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?

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Online Enrollment Form

Not an Enrollee? Enroll Now!

Online Enrollment Form

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Financial Future - Futuro Financiero Classes for Western New York Agricultural Managers and Supervisors

Coming to Western New York Winter 2022!  See what growers are saying about this course.

Promoting the development of leadership skills among key employees is an investment in a business owner's most valuable resource - employees! Futuro Financiero is a 5-week professional development program specifically designed to increase leadership and managerial skill-sets, while increasing overall confidence in English language communication.

Futuro Financiero graduates are agricultural professionals, who posses the skills necessary to efficiently manage multi-lingual farm work teams. Participating farm businesses value and promote mutual respect and deeper cultural understanding throughout the workforce. This concept is particularly important where English and Spanish speakers convene to grow and harvest New York State's finest!

Eligibility: Open to all commodities. Spanish-speaking and aspiring Ag managers and farm employees in NYS. The Winter 2022 course will be held in the Western New York Lake Ontario Region. Please contact us for future course locations.

Questions?  - Contact Nicole Waters (en español - Mildred Alvarado)

Cornell Small Farms Program

  https://smallfarms.cornell.edu...

In collaboration with the Cornell Cooperative Extension Lake Ontario Fruit Program

Sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension Lake Ontario Fruit Program, NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets, & Yes! Apples


About Futuro Financiero

One-of-a-kind professional development experience that builds upon the knowledge that developing leadership skills among key employees is an investment in a farm business's ultimate success.

Course Dates: 

  • PLEASE NOTE DUE TO WEATHER THE 1ST CLASS HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED it will occur Thursday, February 10, 9:00am-4:00pm
  • Thursday, February 17, 9:00am-4:00pm
  • Thursday, March 3, 9:00am-4:00pm
  • Graduation Celebration: Saturday, March 5, 4:00pm-7:00pm

Course outcomes include:

  • Deeper understanding of the farm business
  • Ability to create stronger, more efficient farm work teams
  • Increased communication across all farm employee levels
  • Increase in trust between employer and employees'
  • Deeper understanding of employees' value to the business
  • Increased overall confidence and personal well-being
  • Foundational knowledge for future career growth
co-hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension

Farm Owner Testimonials for Futuro Financiero:

"The impact will be definite for this type of training. Without managers, our business could not function. We need capable people in managerial positions. The more effective middle managers are the more effective the overall business is."

-Class of 2019 Western New York Farm Business Owner

"The class absolutely will have a positive impact. She has more confidence in speaking English. She is texting more! Big difference!"

-Class of 2018 Western New York Farm Business Owner

See what growers are saying about this course.  

Invierno 2022: Clases de Futuro Financiero para Gerentes Agrícolas y Supervisores del Oeste del Estado de Nueva York

!Proximamente en el Oeste de Nueva York en el invierno de 2022!

¡Promover el desarrollo de habilidades de liderazgo entre los empleados clave es una inversión en el recurso más valioso de un empresario- sus empleados!. Futuro Financiero es un programa de desarrollo profesional de 5 semanas, específicamente diseñado para aumentar las habilidades de liderazgo y gestión empresarial, al mismo tiempo que incrementa la confianza de comunicarse en inglés de los empleados que no hablan inglés como primera lengua.

Los graduados de Futuro Financiero son profesionales de la agricultura, que poseen las habilidades necesarias para gestionar eficazmente equipos de trabajo agrícolas multilingües. Las empresas agrícolas participantes valoran y promueven el respeto mutuo y un mayor entendimiento cultural en toda su fuerza laboral. Siendo este concepto especialmente importante en los casos en los que hablantes de inglés y de español se reúnen para cultivar y cosechar lo mejor del Estado de Nueva York.

Requisitos: Abierto a todas las empresas agrícolas sin importar su rubro de producción; empresas que desean mejorar las habilidades de sus gerentes o mandos medios que hablan español o que cuentan con empleados aspirantes a gerentes agrícolas. El curso de invierno de 2022 se llevara a cabo en la región del Lago Ontario del Oeste de Nueva York. Por favor, póngase en contacto con nosotros para proporcionarles información sobre los lugares y ubicación del curso.

