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?

Not an Enrollee? Enroll Now!

Online Enrollment Form

Not an Enrollee? Enroll Now!

Online Enrollment Form

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2020 Lake Ontario Winter Fruit School

This all day event provides 2 near-identical programs available on the West and East sides of Rochester on consecutive days.  We are featuring 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.  



Winter Fruit School Mail In Registration Form (PDF; 215KB)

Winter Fruit School Lockport Schedule (PDF; 225KB)

Winter Fruit School Farmington Schedule (PDF; 202KB)




Event Details

Winter Fruit School Lockport
Event Offers DEC Credits

Date

February 3, 2020

Time

8am Sign In, 8:30am - ~430pm

Location

CCE Niagara in Lockport
4487 Lake Ave
Lockport, NY 14094

Cost

Pre-register by Jan 29 for In Region Growers : $100.00

(addl attendee $35.00 ea.)

farming in Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego, or Wayne

Enrollee Discount: $65.00

At The Door Price
Register after Jan 29 for In Region Growers : $145.00

Enrollee Discount: $100.00

Pre-register by Jan 29 for Satellite Growers : $335.00

(addl attendee $35.00 ea.)

For those farming outside of the participating counties - Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego, & Wayne

Enrollee Discount: $300.00

At The Door Price
Register after Jan 29 for Satellite Growers : $380.00

Enrollee Discount: $335.00

Host

Lake Ontario Fruit Program

Kim Hazel
585-798-4265 x 26


Winter Fruit School Lockport



Winter Fruit School Lockport

Program will feature:

  • NYAA update by Cynthia Haskins
  • Labor Update by Paul Baker
  • European Cherry Fruit Fly update by Margaret Kelly
  • A Live Polling Survey on Black Stem Borer by Art AgnelloSWD & scab updates by Janet van Zoren
  • SWD management in blueberry by Esther Kibbe
  • An Intro to the Pesticide Decision-making Guide to Preserving Pollinator by Maria Van Dyke
  • Fruit Farm Business Summary & Crop Insurance Updates by Mark Wiltberger
  • Precision Honeycrisp School featuring presentations by Terence Robinson, Lailiang Chang, Chris Watkins, Kerik Cox, Mario Miranda Sazo, Anna Wallis, Scott Henning, and Craig Kahlke.  Topics covered include Precision Crop Load Management with a focus on managing pruning & thinning to optimize cropping & minimize biennial bearing, bloom thinning and the pollen tube growth model as well as post bloom thinning, repeat bloom sprays and prohexadione-CA at pink.  Nutrition & sap analysis in concert with predictive bitter pit modeling, fruit rots/diseases, controlling fire blight with Prohex-CA, use of Passive Model for bitter pit prediction, harvest maturity and PGR use and storage will also be discussed.

2.25 DEC Credits in 1A, 10 and 22, have been applied for.  CCA credits also available.

For mail in registration use the pdf available above.

Please be sure to identify if you are currently enrolled in the Lake Ontario Fruit Program when you register for the programs as enrollees receive a discount.





Event Details

Winter Fruit School Farmington
Event Offers DEC Credits

Date

February 4, 2020

Time

8am Sign In, 8:30am - ~430pm

Location

Finger Lakes Hotel
6108 Loomis Rd
Farmington, NY 14425

Cost

Pre-register by Jan 29 for In Region Growers : $100.00

(addl attendee $35.00 ea.)

farming in Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego, or Wayne

Enrollee Discount: $65.00

At The Door Price
Register after Jan 29 for In Region Growers : $145.00

Enrollee Discount: $100.00

Pre-register by Jan 29 for Satellite Growers : $335.00

(addl attendee $35.00 ea.)

