Response
Cornell Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Food Systems, including the Cornell Vegetable Program and Harvest New York, led statewide research and education on soil management. CCE conducted 132 soil samples across 84 locations on 18 farms and implemented a replicated on-farm trial. Educators delivered 52 presentations reaching 2,686 participants and conducted 438 farm visits and 304 consultations. Outreach materials included two fact sheets, eight newsletter articles, five urban case studies, and one technical report. In New York City, CCE Urban Gardens Specialists co-led the launch of a community garden in Jamaica, Queens, using raised beds and clean soil to address contamination. In Delaware County, CCE partnered with farmers to develop manure prescriptions for more than 400 fields and implement precision manure application technology.
Results
Applied research documented a 6.7% average increase in soil organic matter with cover cropping. Each 1% increase enables soil to hold an additional 20,000 gallons of plant-available water per acre, allowing participating farms to retain about 134,000 additional gallons per acre. Farmers realized nearly $5,000 per acre in equivalent organic fertilizer value. Evaluation data showed 92% of growers increased knowledge of soil biology, 100% adopted at least one soil management practice, 70% reported increased yield, and 77% reported improved crop quality. Precision manure application conserved 105,222 pounds of ammonia nitrogen valued at $78,917 and reduced nutrient loss to the air.
Public Value
New York residents benefit from improved soil management that protects drinking water quality, including water resources serving New York City, while increasing farm profitability and strengthening a sustainable local food system.
