Lake Ontario Fruit Program Enrollment

Program Areas

  • Food Safety
  • Variety Evaluation
  • Market Development
  • Pest Management
  • Cultural Practices

Enrollment Benefits

  • Telephone / Email Consultations
  • Fruit Newsletter?
  • Direct Mailings
  • Educational Meetings & Conferences
  • In-Field Educational Opportunities
  • On-Farm Research Trials

Enrollee Login

Password:

Log In To Access:

  • Issues of Fruit Newletters
  • Helpful Diagnostic Tool:
      What's wrong with my crop?

COVID-19 Resources


Agricultural Support Organizations

USDA: https://www.usda.gov/
USDA (Farm Service Agency): https://www.fsa.usda.gov/
NYS Ag and Markets: https://agriculture.ny.gov/
Empire State Development: https://esd.ny.gov/


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus Updates

Events are changing rapidly with the coronavirus. Some of the information presented in this newsletter is subject to change. For up-to-date developments at the federal level, check the CDC website frequently.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2Findex.html


Cornell Small Farms Resiliency Resources

Ideas on how to take care of yourself, your farm, and your local community. These resources offer support on the various aspects of farming during a crisis, with a focus on the current COVID-19 pandemic. The content was curated in partnership with educators, researchers and others. It is consistently updated as new information and resources are available.

https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/resources/farm-resilience/


Emerging Viral Pathogens Guidance for Antimicrobial Products

EPA has activated its Emerging Viral Pathogens Guidance for Antimicrobial Products in order to enable the use of certain EPA-registered disinfectant products against COVID-19.


https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/emerging-viral-pathogen-guidance-antimicrobial-pesticides


Employment and Agricultural Workforce Questions

The Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development team has assembled many resources to help you protect your workforce, your business, and your markets during the COVID-19 pandemic. Find H2A updates and more!

http://agworkforce.cals.cornell.edu/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/


Farm Stress Management

Resources for managing and warning signs of stress during these uncertain times.
Stress Management in Unprecedented Times
Managing Financial Stress on the Farm

https://www.nyfarmnet.org/farm-stress


Farmers' Market Federation of New York

Provides helpful information as NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets as this continues to develop. 

https://www.facebook.com/FMFNY/


Food Production, Processing and Safety Questions

Find answers to questions around the risks associated with food production and to your employees to ensure that a safe and robust food supply is maintained for the public. You can find useful links to expert resources to help address your specific questions. Resources are updated frequently as the situation changes and new information becomes available.

https://instituteforfoodsafety.cornell.edu/coronavirus-covid-19/


FDA Food Safety and Coronavirus Questions & Answers.

Contains resources available to industry members and consumers on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and food safety.

https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-during-emergencies/food-safety-and-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19?utm_campaign=F


General Questions and Updates: NY Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN)

Find the latest updates on coronavirus impacts in New York. This website is a one-stop source for links to resources for ag, workforce, food industry, food safety, dairy industry, horticulture, H-2A, family, animal care, business relief, and social distancing.

https://eden.cce.cornell.edu/


Labor Concerns

Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development: https://agworkforce.cals.cornell.edu/
NY Farm Bureau: https://www.nyfb.org/
NY Department of Labor: https://www.labor.ny.gov/home/


Mental Health & Health Resources

NY FarmNet: https://www.nyfarmnet.org/
NY FarmNet Hotline : 1-800-547-3276 (24 hr service)
New York State Department of Health: https://www.health.ny.gov/
New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH): https://www.nycamh.org/
Farm Partners (part of Bassett Health Care system and NYCAMH): 1-800-343-7527
NYS Agricultural Mediation Program: https://www.nysamp.com/
Prevent Worker Exposure to Coronavirus (OSHA): https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3989.pdf
Center for Disease Control COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html


New York State Department of Heath Novel Coronavirus

For the latest news at the New York State level, including Governor Cuomo's most recent executive actions for citizens, employees, and employers, check the New York State Department of Health Coronavirus website frequently.

https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home


Protecting Yourself & Loved Ones Financially from COVID-19

The Consumer Financial Protection Board has information ranging from what to do if you have trouble paying your bills, are facing income loss, or have a problem with a financial service.

