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New York Urban Farms Sustainable Pest Management Fact Sheet Series

Lori Koenick, Extension Support Specialist
Cornell Vegetable Program

Last Modified: October 23, 2024

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. We've developed a set of fact sheets with case studies highlighting pest management techniques that New York urban farms have found valuable. The fact sheets are available in English, Arabic, Chinese, and Spanish.

Disease Resistant Crop Varieties

Here we highlight the opportunity to prevent disease from the crop in the first place. For some crop and disease combinations, perhaps the most straightforward method is to select a variety of the crop that has been bred for resistance to the disease. This technique begins before we ever sow a seed! Catalogs will list information about each variety's disease resistance. When purchasing seeds, choose the varieties with listed resistance to the diseases you're most concerned about. We like to note that disease resistant vegetable varieties are nearly always non-GMO, and often available as untreated or certified organic seed. Selecting resistant varieties is an easy, cheap, and effective strategy to get ahead of plant diseases. 

Row Covers

Here we highlight an exclusionary pest management tool. Keeping pests (particularly insects and mites) away from a young planting gets crops off on the right foot. Urban farmers use row covers and insect nets as barriers, physically preventing pests from reaching their host plant. These covers and nets are typically a temporary tool designed to be put on and taken off during the growing season, often early in crop cycles. It is helpful to do some research on the pest's biology and life cycle to be sure we are keeping the pest out and not in!  Remember: Row cover is a protective measure; install it before the pest arrives on the crop. This tool must match crop needs too, such as temperature tolerance and pollination requirements.

Releasing Natural Enemies

Many urban farms use biocontrol strategies such as the introduction of natural enemies to their growing spaces for pest management. Mimicking the natural world, we use good bugs to manage the bad bugs! Many pest species have their own natural enemies that can be purchased and released on the farm. These beneficials, or biological controls, prey upon or parasitize the pests. To be successful growers, we must have knowledge on the right natural enemy to release at the right time and in the right place. In our experience, this approach works best in enclosed systems, such as greenhouses, high tunnels, and under row cover. Biological controls should be applied early in the pest/crop cycle. This is a biological system that requires attention to detail and commitment from the grower. Local cooperative extension and biocontrol suppliers are great places to gather knowledge on biocontrol techniques.

Brassica Break

In this fact sheet, we highlight urban growers' use of time as a pest management tool. Brassicas (also known as crucifers and cole crops) are the most common crop family on urban farms in New York. They are also host to a range of insect pests, including cabbageworms, flea beetles, cabbage aphid, Swede midge, harlequin bug, and cabbage whitefly. A cultural control we're calling "Brassica Break" creates a calendar window at some point during the year when there are no brassicas available to insect pests anywhere on the farm. When you remove the plants, you remove the pests!

Interested in Learning More?

Contact project team members Sam Anderson of CCE Harvest NY, Lori Koenick or Judson Reid of the CCE Cornell Vegetable Program. 

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"]. Fall 2024.

Disease Resistant Crop Varieties for Pest Management on Urban Farms (translated to Arabic, Chinese, Spanish)

Row Covers for Pest Management on Urban Farms (translated to Arabic, Chinese, Spanish)

Releasing Natural Enemies for Pest Management on Urban Farms (translated to Arabic, Chinese, Spanish)

Brassica Break for Pest Management on Urban Farms (translated to Arabic, Chinese, Spanish)



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Upcoming Events

2025 Finger Lakes Auction Winter Growers Meeting

Event Offers DEC Credits

January 2, 2025
Penn Yan, NY

At this grower-focused meeting, ag industry experts will discuss pest control in vegetables, weed management strategies and best practices, seed germination, an introduction to foliar nutrient uptake in vegetables, and grouping flowers by growth needs. Plus we'll hear from a grower panel from Kutztown Produce Auction, moderated with NYS specific pest control from Judson Reid.

View 2025 Finger Lakes Auction Winter Growers Meeting Details

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February 19, 2025
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This virtual workshop will serve two purposes: 

  • For produce farms just interested in learning about farm food safety, this program will introduce principles and best practices.
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Announcements

Laser Scarecrows to Deter Birds in Sweet Corn

Are you considering the use of a laser scarecrow to deter birds on your farm? Cornell Cooperative Extension and the University of Rhode Island teamed up to test a research laser scarecrow on sweet corn farms.

A laser scarecrow is a device that has one or more laser modules connected to motors. The specifications of the lasers are optimized to the color and motion sensitivity of bird's eyes. When laser beams move across a field, birds become frightened and attempt to move away from the perceived threat. Light from the laser covers an area quickly and moves through the canopy without causing injury to the crop. Research demonstrates that birds do not readily become habituated to the laser.

A laser scarecrow used as the sole deterrent typically results in a significant reduction in crop damage. Combined with an auditory device, damage can be reduced even more. When used as part of an integrated management program for bird control that utilizes habitat management and multiple scare tactics, laser scarecrows can be useful tools for growers of multiple crops. All scare tactics must be deployed before birds find the field. The effectiveness of lasers depends on multiple factors such as bird species, bird populations, habitat and food availability. Lasers are not effective at deterring deer, racoons, coyotes or other mammals.

To learn more, the Laser Scarecrows to Deter Birds in Sweet Corn and Other High-Value Agricultural Crops fact sheet provides background information, research data, FAQs, and Advantages/Limitations on laser scarecrows.

NY Urban Farms 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.

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