Cultivating Climate Resilience of Urban Agriculture in New York City
A Panel Presentation + 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.
Hands-on learning opportunities and expert insights will be at the forefront, ensuring participants have the tools to enact positive change on their farms and communities. Attendees can network with peers, exchange ideas, and explore innovative solutions to pressing agricultural challenges.
We look forward to seeing you there; refreshments will be served at the end of the farm tour of Grow NYC’s Teaching Garden.
1:30pm Welcome & Introductions
1:35pm Climate Impacts and Adaptation for Urban Farms
1:45pm Farmer presentations
Chelsea Encababian: Sustainable Urban Agriculture Lecturer at LaGuardia Community College at the Student Farm; will present climate research done in partnership with CUNY
Eve Brown: Program Manager, Grow NYC Teaching Garden at Governors Island Urban Farm; will discuss urban climate adaptation and mitigation strategies being deployed on Governors Island
Bill Hilgendorf: Director of Biochar and Sustainability at White Feather Farm, will present biochar applications for NYC and engaging communities in small-scale biochar production
2:15pm Q&A and Discussion (10 mins)
2:25pm Walk over to Grow NYC Teaching Garden
2:30pm Farm tour, biochar demos, and refreshments
3:00pm Networking