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/coronavirus/


Small Business Administration Economic Industry Disaster Loans:

Eligible small businesses may now apply for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) online at: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela Businesses can take advantage of free assistance offered by SBA's network of Resource Partners for help with preparing their loan applications. They may visit the link below assistance to find local help. The NYS Small Business Development Center network recommends submitting a request for assistance online at http://nyssbdc.org/appointment.html

https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance


Webinar on Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting in the COVID-19 Era

The webinar recording and presentation are now available on the PSA website from Monday's call titled "Setting the Record Straight on Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting in the COVID-19 Era and Beyond". A special thanks to our speaker Dr. Ruth Petran, Senior Corporate Scientist - Food Safety and Public Health at Ecolab, for her informative presentation and helpful Q&A session.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=749ryrVGwDI&feature=youtu.be


more crops
Apples

Apples

Apricots

Apricots

Asian Pears

Asian Pears

Blueberries

Blueberries

Cherries

Cherries

Currants

Currants

Gooseberries

Gooseberries

Nectarines

Nectarines

Peaches

Peaches

Pears

Pears

Plums

Plums

Raspberries / Blackberries

Raspberries / Blackberries

Strawberries

Strawberries

Unusual Fruit

Unusual Fruit

more crops

Upcoming Events

2025 Wayne County - DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Pre-Exam Training

March 13, 2025 : DEC Certified Applicator Pre-Exam Training Day 1
Newark, NY

This training is only for those with experience and does not qualify for the 30-hour official DEC training - you are exempt from the 30 hour training (and eligible for this coaching session) if you have pesticide application experience, either through working on your own farm or through employment on another farm.


March 17, 2025 : DEC Certified Applicator Pre-Exam Training Day 2
Newark, NY

This training is only for those with experience and does not qualify for the 30-hour official DEC training - you are exempt from the 30 hour training (and eligible for this coaching session) if you have pesticide application experience, either through working on your own farm or through employment on another farm.

Introduction to Tree Fruit Production

February 27, 2025
March 6, 2025
March 13, 2025
March 17, 2025
March 20, 2025
March 24, 2025
March 27, 2025
April 3, 2025

Thursdays: February 27 - April 3, with two additional Monday webinars on March 17 and March 24

Tree fruit are an important component of the agricultural and homeowner landscape. This course, which offers eight live webinars for its 2025 offering, trains beginning tree fruit growers in fundamental concepts in orchard planning and management.

Cornell Fruit Winter Webinars

January 17, 2025 : Week 1: Digging into Pruning and Soil Health

Speakers: Mario Miranda Sazo (CCE LOFP) and Dr. Debbie Aller (Cornell CALS) 


January 31, 2025 : Week 2: Cider Apples - Mechanized Harvesting and Sweet Cider Food Safety

Speakers: Dr. Greg Peck (Cornell CALS) and Dr. Randy Worobo (Cornell CALS)


Event Offers DEC Credits

February 14, 2025 : Week 3: The Value of "Eco-Friendly" Marketing - OMRI Certification, Red Tomato, EcoApple, NYS Grown

Speakers: Liz Higgins (CCE ENYCHP), Josh Morgenthau (Fish Kill Farms), Jim Bittner (Bittner-Singer Orchard, and Kevin Clark (Rose Hill Farm)


Event Offers DEC Credits

February 28, 2025 : Week 4: Biopesticides and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) for Berries

Speaker(s): McKenzie Schessl (Cornell AgriTech) and Samantha Willden (Cornell AgriTech)


Event Offers DEC Credits

March 14, 2025 : Week 5: St. Peachtrick's Day: Stone Fruit Insect and Disease Management

Speakers: Dr. George Sundin (Michigan State University) and Brett Blaauw (University of Georgia)

Announcements

2025 Cornell Winter Fruit Webinar Recordings

Recordings now available on the NYIPM YouTube Channel 2025 Cornell Winter Webinar playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ccj8IT-8eI&list=PLoNb8lODb49u16HwAqx7Y_TS5S3vdkrON

SPARC Survey

Interested in strengthening pome fruit resilience to climate? Check out what 22 scientists from six states are joining forces to accomplish. Learn more and help support this effort by taking a quick survey at https://lof.cce.cornell.edu/submission.php?id=948&crumb=crops|crops|apples|crop*38