For those farming outside of the participating counties - Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego, & Wayne

Enrollee Discount: $300.00

At The Door Price
Register after Jan 29 for Satellite Growers : $380.00

Enrollee Discount: $335.00

Host

Lake Ontario Fruit Program

Kim Hazel
585-798-4265 x 26


Winter Fruit School Farmington



Winter Fruit School Farmington

Program will feature:

  • NYAA update by Cynthia Haskins
  • Labor Update by Paul Baker
  • European Cherry Fruit Fly update by Margaret Kelly
  • Breakdown of the scab resistance gene Vf by Awais Khan
  • Live Polling Survey on Black Stem Borer by Art Agnello
  • SWD & scab updates by Janet van Zoeren
  • SWD management in blueberry by Esther Kibbe
  • An Intro to the Pesticide Decision-making Guide to Preserving Pollinator by Maria Van Dyke
  • Fruit Farm Business Summary & Crop Insurance Updates by Mark Wiltberger
  • Precision Honeycrisp School featuring presentations by Terence Robinson, Lailiang Chang, Chris Watkins, Kerik Cox, Mario Miranda Sazo, Anna Wallis, Scott Henning, and Craig Kahlke.  Topics covered include Precision Crop Load Management with a focus on managing pruning & thinning to optimize cropping & minimize biennial bearing, bloom thinning and the pollen tube growth model as well as post bloom thinning, repeat bloom sprays and prohexadione-CA at pink.  Nutrition & sap analysis in concert with predictive bitter pit modeling, fruit rots/diseases, controlling fire blight with Prohex-CA, use of Passive Model for bitter pit prediction, harvest maturity and PGR use and storage will also be discussed.

2.25 DEC Credits in 1A, 10 and 22, have been applied for.  CCA credits also available.

For mail in registration use the pdf available above.

Please be sure to identify if you are currently enrolled in the Lake Ontario Fruit Program when you register for the programs as enrollees receive a discount.



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 Tree Fruit & Small Fruit Twilight Meetings

Event Offers DEC Credits

April 30, 2026 : Tree Fruit & Small Fruit Twilight Meeting 1
Webster, NY

The Twilight Meetings are a series of monthly meetings, where we examine seasonal changes in tree fruit and berry crop phenology, discuss and demonstrate scouting and monitoring for insects and diseases, and provide integrated pest management solutions to maximize the health and productivity of berry and tree fruit plantings.

Please arrive at 6pm for pizza and soda.  This year Twilight meetings will begin and end 30minutes earlier than last year!


Event Offers DEC Credits

May 28, 2026 : Tree Fruit & Small Fruit Twilight Meeting 2
Oswego, NY

The Twilight Meetings are a series of monthly meetings, where we examine seasonal changes in tree fruit and berry crop phenology, discuss and demonstrate scouting and monitoring for insects and diseases, and provide integrated pest management solutions to maximize the health and productivity of berry and tree fruit plantings.

Please arrive at 6pm for pizza and soda.  This year Twilight meetings will begin and end 30minutes earlier than last year!


Event Offers DEC Credits

June 25, 2026 : Tree Fruit & Small Fruit Twilight Meeting 3
Medina, NY

The Twilight Meetings are a series of monthly meetings, where we examine seasonal changes in tree fruit and berry crop phenology, discuss and demonstrate scouting and monitoring for insects and diseases, and provide integrated pest management solutions to maximize the health and productivity of berry and tree fruit plantings.

Please arrive at 6pm for pizza and soda.  This year Twilight meetings will begin and end 30minutes earlier than last year!

2026 Virtual Orchard Meetup Series

February 27, 2026 : Session 1 - The Impacts of Weather on Pome Fruit Quality and Storability: Lessons Learned

The Impacts of Weather on Pome Fruit Quality and Storability: Lessons from 2025 -  The first meetup will be conducted live on Friday, February 27, 2026, at 10:30pm (PST)/1:30pm (EST).  The webinar will last 90 minutes.  The format will include brief presentations by two SPARC scientists, followed by a packer/grower panel of industry leaders across North America.  The meetup will conclude with an open discussion in a very inclusive virtual format.  Viewers are invited to share solutions, ask questions, and interact with scientists and panelists.  The program is free of charge.


June 11, 2026 : Session 2

Details to follow.


June 18, 2026

Details to follow.


June 25, 2026 : Session 4

Details to follow.

Cornell Fruit Field Day

July 30, 2026
Geneva, NY

Join Cornell researchers in Geneva for Fruit Field Day, returning after 10 years, to tour research plots, learn from experts—including Dr. Terence Robinson with 40+ years in tree fruit research—and explore the latest orchard technologies and practices.

