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
Upcoming Events
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.
2025 Respirator Fit Testing in Wayne County
April 17, 2025
Pultneyville, NY
A one day clinic for respirator fit testing will be held in Wayne County on April 17th. Please be sure to register by April 7th, as space is limited.
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.