Save the Date! - Scroll down for Upcoming Events

Have you missed a meeting recently? Scroll down for available recordings or pdf links or visits our YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/LakeOntarioFruitProgram

2025 Events:


6 Mar - Introduction to Tree Fruit Production - Online Course, Register Now

13 Mar - Introduction to Tree Fruit Production - Online Course, Register Now

13 Mar - DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Pre-Exam Training - 12:45-5pm, Wayne CCE, Register Now

14 Mar - Cornell Winter Fruit Webinars: Week 3 - 11am-12:30pm, Free, Register Now!

17 Mar - Introduction to Tree Fruit Production - Online Course, Register Now

17 Mar - DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Pre-Exam Training - 1-5pm, Wayne CCE, Register Now

20 Mar - Introduction to Tree Fruit Production - Online Course, Register Now



24 Mar - Introduction to Tree Fruit Production - Online Course, Register Now

27 Mar - Introduction to Tree Fruit Production - Online Course, Register Now

3 Apr - Introduction to Tree Fruit Production - Online Course, Register Now

7 & 8 May - 2025 Respirator Fit Testing Clinics - CCE Orleans


Webinar Recordings & Additional Meeting Materials

Check out the recordings of some recent webinars and/or conference materials from in person events: Recordings and Playlists are available at https://www.youtube.com/c/LakeOntarioFruitProgram


Recording of Precision Apple Cropload MANagement PACMAN technologies at the 2nd Annual WNY Fruit Grower Tour. https://youtu.be/yE6thvf4z0E

2024 Virtual Orchard Meetup Series - Water Wisdom: 






2024 Winter Fruit Webinars playlist on the NYS IPM Program YouTube Channel


PACMAN Details and Resources, Meeting Recording Links below:




Business Updates



Scaffolds podcast

Many of you probably read Art Agnello's statewide tree fruit updates and recommendations newsletter, "Scaffolds". Dr. Monique Rivera is bringing it back, but in a new audio version. Episode one was recorded this week, and is now available for free online at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scaffolds


NYS Tree Decline Survey

Your answers could help find the solution to tree decline in the orchard.

Food Safety Virtual Office Hours

Cornell Institute of Food Safety "Virtual Office Hours", Tuesdays Noon to 1pm https://cals.cornell.edu/institute-for-food-safety/resources/virtual-office-hours

Past recorded virtual office hours can be found on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZJs5b7KUuvfcquH3ZtQHo5dSmF2m5MdQ


Pollinator Resouces

Now available Pollinator Resource Links


Meeting Recordings Now Available

Did you miss the recent meeting?  Check and see if we recorded it and added it to our website or Lake Ontario Fruit Program YouTube Channel.

Honeycrisp Meetup recordings available here.

Why are my trees growing so poorly? recording available here.

Additional Recorded Webinars listing with recording and resource link are available at



New Publication on Growing Pawpaws

Are you a fan of pawpaws? These custardy fruits can be hard to come across, so this guide provides information on how to grow your own pawpaw from seed, and how to care for grafted seedlings. Pdf on growing now available.​ https://lof.cce.cornell.edu/submission.php?id=799&crumb=crops|crops|unusual_fruit|crop*50

New Weed Management Technology Survey

Want to move away from herbicide reliance? Are you using novel technologies to manage weeds? We want to know about it to inform our weed science research. A team of weed scientists from University of California Davis, Oregon State University, and Cornell University are asking berry, tree fruit, tree nut, and vine crop growers to take 5 to 10 minutes and answer this short and anonymous survey. Weed Technology Survey link: https://cornell.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bEpfAijoP7puQDP

For more information on this survey please visit http://blogs.cornell.edu/swd1/2020/12/02/new-weed-management-technology/


Pollinator Webinar Series - Summer 2020

The Pollinator Webinar Series presented by Penn State cover bee health and pollination services.



Bloom Pesticides for Pollinator Health

A reference table created by Janet van Zoeren and Anna Wallis, is now available at https://lof.cce.cornell.edu/submission.php?id=711&crumb=pests|pests.