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?

Not an Enrollee? Enroll Now!

Online Enrollment Form

Not an Enrollee? Enroll Now!

Online Enrollment Form


2021 Virtual 'Honeycrisp' Meetup Summer Series

As a follow-up to the 2021 IFTA Virtual Honeycrisp Tours, these meetups will provide an opportunity to review challenges, best practices, and new recommendations for Honeycrisp production. 

Led by a panel of scientists and growers across regions involved in the USDA-SCRI Root2Fruit project and leading Honeycrisp producers.

Facilitated by B. Sallato WSU Extension, M. Miranda Sazo Cornell Cooperative Extension, and A. Wallis MSU Extension.





Event Details

Crop Load Management

Date

June 3, 2021

Time

7pm

Location

Online

Cost

Free Registration : Free

Host

Lake Ontario Fruit Program


Crop Load Management



This nationwide extension effort is conducted in close collaboration with IFTA Education Director Greg Lang (MSU) and scientists from USDA-SCRI Root2Fruit project (led by Dr. Cheng at Cornell). With so much new information generated through the R2F project about Honeycrisp nutrient management and rootstocks, there is a tremendous value in having an open discussion and in an inclusive virtual format this summer. Each webinar will include a very short presentation and/or a video clip from the IFTA recordings followed by a panel of growers and R2F researchers to answer your questions.

Whether you are an experienced Honeycrisp fruit grower, one that has modest experience, or one that is planning to establish a modern Honeycrisp planting in the next 2-3 years, the virtual Honeycrisp meetups will be the right setting for you to ask questions and find the right technical information based on the most recent R2F science.

Please register as soon as you can for these free educational opportunities!

Register: https://wsu.zoom.us/webinar/re...

Scroll down to for additional date registration links

Links to recordings of these meetings will be posted here https://lof.cce.cornell.edu/su... as they become available.




Event Details

Rootstocks

Date

June 17, 2021

Time

7pm

Location

Online

Host

Lake Ontario Fruit Program


Rootstocks



This nationwide extension effort is conducted in close collaboration with IFTA Education Director Greg Lang (MSU) and scientists from USDA-SCRI Root2Fruit project (led by Dr. Cheng at Cornell). With so much new information generated through the R2F project about Honeycrisp nutrient management and rootstocks, there is a tremendous value in having an open discussion and in an inclusive virtual format this summer. Each webinar will include a very short presentation and/or a video clip from the IFTA recordings followed by a panel of growers and R2F researchers to answer your questions.

Whether you are an experienced Honeycrisp fruit grower, one that has modest experience, or one that is planning to establish a modern Honeycrisp planting in the next 2-3 years, the virtual Honeycrisp meetups will be the right setting for you to ask questions and find the right technical information based on the most recent R2F science.

Please register as soon as you can for these free educational opportunities!

Register: https://wsu.zoom.us/webinar/re...

Scroll down to for additional date registration link




Event Details

Nutrient Management

Date

July 1, 2021

Time

7pm

Location

Online

Host

Lake Ontario Fruit Program


Nutrient Management



This nationwide extension effort is conducted in close collaboration with IFTA Education Director Greg Lang (MSU) and scientists from USDA-SCRI Root2Fruit project (led by Dr. Cheng at Cornell). With so much new information generated through the R2F project about Honeycrisp nutrient management and rootstocks, there is a tremendous value in having an open discussion and in an inclusive virtual format this summer. Each webinar will include a very short presentation and/or a video clip from the IFTA recordings followed by a panel of growers and R2F researchers to answer your questions.

Whether you are an experienced Honeycrisp fruit grower, one that has modest experience, or one that is planning to establish a modern Honeycrisp planting in the next 2-3 years, the virtual Honeycrisp meetups will be the right setting for you to ask questions and find the right technical information based on the most recent R2F science.

Please register as soon as you can for these free educational opportunities!

Register: https://wsu.zoom.us/webinar/re...    






Event Details

Harvest and Storage

Date

July 15, 2021

Time

7-8:30pm

Location

Online

Host

Lake Ontario Fruit Program


Harvest and Storage



This nationwide extension effort is conducted in close collaboration with IFTA Education Director Greg Lang (MSU) and scientists from USDA-SCRI Root2Fruit project (led by Dr. Cheng at Cornell). With so much new information generated through the R2F project about Honeycrisp nutrient management and rootstocks, there is a tremendous value in having an open discussion and in an inclusive virtual format this summer. Each webinar will include a very short presentation and/or a video clip from the IFTA recordings followed by a panel of growers and R2F researchers to answer your questions.

