2026 Virtual Orchard Meetup Series
These meetups will provide an opportunity to discuss challenges related to heat stress in summer and fall, identify opportunities to improve fruit quality, and remain profitable. They are led by a panel of scientists and tree fruit growers from across the United States and Canada. Join the conversation!
The 2026 Series is sponsored by SPARC: Strengthening Pear and Apple Resilience to Climate sparcscri.com
Scroll down for event registration.
Event Details
Date
February 27, 2026
Time
10:30 AM (PST) / 1:30 PM (EST)
Location
Online via Zoom
Host
Lake Ontario Fruit ProgramSession 1
These meetups will provide an opportunity to discuss challenges related to heat stress in summer and fall, identify opportunities to improve fruit quality, and remain profitable. They are led by a panel of scientists and tree fruit growers from across the United States and Canada. Join the conversation!
Overview of the SPARC project:
Dr. Lee Kalcsits, Dept. of Horticulture, Washington State University
Dr. Sonia Hall, Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, Washington State University
Panelists:
Garrett Henry, Douglas Fruit, WA
David Machial, Fairview Orchards, BC Kirk Kemp, Algoma Orchards, Ontario Scott Henning, Lake Ontario Fruit, NY Leighton Rice, Rice Fruit Company, PA Chad Wimmers, Mount Adams Orchards, OR Jamie Kober, Riveridge Produce, MI
Register at https://wsu.zoom.us/meeting/re...
Event Details
Date
June 11, 2026
Time
4-5:30pm PT/7-8:30pm ET
Location
Online via Zoom
Host
Lake Ontario Fruit ProgramSession 2
Details to follow.
Event Details
Date
June 18, 2026
Time
4-5:30pm PT/7-8:30pm ET
Location
Online via Zoom
Host
Lake Ontario Fruit ProgramDetails to follow.
Event Details
Date
June 25, 2026
Time
4-5:30pm PT/7-8:30pm ET
Location
Online via Zoom
Host
Lake Ontario Fruit ProgramSession 4
Details to follow.
Apples
Apricots
Asian Pears
Blueberries
Cherries
Currants
Gooseberries
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Plums
Raspberries / Blackberries
Strawberries
Unusual Fruit
Upcoming Events
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
2026 Winter Fruit Schools
February 4, 2026 : 2026 Winter Fruit School - Niagara County
Lockport, NY
CCE-LOF are excited to bring you a return to LOF's Winter Fruit Schools, in which there will be two nearly identical programs on consecutive days in two locations in LOF's territory. We are in the process of putting together the program, and have garnered key input from our growers, businesses, and other personnel. Please note registration cost increases after January 27th, Registration Now!
February 5, 2026 : 2026 Winter Fruit School - Wayne County
Williamson, NY
CCE-LOF are excited to bring you a return to LOF's Winter Fruit Schools, in which there will be two nearly identical programs on consecutive days in two locations in LOF's territory. We are in the process of putting together the program, and have garnered key input from our growers, businesses, and other personnel. Please note registration cost increases after January 27th, Registration Now!
Advisory Committee Meeting - Program Updates
February 26, 2026
Spencerport, NY
Join the Lake Ontario Fruit Team for programming updates and goals. This meeting is your chance to shape the research priorities of our specialists and team. Your insights are vital to delivering the most valuable resources and support to the WNY apple industry.