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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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


Income Tax Planning for Farms that File a Schedule F

A three-part series for farms that are already filing a Schedule F covering tax planning and goals, handling farm profits/losses, and strategies to improve your tax position while also working positively with your accountant/tax preparer.






Event Details

Session 1: Tax Planning, Goals, and Foundations

Date

October 13, 2021

Time

7pm - 8:30pm

Location

Online via Zoom

Cost

Regular : $25.00

Regular registration fee (per farm basis)

Scholarship : Free

Free for those experiencing financial hardship (no documentation needed) thanks to our sponsors!

NY FarmNet Consultant : Free

Free Registration for NY FarmNet Consultants

Host

Lake Ontario Fruit Program


Session 1: Tax Planning, Goals, and Foundations



A three-part series for farms that are already filing a Schedule F covering tax planning and goals, handling farm profits/losses, and strategies to improve your tax position while also working positively with your accountant/tax preparer. Our first session will provide an overview of tax planning, the management of tax liability, and assessing your record keeping system. Second session will delve into everything Schedule F - depreciation and classifying revenues and expenses. The final session will be led by a professional tax-preparer who will introduce tax planning strategies and the timeline for implementation with ample time for questions and discussion.

This course is part of Cornell Cooperative Extension's Farmer Tax School: An educational series from Cornell Cooperative Extension Farm Business Management Specialists offering courses designed to inform and empower farm managers to better understand their tax obligations, management strategies, and improve farm profitability. This consists of four courses offered October 2021 - January 2022. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/ccetaxschool.

COST: Each course has its own fee. See below for more information regarding our program scholarships.

REGISTRATION: Register online by visiting tinyurl.com/ccetaxschool. This is REQUIRED three business days in advance of the workshop. You can register for one, some of, or all courses. Following your registration, you will receive a confirmation email and an invitation to complete a pre-course survey. This survey will help our instructors tailor the topics covered in each course.

CAN'T MAKE IT LIVE?: Sign up any and we'll send you a recording following the workshop.

TECH REQUIREMENTS: Zoom (on phone, tablet, or computer). You may also call in and request paper documents be mailed to you.

IS THIS FOR ME?: This series has options for agricultural producers of all shapes, sizes, and time in business.

SPONSORSHIP: We are currently seeking agribusiness sponsorship for this series. We will be providing all of our participants with a directory of sponsors and their financial support services offered.

Experiencing financial hardship? Attend for free! Select the "scholarship" option at payment. Support for this option is made possible by our generous sponsors.

For more information, or for assistance in finding the course that is right for you, contact your regional Farm Business Management Specialist or any of the following planning team members:

  • Bonnie Collins, CCE Oneida County, 315-335-4268, bsc33@cornell.edu
  • Steve Hadcock, Capital Area Agriculture and Horticulture, 518-380-1497, seh11@cornell.edu
  • Elizabeth Higgins, Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture, 518-949-3722, emh56@cornell.edu
  • Mary Kate MacKenzie, South Central New York Dairy and Field Crops, 509-294-6073, mkw87@cornell.edu
  • Dayton Maxwell, Capital Area Agriculture and Horticulture, 518-380-1498, dtm4@cornell.edu
  • Joan Petzen, Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops, 716-378-5267, jsp10@cornell.edu
  • Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops, 716-640-0522, kaw249@cornell.edu

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. For accommodations and accessibility concerns, please Katelyn Walley-Stoll by calling 716-640-0522. This information is for educational and reference purposes only and is not a substitute for sound legal counsel and tax preparation. Cornell Cooperative Extension is dedicated to proving research-based information to our agricultural producers. Every effort has been made to provide correct, complete and up-to-date recommendations. Changes occur constantly and human errors are possible.





Event Details

Session 2: Understanding the Schedule F, Depreciation, Profit/Loss Determinations

Date

October 20, 2021

Time

7pm - 8:30pm

Location

Online via Zoom

Host

Lake Ontario Fruit Program


Session 2: Understanding the Schedule F, Depreciation, Profit/Loss Determinations



A three-part series for farms that are already filing a Schedule F covering tax planning and goals, handling farm profits/losses, and strategies to improve your tax position while also working positively with your accountant/tax preparer. Our first session will provide an overview of tax planning, the management of tax liability, and assessing your record keeping system. Second session will delve into everything Schedule F - depreciation and classifying revenues and expenses. The final session will be led by a professional tax-preparer who will introduce tax planning strategies and the timeline for implementation with ample time for questions and discussion.