Whether you are an experienced Honeycrisp fruit grower, one that has modest experience, or one that is planning to establish a modern Honeycrisp planting in the next 2-3 years, the virtual Honeycrisp meetups will be the right setting for you to ask questions and find the right technical information based on the most recent R2F science.

Please register as soon as you can for these free educational opportunities!

Register: https://wsu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3DrwE7UDQo2rTT4dKN8x0g

Scroll down to for additional date registration links

Links to recordings of these meetings will be posted here https://lof.cce.cornell.edu/su... as they become available.



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
view calendar of events

Upcoming Events

Pesticide Applicator Review Course & Exam

March 24, 2026 : Review Course - Day 1
Newark, NY

This 2-day course will go over the core information to help applicators pass the applicators exam, which students will take on April 2nd after the course is concluded.  *Note: This is not the 30-hour course, and you will need to meet the requirements set by the DEC to qualify for the exam.*

March 26, 2026 : Review Course - Day 2
Newark, NY

This 2-day course will go over the core information to help applicators pass the applicators exam, which students will take on April 2nd after the course is concluded.  *Note: This is not the 30-hour course, and you will need to meet the requirements set by the DEC to qualify for the exam.*

2026 Tree Fruit Scouting Online Course

Event Offers DEC Credits

February 25, 2026 : Week 1 - IPM Fundamentals + Tools

This course trains tree fruit growers, orchard employees, industry professionals and interested students on the biology, identification and monitoring of major economically significant orchard pests, using an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. This course is FREE and provides an annual opportunity for growers to refresh their knowledge in advance of the growing season.  Register by February 18th.

Event Offers DEC Credits

March 4, 2026 : Week 2 - Insects: Part 1

This course trains tree fruit growers, orchard employees, industry professionals and interested students on the biology, identification and monitoring of major economically significant orchard pests, using an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. This course is FREE and provides an annual opportunity for growers to refresh their knowledge in advance of the growing season.  Register by February 18th.

Event Offers DEC Credits

March 11, 2026 : Week 3 - Insects: Part 2

This course trains tree fruit growers, orchard employees, industry professionals and interested students on the biology, identification and monitoring of major economically significant orchard pests, using an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. This course is FREE and provides an annual opportunity for growers to refresh their knowledge in advance of the growing season.  Register by February 18th.

Event Offers DEC Credits

March 18, 2026 : Week 4 - Diseases

This course trains tree fruit growers, orchard employees, industry professionals and interested students on the biology, identification and monitoring of major economically significant orchard pests, using an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. This course is FREE and provides an annual opportunity for growers to refresh their knowledge in advance of the growing season.  Register by February 18th.

Event Offers DEC Credits

March 25, 2026 : Week 5 - Weeds, Wildlife, + Wrap-Up

This course trains tree fruit growers, orchard employees, industry professionals and interested students on the biology, identification and monitoring of major economically significant orchard pests, using an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. This course is FREE and provides an annual opportunity for growers to refresh their knowledge in advance of the growing season.  Register by February 18th.

2026 Wayne County - Certified Pesticide Applicator License Exam

April 2, 2026
Newark, NY

A Certification Exam will be administered on April 2nd by the DEC to Qualified Applicants.

Announcements

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/


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 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 - Register by March 31st - to sign up or for more details contact jev67@cornell.edu or emt44@cornell.edu

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


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.

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

18 Mar - Postharvest Water Management, Sanitation, and Traceability Workshop - 9am - 4pm, CCE Orleans, Register Now! 2.75 DEC Credits available in 10,1a,22,23.

18 Mar - Tree Fruit Scouting Online Course: Week 4 - 4:30 - 6pm, Online, Free

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!

20 Mar - Harmonized GAP Plus+ Plan Writing Session - 7:30am Sign-in, CCE Wayne, Register Now!

24 Mar - Pesticide Applicators Review Course & Exam - Day 1 - 9am - 1pm, CCE Wayne, Register Now!

25 Mar - Tree Fruit Scouting Online Course: Week 5 - 4:30 - 6pm, Online, Free


2 Apr - DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Exam - 9am, CCE Wayne, Register Now!

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




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


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:




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

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.