswego, NY
Open to all Onion Enthusiasts, the Muck Onion Growers Twilight Meeting will include an onion disease research update from 2025, new fungicide recommendations for 2026, an onion maggot seed treatment update, herbicide demonstration tour, and more. This educational event is immediately followed by a catered dinner; both are FREE thanks to generous sponsors!
2.25 DEC recertification credits available in categories 1a, 10 and 23. CCA credits will be offered too.