This course is part of Cornell Cooperative Extension's Farmer Tax School: An educational series from Cornell Cooperative Extension Farm Business Management Specialists offering courses designed to inform and empower farm managers to better understand their tax obligations, management strategies, and improve farm profitability. This consists of four courses offered October 2021 - January 2022. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/ccetaxschool.

COST: Each course has its own fee. See below for more information regarding our program scholarships.

REGISTRATION: Register online by visiting tinyurl.com/ccetaxschool. This is REQUIRED three business days in advance of the workshop. You can register for one, some of, or all courses. Following your registration, you will receive a confirmation email and an invitation to complete a pre-course survey. This survey will help our instructors tailor the topics covered in each course.

CAN'T MAKE IT LIVE?: Sign up any and we'll send you a recording following the workshop.

TECH REQUIREMENTS: Zoom (on phone, tablet, or computer). You may also call in and request paper documents be mailed to you.

IS THIS FOR ME?: This series has options for agricultural producers of all shapes, sizes, and time in business.

SPONSORSHIP: We are currently seeking agribusiness sponsorship for this series. We will be providing all of our participants with a directory of sponsors and their financial support services offered.

Experiencing financial hardship? Attend for free! Select the "scholarship" option at payment. Support for this option is made possible by our generous sponsors.

For more information, or for assistance in finding the course that is right for you, contact your regional Farm Business Management Specialist or any of the following planning team members:

  • Bonnie Collins, CCE Oneida County, 315-335-4268, bsc33@cornell.edu
  • Steve Hadcock, Capital Area Agriculture and Horticulture, 518-380-1497, seh11@cornell.edu
  • Elizabeth Higgins, Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture, 518-949-3722, emh56@cornell.edu
  • Mary Kate MacKenzie, South Central New York Dairy and Field Crops, 509-294-6073, mkw87@cornell.edu
  • Dayton Maxwell, Capital Area Agriculture and Horticulture, 518-380-1498, dtm4@cornell.edu
  • Joan Petzen, Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops, 716-378-5267, jsp10@cornell.edu
  • Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops, 716-640-0522, kaw249@cornell.edu

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. For accommodations and accessibility concerns, please Katelyn Walley-Stoll by calling 716-640-0522. This information is for educational and reference purposes only and is not a substitute for sound legal counsel and tax preparation. Cornell Cooperative Extension is dedicated to proving research-based information to our agricultural producers. Every effort has been made to provide correct, complete and up-to-date recommendations. Changes occur constantly and human errors are possible.





Event Details

Session 3: Income Tax Planning Strategies and Timelines

Date

October 27, 2021

Time

7pm - 8:30pm

Location

Online via Zoom

Host

Lake Ontario Fruit Program


Session 3: Income Tax Planning Strategies and Timelines



A three-part series for farms that are already filing a Schedule F covering tax planning and goals, handling farm profits/losses, and strategies to improve your tax position while also working positively with your accountant/tax preparer. Our first session will provide an overview of tax planning, the management of tax liability, and assessing your record keeping system. Second session will delve into everything Schedule F - depreciation and classifying revenues and expenses. The final session will be led by a professional tax-preparer who will introduce tax planning strategies and the timeline for implementation with ample time for questions and discussion.

This course is part of Cornell Cooperative Extension's Farmer Tax School: An educational series from Cornell Cooperative Extension Farm Business Management Specialists offering courses designed to inform and empower farm managers to better understand their tax obligations, management strategies, and improve farm profitability. This consists of four courses offered October 2021 - January 2022. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/ccetaxschool.

COST: Each course has its own fee. See below for more information regarding our program scholarships.

REGISTRATION: Register online by visiting tinyurl.com/ccetaxschool. This is REQUIRED three business days in advance of the workshop. You can register for one, some of, or all courses. Following your registration, you will receive a confirmation email and an invitation to complete a pre-course survey. This survey will help our instructors tailor the topics covered in each course.