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

2026 Events:

for more details click on event title

21 Apr - Cornell Statewide Pink Meeting - Recording Available

30 Apr - Tree Fruit & Small Fruit Twilight Meeting 1 - 6pm Refreshments & DEC Credit Sign In, Webster, Free!

28 May - Tree Fruit & Small Fruit Twilight Meeting 2 - 6pm Refreshments & DEC Credit Sign In, Oswego, Free!

26 Jun - Tree Fruit & Small Fruit Twilight Meeting 3 - 6pm Refreshments & DEC Credit Sign In, Medina, Free!

30 July - 2026  Cornell Fruit Field Day, Geneva.  Stay tuned for updates.




Now Hiring!

Join Cornell Cooperative Extension's Lake Ontario Fruit Program -- a full-time, hybrid role supporting commercial fruit growers through education, applied research, and industry collaboration in western New York. See more details to determine if this role is right for you.

2026 Respirator Fit Testing!

2026 Respirator Fit Testing Opportunities:

To help ensure a comfortable and well-coordinated clinic for all participants, event time and location details will be provided at the time of registration.

April 2026 - Wayne County - is full for additional testing opportunities contact URMC or NYCAMH

May 2026 - Orleans County - Registration Open Now - https://www.nycamh.org/services/training/respirator-fit-testing/



Clean Sweep NY

The Spring 2026 collection will take place from May 5-8, 2026, in Western, New York. For more information about CleanSweepNY or to request a registration form for the Spring 2026 collection, please email (cleansweep@dec.ny.gov) or call 518-225-8146.

Tuesday, May 5 - Depew (Erie County)
Wednesday, May 6 - Lockport (Niagara County)
Thursday, May 7 - Spencerport (Monroe County)
Friday, May 8 - Waterloo (Seneca County)

More information about CleanSweepNY can be found at https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/pesticides/special-initiatives


SPARC Orchard Roundup Podcast

Check out the first SPARC Orchard Roundup episode. In less than 15 minutes you'll get a sense for what we are seeing across regions in terms of bud stage, flower bud phenology, return bloom, and bud survival. You'll also hear about how phenology varies north to south within each state, and some tips on what weather patterns this winter (past for some, still occurring for others) and spring contributed to what we are seeing.

Find and follow the SPARC Orchard Roundup podcast on your preferred platform. We are on Spotify, Apple, Podcast Index, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Listen Notes, and Player FM.

For links to more ways to listen and the full article visit https://treefruit.wsu.edu/article/whats-budding-across-the-country/

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

2026 Recordings & Materials


Cornell Statewide Pink Meeting Recording - https://youtu.be/cnQtklNa1i4


2025 Recordings & Materials




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:




2026 NY Apple Pathology Season: Apple Scab Updates

Apple Scab 2026 Updates Text for news letters and videos:
https://blogs.cornell.edu/coxlab/


Cornell Crop and Pest Management Guidelines

Cornell Integrated Pest Management has announced a pause in Crop and Pest Management Guideline production for 2026 to allow time to restructure and modernize the program for the future.

The 2025 editions will remain available through the Cornell Store (print while supplies last; online versions available until 2027). https://www.cornellstore.com/books/cornell-cooperative-ext-pmep-guidelines?page=1

An exception is the 2026-2027 New York/New England Greenhouse/Herbaceous Ornamentals Guidelines, which will be published as planned.

Updates will be shared as progress continues.

2026 Beginning Farmer Competitive Grant Program

2026 Beginning Farmer Competitive Grant Program
$1.7 Million Available for New York Beginning Farmers
New York Farm Viability Institute is pleased to announce that the 2026 NYS Beginning Farmer Competitive Grant Program (BFCG) is now open as of March 16. The BFCG is a competitive funding opportunity administered in partnership with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. The program will provide 1.7 million to support beginning farmers in building financially sustainable, independent, commercial agricultural enterprises throughout New York State. RFP closes on June 14, 2026.
Additional details on the project including applicant eligibility, supported project activities, and upcoming informational webinars can be found here: 2026 Beginning Farmer Competitive Grant Program - NYFVI.ORG https://nyfvi.org/grant-programs/producer-grants/beginning-farmer/2026-bf/


NEWA weather stations moving to a new dashboard!

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



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

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.