Soil Health for Vegetable Growers Workshop
Event Details
Date
November 1, 2023
Time
9:30am - 2:30pm
Location
Whallonsburg Grange
1610 Route 22
Essex, NY 12936
Cost
Registration : $30.00
(addl attendee $30.00 ea.)
Host
Eastern New York Commercial HorticultureWednesday, Nov. 1, 2023
9:30 am - 2:30 pm
Whallonsburg Grange (1610 Route 22, Essex, NY 12936)
Cost: $30 per person
Join us for presentations, discussions, and hands-on demonstrations focusing on soil health concepts and best management practices for vegetable growers. Topics include tarping, maintaining soil health in high tunnels, cover cropping, reduced tillage, compost microbiology, and more.
1.75 DEC pesticide recertification credits available in categories 1A, 10, and 23.
Register by Oct. 27
For more information, contact Elisabeth Hodgdon (eh528@cornell.edu or 518-650-5323).
Agenda:
9:30 am: Welcome & introductions, coffee & refreshments
9:45 am: Soil health concepts and the effects of soil type, cropping system, and management on soil health (Joseph Amsili, Cornell Soil Health Initiative)
10:15 am: Explore the intricate world of the soil food web (John Culpepper and Jennifer Perry, Compost for Good)
11 am: Tarping research updates (Crystal Stewart-Courtens, CCE Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program and Philia Farm)
11:30 am: Cover cropping in reduced tillage systems (Jean-Paul Courtens, Philia Farm)
12 pm: Grower panel and discussion: How we maintain soil health using tarps, reduced tillage, and other practices (Lissa Goldstein, Wild Work Farm; Adam Reed, Tangleroot Farm; TBD)
12:30 Lunch
1 pm: Maintaining soil health in high tunnels (Jud Reid, CCE Cornell Vegetable Program and Harvest NY)
1:45 pm: Tying together soil health and climate change resiliency (Kitty O'Neil, CCE North Country Regional Ag Team)
2:15 pm: Overview of services offered by the Essex County Soil & Water Conservation District and the Lake Champlain Basin Program
2:30 pm: End program
This workshop is sponsored in part by the Northern NY Agricultural Development Program and the New York Farm Viability Institute

Upcoming Events
ASL 105 Employee Development and Training
November 17, 2025 : ASL 105: Employment Development and Training
ASL105: Employee Development and Training
Three leadership practices are essential for supervisors: setting clear expectations, employee training and development, and providing performance feedback.
In Employee Development and Training you will learn best practices to plan and conduct training that engages employees, supports retention, and helps ensure great quality work. You will also learn how to create a culture of continuous learning and performance improvement through employee development, coaching, and career planning. This is a 6-week online course, taught in English.
Topics include:
- Planning effective training programs
- Onboarding new employees
- On the job training
- Staff development
- Creating a culture for continuous learning
- Coaching and career planning
Course begins: Wednesday, November 12 Live Zoom discussions: Tuesdays, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM ET beginning November 18 through December 23.
Registration closes November 17 at 5 PM ET.
Ag Labor Road Show IX
December 1, 2025 : Save the Date! - Ag Labor Roadshow Webinar 1
In addition to the in-person Ag Labor Roadshow program in our region on December 9, two webinars are scheduled for December 1 and December 22. Each webinar will focus on different program content that is different from the in-person sessions. These webinars are an added benefit to program registration.
December 9, 2025 : Save the Date - Ag Labor Road Show In-Person Event (Greenwich, NY)
Greenwich, NY
The Roadshow delivers essential updates on labor law, regulations, and workforce best practices—tailored for farm owners, managers, and ag service providers. Sessions also focus on practical strategies to boost communication, strengthen retention, and build a positive workplace culture.
The in-person session for Eastern NY is December 9 - Elks Lodge, Greenwich, NY - full day in person session
Additional in-person sessions are:
December 10 - Hilton Garden Inn, Watertown, NY, December 17 - Cornell AgriTech, Geneva, NY, December 18 - Genesee Community College, Batavia, NY
December 22, 2025 : Save the Date! - Ag Labor Roadshow Webinar 2
In addition to the in-person Ag Labor Roadshow program in our region on December 9, two webinars are scheduled for December 1 and December 22. Each webinar will focus on different program content that is different from the in-person sessions. These webinars are an added benefit to program registration.
How to Obtain a Pesticide Applicator License
December 17, 2025
Thinking about becoming a certified pesticide applicator in New York, but aren't sure where to start? Join DEC representative Kenneth Klubek for a discussion on who needs to become a certified pesticide applicator, certification types, examination procedures, and recertification. Participants will have ample opportunity to ask questions during the program.
