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

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  • Issues of Fruit Newletters
  • Helpful Diagnostic Tool:
      What's wrong with my crop?
Sorry, Pre-Registration for Webinar: Integrated Nutritional Management for Pome Fruit Production has passed.

Sorry, Pre-Registration for Orchard Walk with John Kempf has passed.


Tree Fruit Nutrition Training with John Kempf

Based on the positive feedback we received from several growers who attended John Kempf's talks at the recent 2019 CCE LOF Winter Fruit Schools, we plan to offer two additional educational opportunities to continue learning about tree fruit nutrition and much more in March 5 and 30. There will be a video conference group discussion (webinar type titled "Integrated Nutritional Management for Pome Fruit Production with John Kempf") to answer some of the questions John didn't have time for. The webinar will be conducted on Tuesday March 5 at 2pm Eastern Time.

Webinar: Integrated Nutritional Management for Pome Fruit Production

March 5, 2019

1:45 PM - Arrive; 2 PM - Webinar begins

Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension
12690 NY-31
Albion, NY 14411


Cost

This event is free.

Webinar: Integrated Nutritional Management for Pome Fruit Production

Based on the positive feedback we received from several growers who attended John Kempf's talks at the recent 2019 CCE LOF Winter Fruit Schools, we plan to offer two additional educational opportunities to continue learning about tree fruit nutrition and much more in March 5 and 30. There will be a video conference group discussion (webinar type titled "Integrated Nutritional Management for Pome Fruit Production with John Kempf") to answer some of the questions John didn't have time for. The webinar will be conducted on Tuesday March 5 at 2pm Eastern Time.

John Kempf has outlined the science behind a strategically applied nutrition based system in pome fruit production, mainly in Oregon and Washington orchards, and more recently in the Northeast. Using field observations, John has provided an interpretive framework with which to decipher the nutritional requirements of trees, targeting nutrient type and developmental phase of the crop. At the recent 2019 CCE Winter Fruit Schools, John gave insights into the movement of minerals within the tree and how this applies to the remediation of issues apple growers face such as fire blight, bitter rot, and bitter pit. During the orchard walk on Saturday March 30, growers will learn among many more things (1) the nutritional differences that affect calcium uptake in apple varieties predisposed to bitter pit, and (2) the important information on key nutrient considerations that affect fruit size and quality.

This webinar was recorded.  The link, details and additional resources are available here.

There will be two viewing options, please review the options and register accordingly:

1. Registering for viewing on your own electronic device at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/6015499056959/WN_g8EBP8aYT0uTx6jGIEANtQ , after registering you will receive a link to join the webinar on March 5 at 2pm.

2. Registering for the LOF Hosted group viewing of the webinar at the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension building. Please see the registration option at the top right hand side of the page. Please pre-register by March 4 so we have a counts for seating and refreshments.  Walk ins are welcome.



Orchard Walk with John Kempf

March 30, 2019

8:30am - Noon

VanDeWalle Fruit Farm
9095 Ridge Road
North Rose, NY 14516


Cost

This event is free.

Orchard Walk with John Kempf

The orchard walk, or mini-tour of two-three Honeycrisp blocks (including at least one site to be planted in the spring of 2019), will be at VanDeWalle Fruit Farm on Saturday March 30, from 8:30am to noon. The orchard walk will cover aspects related to site preparation and how to manage for high-quality soils (organic matter, soil physical condition, and nutrient availability). Management of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, and the important role of micronutrients for young and mature Honeycrisp trees, will be discussed with John and grower host Scott VanDeWalle who has followed some of John's recommendations.

John Kempf has outlined the science behind a strategically applied nutrition based system in pome fruit production, mainly in Oregon and Washington orchards, and more recently in the Northeast. Using field observations, John has provided an interpretive framework with which to decipher the nutritional requirements of trees, targeting nutrient type and developmental phase of the crop. At the recent 2019 CCE Winter Fruit Schools, John gave insights into the movement of minerals within the tree and how this applies to the remediation of issues apple growers face such as fire blight, bitter rot, and bitter pit. During the orchard walk on Saturday March 30, growers will learn among many more things (1) the nutritional differences that affect calcium uptake in apple varieties predisposed to bitter pit, and (2) the important information on key nutrient considerations that affect fruit size and quality.

Please register by March 28.