¿Preguntas?  - Contacte a Nicole Waters para información en Ingles, o a Mildred Alvarado para información en español

Cornell Small Farms Program

Sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension Lake Ontario Fruit Program, NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets, & Yes! Apples

En colaboración con el Programa de Frutas del Lago Ontario de la Cooperativa de Extension de Cornell

¡Regístrese aquí!


Sobre Futuro Financiero

Una experiencia de desarrollo profesional única que se basa en el conocimiento de que el desarrollo de habilidades de liderazgo entre los empleados clave de su negocio es una inversión efectiva para alcanzar los obejtivos de su empresa agrícola exitosamente.

Los resultados del curso incluyen:

  • Una comprensión más profunda del negocio agrícola
  • Capacidad para crear equipos de trabajo agrícolas más fuertes y eficientes
  • Aumento de la comunicación en todos los niveles de los empleados de la empresa
  • Aumento de la confianza entre el empresario y los empleados
  • Comprensión más profunda del valor de los empleados para la empresa
  • Aumento de la confianza general y del bienestar personal
  • Conocimientos fundamentales para el futuro crecimiento profesional
co-organizado por Cornell Cooperative Extension (Cooperativa de Extensión de Cornell)

Testimonios de propietarios de Pequeñas Agro-empresas sobre Futuro Financiero:

"El impacto será definitivo para este tipo de capacitación. Sin gerentes, nuestra empresa no podría funcionar. Necesitamos personas capaces en los puestos de gestión. Cuanto más efectivos sean los mandos intermedios, más efectivo será el negocio en general."
-Clase de 2019 Propietario de un negocio agrícola del oeste de Nueva York

"El curso absolutamente tendrá un impacto positivo. Ella tiene más confianza al hablar inglés. ¡Ella está enviando más mensajes de texto! Gran diferencia!"

-Clase de 2018 Propietario de negocio agrícola del oeste de Nueva York





Financial Future - Futuro Financiero Flyer (PDF; 9889KB)



Event Details

Day 1 - Class

Date

February 10, 2022

Time

9am - 4pm

Location

TBD once participants have registered - Orleans, Monroe, or Wayne County

Cost

Free Registration : Free

Limit of 15 participants, preregister to reserve your seat.

Host

Cornell Small Farms Program

Nicole Waters
607-227-6743


Day 1 - Class



Day 1 - Class

Class location and topic details to follow.

Ubicación de la clase y detalles del tema a seguir.




Event Details

Day 2 - Class

Date

February 17, 2022

Time

9am - 4pm

Location

TBD once participants have registered - Orleans, Monroe, or Wayne County

Host

Cornell Small Farms Program

Nicole Waters
607-227-6743


Day 2 - Class



Class location and topic details to follow.

Ubicación de la clase y detalles del tema a seguir.




Event Details

Day 3 - Class

Date

March 3, 2022

Time

9am - 4pm

Location

TBD once participants have registered - Orleans, Monroe, or Wayne County

Host

Cornell Small Farms Program

Nicole Waters
607-227-6743


Day 3 - Class



Class location and topic details to follow.

Ubicación de la clase y detalles del tema a seguir.




Event Details

Day 4 - Graduation

Date

March 5, 2022

Time

4 - 7pm

Location

TBA

Host

Cornell Small Farms Program

Nicole Waters
607-227-6743


Day 4 - Graduation



Class location and topic details to follow.

Ubicación de la clase y detalles del tema a seguir.



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

Cornell Statewide Pink Meeting

April 21, 2026

Join us for a statewide pink zoom meeting covering key topics including crop load, frost risk, disease, and insect management, followed by Q&A; the session will be recorded and shared on both programs' YouTube channels.

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.

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 - Online, 1-2:30pm, No Registration Required

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.




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 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


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/


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/

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.

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.