CAN'T MAKE IT LIVE?: Sign up any and we'll send you a recording following the workshop.

TECH REQUIREMENTS: Zoom (on phone, tablet, or computer). You may also call in and request paper documents be mailed to you.

IS THIS FOR ME?: This series has options for agricultural producers of all shapes, sizes, and time in business.

SPONSORSHIP: We are currently seeking agribusiness sponsorship for this series. We will be providing all of our participants with a directory of sponsors and their financial support services offered.

Experiencing financial hardship? Attend for free! Select the "scholarship" option at payment. Support for this option is made possible by our generous sponsors.

For more information, or for assistance in finding the course that is right for you, contact your regional Farm Business Management Specialist or any of the following planning team members:

  • Bonnie Collins, CCE Oneida County, 315-335-4268, bsc33@cornell.edu
  • Steve Hadcock, Capital Area Agriculture and Horticulture, 518-380-1497, seh11@cornell.edu
  • Elizabeth Higgins, Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture, 518-949-3722, emh56@cornell.edu
  • Mary Kate MacKenzie, South Central New York Dairy and Field Crops, 509-294-6073, mkw87@cornell.edu
  • Dayton Maxwell, Capital Area Agriculture and Horticulture, 518-380-1498, dtm4@cornell.edu
  • Joan Petzen, Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops, 716-378-5267, jsp10@cornell.edu
  • Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops, 716-640-0522, kaw249@cornell.edu

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. For accommodations and accessibility concerns, please Katelyn Walley-Stoll by calling 716-640-0522. This information is for educational and reference purposes only and is not a substitute for sound legal counsel and tax preparation. Cornell Cooperative Extension is dedicated to proving research-based information to our agricultural producers. Every effort has been made to provide correct, complete and up-to-date recommendations. Changes occur constantly and human errors are possible.



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 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 Eastern New York Fruit and Vegetable Conference

Event Offers DEC Credits

February 25 - February 26, 2026
Albany , NY

The Annual Eastern NY Fruit and Vegetable Conference is two days filled with informative sessions on Tree Fruit, Vegetables, Small Fruit, Grapes, Greenhouse and a special Food Safety Wash and Pack session!  While there you can also visit with more than 50 exhibitors!

Northeast Fruit Consortium Winter Webinar Series

Event Offers DEC Credits

February 4, 2026 : Management of Up and Coming Strawberry Diseases in the Northeastern United States


February 11, 2026 : Kiwiberry Production in the Northeast


February 18, 2026 : Apple Color and Sunburn


Event Offers DEC Credits

February 25, 2026 : The Dating Game; Updates in Lepidopteran Mating Disruption


Event Offers DEC Credits

March 4, 2026 : Update: USEPA Endangered Species Act and Implications for Pesticide Use


March 11, 2026 : Practical Drought Management for Fruit Growers

Announcements

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 Winter Fruit School Survey Link

2026 Winter Fruit School Survey

If you attended the 2026 Winter Fruit School. Please take a moment and let us know what you liked and how you think we can improve this event.

Event Survey Link https://cornell.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3Otvd7ylJ106HLo

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

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

25 Feb - 2026 Tree Fruit Scouting Online Course: Week 1 - 4:30 - 6pm,  Online, Free, Register by February 18th!

26 Feb - Advisory Committee Meeting - Program Updates, Details to follow!

27 Feb - 2026 Virtual Orchard Meetup Series - 1:30 - 3pm, Online, Register Now!

4 Mar - Tree Fruit Scouting Online Course: Week 2 - 4:30 - 6pm, Online, Free

9 Mar - DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Pre-Exam Training Day 1 - 8:15am - 12:30pm, CCE Orleans, Reserve by March 1!


11 Mar - 2026 USDA-SCRI SPARC Heat School - 11:30am - 5:40pm, Wenatchee, WA, In-person learning hub in Waterport, NY, & Virtual.

11 Mar - Tree Fruit Scouting Online Course: Week 3 - 4:30 - 6pm, Online, Free

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


16 Mar - DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Exam - 8:30am, CCE Orleans, Register with DEC by March 1st!


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

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.