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

2026 Dyson Agricultural Food

January 12, 2026
Ithaca, NY

The Past, the Present, and the Future of PACMAN Webinar

January 12, 2026

Join nationally recognized scientists and extension specialists for a nationwide PACMAN webinar presenting five years of research findings and outlining emerging directions and collaborative opportunities for the next phase of the project.

2026 Cornell Winter Fruit Webinars

January 22, 2026 : Blueberry Pruning and Soil Health to Minimize Pests and Maximize Yield

Week 1: Blueberry Pruning and Soil Health to Minimize Pests and Maximize Yield


January 29, 2026 : Cost of Production for Fruit Crops

Week 2:  Cost of Production for Fruit Crops - A new tool for tree fruit, updates on berry production in NY, and strategies for tracking and using expense data.


February 12, 2026 : Fire Blight Management Updates

Week 3: Fire Blight Management Updates - Pathogen Biology, Defense Inducers, Biopesticides, and Pruning Therapies


February 19, 2026 : Pink and Petal Fall Insecticides - Can We Strike the Right Balance?

Week 4: Pink and Petal Fall Insecticides - Can We Strike the Right Balance? 


March 12, 2026 : Inoculating Orchards with Mycorrhizal Fungi

Week 5: Inoculating Orchards with Mycorrhizal Fungi


March 19, 2026 : St. Peachtrick's Day - Cherry Pruning Strategies and Plum Varieties for the Northeast

Week 6: St. Peachtrick's Day - Cherry Pruning Strategies and Plum Varieties for the Northeast

Announcements

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:

for more details click on event title

16 Dec - H-2A Playbooks in the New AEWR Era: Wage Strategies and Labor Planning in 2026 Webinar - 1pm, Register Now!

17 Dec - Part 1: How to Obtain a Pesticide Applicator License - 1-2pm, Online, Free, Register Now!

1-22 Dec - Labor Roadshow IX - registration now open, 2 webinars & 4 in-person meetings 

2026:

12 Jan - The Past, the Present, and the Future of PACMAN - 11am - 3pm EST, Webinar, Free, Register Now! 


13 & 14 Jan - Part 2: Pesticide Applicator Exam Prep - 8:30am-12:30pm, Online, $40, Register Now!

22 Jan - 2026 Cornell Winter Fruit Webinars: Blueberry Pruning and Soil Health to Minimize Pests and Maximize Yield - 11am - 12:30pm, Online, Register Now! 

23-25 Feb - NY Farm to School Summit - Saratoga Springs, Register Now!


4 Feb - LOF Winter Fruit Schools - All day, Niagara Co., more details soon.

5 Feb - LOF Winter Fruit Schools - All day, Wayne Co., more details soon.

12 Feb - 2026 Cornell Winter Fruit Webinars: Fire Blight Management Updates - 11am - 1pm, Online, Register Now!

19 Feb - 2026 Cornell Winter Fruit Webinars: Pink and Petal Fall Insecticides - Can We Strike the Right Balance? - 11am - 12:30pm, Online, Register Now!

12 Mar - 2026 Cornell Winter Fruit Webinars: Inoculating Orchards with Mycorrhizal Fungi - 11am - 12:30pm, Online, Register Now!

19 Mar - 2026 Cornell Winter Fruit Webinars: St. Peachtrick's Day - Cherry Pruning Strategies and Plum Varieties for the Northeast - 11am - 12:30pm, Online, Register Now!




In Memory of Robert Brown II

With Deep Sadness, We Honor the Memory of Robert Brown II: A Cherished Friend, an Influential Leader in the Western NY Apple Industry, and a Remarkable Contributor to the Core Mission of CCE (May 23, 1955 -- November 23, 2025) see details https://lof.cce.cornell.edu/submission.php?id=976&crumb=crops|crops|apples|crop*38

NEWA weather stations moving to a new dashboard!

NEWA weather stations purchased through Rainwise (now owned by KestrelMet) are moving to a new dashboard!



NYCAMH Fit Testing Requirements

Considering NYCAMH for your respirator fit testing?

Here are some key facts and helpful tips about medical clearance:

Medical Clearance ? Fit Testing (They are not the same!)

Before you can wear a respirator or be fit tested, OSHA requires a medical evaluation under the Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134). This evaluation must be conducted by a licensed healthcare provider to determine if you are physically able to use a respirator safely.

read details

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

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.