Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is an important emerging crop in New York State (NYS). Prices for CBD biomass have decreased from early-market highs and producers are seeking means of intensifying production without sacrificing crop quality. The identification of novel, effective management strategies will be key to the industry’s long-term survival. The goals of this research were to determine if direct seeded, high-density planting systems are viable to evaluate yield outcomes for different planting scenarios, and to determine effective strategies for controlling hemp powdery mildew in high tunnels. Results indicated that direct seeding could be a viable option in NYS with optimized planting density, that use of greenhouses and high tunnels are possible means of intensifying production, and that hemp powdery mildew can be controlled in the high tunnel using conventional fungicides and some bio-pesticides. This research has provided a basis for future studies on high cannabinoid hemp production in NYS.