Current Projects
2025 Western New York Fruit Conference Presentations
SPARC - Strengthening Pear and Apple Resilience to Climate
Extreme temperature events—both heat and cold—have resulted in recent annual insurable losses exceeding $80 million for the U.S. apple and pear industry. We are working to better understand the physiological responses of apple and pear trees to extreme temperatures and seeking to identify the genetic control of those responses, to help growers choose the best varieties to grow. Click "read details" to learn more and support this effort by completing the survey (available in English & Spanish).
Tree Decline Survey
Please consider taking this survey, even if you haven't observed apple decline in your orchard blocks!
Precision Apple Crop Load MANagement - PACMAN
PACMAN Research and Extension teams are entering their forth year of the USDA/NIFA/SCRI funded research and Extension project titled "Precision Crop Load Management for Apples". See what they have learned about vision based technologies and potential management implications
2024 Western NY Fruit Conference Materials
Presentations can be found in pdf format here after the conference, pending publication permission from author.
2023 Western NY Fruit Conference Materials
Conference presentations can be found in pdf format here, pending publication permission from author.
Honeycrisp Meetup Recordings
Evaluations for LOF Specialists- Advisory Committee Meeting, 11-9-20
Craig Kahlke, Team Leader, Fruit Quality Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program
Attendees of the Advisory Committee Meeting are invited to give valuable feedback to each of the specialists.
Please upload the form below, and after filling it out, email to Committee Chair Justin Whipple: jwhipple@wnyapples.com
Lake Ontario Fruit Webinar Recording & Video Links
LOF Fruit Bites
See details to check out quick "how to" videos on a variety of fruit and orchard topics.
2020 Lake Ontario Winter Fruit School
This all day event provided 2 near-identical programs available on the West and East sides of Rochester on consecutive days. We are featured an intensive Precision Honeycrisp management school in addition to updates on Labor, Fruit Farm Business Summary, as well as pests and diseases, including European Cherry Fruit Fly. Pdfs for most of the presentations are now available.
Reflective Ground Cover For Coloring Apples At Harvest: Could Yield Revenue
Position Open, Business Management Specialist
Lake Ontario Fruit Program
Reflective ground cover has been used in fruit-growing regions for a number of years now. The Lake Ontario Fruit Team conducted a field trial in 2018 of reflective ground cover at two Wayne County farms. The infographic contains information about reflective groundcovers including the quality and economic benefits found in the study and additional information on types of groundcovers and suppliers.
Empire State Producers EXPO proceeding link
Links to proceedings and resources listed in presentations from the EXPO can be found here.
New CCE LOF Videos
Working with a Spanish Speaking Workforce
Building Campus County Connections: Working with a Spanish Speaking Workforce - view details for link to this youtube video discussion.
2017 Champlain and Vermont Young Grower Trip
"The 2017 Champlain and Vermont Study trip was a great success and NY growers had again an excellent educational experience.
In addition, the friendships and professional relationships they made will be useful for their careers as orchardists in the near future.
Many thanks to all our sponsors, grower hosts, and to Matt Wells for organizing this successful event!"
Mechanical blossom thinning video.
2016 NYS Crop Survey Report
Results from the 2016 NYS Crop Survey Report are now available. Click details for link to .pdf.
Black Stem Borer Trap Data
Apples
Apricots
Asian Pears
Blueberries
Cherries
Currants
Gooseberries
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Plums
Raspberries / Blackberries
Strawberries
Unusual Fruit
Upcoming Events
Respirator Fit Testing in Orleans County
May 7, 2025 : Afternoon Clinic
Albion, NY
Afternoon respirator fit testing clinic will be held in Orleans County on May 7th, save the date.
May 8, 2025 : Morning Clinic
Albion, NY
Morning respirator fit testing clinic will be held in Orleans County on May 8th, save the date.
Tree Fruit & Small Fruit Twilight Meetings
April 24, 2025 : Tree Fruit & Small Fruit Twilight Meetings 1 of 4
Hilton, NY
Join specialists Janet Van Zoeren, Anya Stansell, and Anna Wallis for a conversation about fruit and berry phenology and pest management, at a new location each month.
May 29, 2025 : Tree Fruit & Small Fruit Twilight Meetings 2 of 4
Holley, NY
Join specialists Janet Van Zoeren, Anya Stansell, and Anna Wallis for a conversation about fruit and berry phenology and pest management, at a new location each month.
June 26, 2025 : Tree Fruit & Small Fruit Twilight Meetings 3 of 4
Ithica, NY
Join specialists Anya Stansell and Anna Wallis for a conversation about fruit and berry phenology and pest management, at a new location each month. This meeting will include Spanish Interpretation. Este mes en Español También.
July 31, 2025 : Tree Fruit & Small Fruit Twilight Meetings 4 of 4
Webster, NY
Join specialists Janet Van Zoeren, Anya Stansell, and Anna Wallis for a conversation about fruit and berry phenology and pest management, at a new location each month.
2025 Cornell In-Depth Fruit School Recordings
April 8, 2025
July 31, 2025
: Recording Available for 2025 Cornell In-Depth Fruit School
Access to the 2025 Cornell In-Depth Fruit School recordings are now available for purchase.