WSU Tree Fruit Heat School - In Person Learning Hub - Location Change - Albion, NY
Event Details
Date
March 11, 2026
Time
Learning Hub 11:30am - 5:30pm EST
Location
CCE Orleans County Education Center - Curtis Classroom
12690 NY 31
Albion, NY 14411
Host
***NOTE IN PERSON LEARNING HUB LOCATION CHANGE - ALBION, NY***
The WSU Tree Fruit Heat School will focus on understanding and managing heat-related challenges in apple and pear production. The program brings together research-based insights and applied discussions on sunburn physiology and mitigation, red color development in apples and pears, and the impacts of heat on postharvest storage and fruit quality. Each session will include an expert presentation, followed by a panel discussion with panelists from across the US.
This event will be held in-person at Wenatchee Valley College, with in-person regional learning hubs in Hood River (OR), Plattsburgh (NY), Highland (NY), Waterport (NY), Hart (MI), Biglerville (PA), or fully virtual through ZOOM. Registration is required for a meal to be provided for in-person registrants.
Detailed information on learning hubs and joining virtually will be sent via email after registration. The in-person event in Wenatchee, WA, will be held at Wenatchee Valley College, in the Jack & Edna Maguire Conference Center.
The event runs from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm PST (11:30 am to 5:30 pm EST) on March 11th, 2026.
Registration will close on March 2nd, 2026.
Register for this event here: https://forms.office.com/r/wHfRkt7Fjj
Agenda
8:30 AM PST/11:30 AM EST: Welcome and housekeeping
8:45 AM PST: Sunburn Physiology
Lee Kalcsits, Washington State University
9:30 AM PST: Sunburn Mitigation
Panel Discussion
10:15 AM PST: Break
10:45 AM PST: Red color physiology
Lailiang Cheng, Cornell University
11:30 AM PST: Improving red color coverage and reducing blush for apple and pear
Panel Discussion
12:15 PM PST: Break
1:00 PM PST: Heat effects on postharvest storage and fruit quality
Carolina Torres, Washington State University, and Kelsey Galimba, Oregon State University
1:45 PM PST: Historical and future patterns in sunburn risk
Kirti Rajagopalan, Washington State University
2:15 PM PST: Closing remarks and survey
This work is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture - Specialty Crop Research Initiative project "Preparing U.S. Pome Fruit Production for Extreme Temperatures in a Changing Climate" (2024-51181-43289; Accession #1032988).
Apples
Apricots
Asian Pears
Blueberries
Cherries
Currants
Gooseberries
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Plums
Raspberries / Blackberries
Strawberries
Unusual Fruit
Upcoming Events
2026 Orleans County - DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Pre-Exam Training
March 9, 2026 : DEC Certified Applicator Pre-Exam Training Day 1
Albion, NY
This training is only for those with experience and does not qualify for the 30-hour official DEC training - you are exempt from the 30 hour training (and eligible for this coaching session) if you have pesticide application experience, either through working on your own farm or through employment on another farm.
March 13, 2026 : DEC Certified Applicator Pre-Exam Training Day 2
Albion, NY
This training is only for those with experience and does not qualify for the 30-hour official DEC training - you are exempt from the 30 hour training (and eligible for this coaching session) if you have pesticide application experience, either through working on your own farm or through employment on another farm.
2026 Orleans County - DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Exam
March 16, 2026
Albion, NY
A Certification Exam will be administered on March 16th by the DEC to Qualified Applicants. Plan to arrive by 8:30am. The fee for the exam is $100: bring a check payable to NYSDEC the day of the exam. You must register with DEC to take the exam. To register for the exam or if you have questions regarding the Certification Process, please contact Justin Schoff at the Bath DEC office (607) 622-8290.
Postharvest Water Management, Sanitation, and Traceability Workshop
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Albion, NY
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2.75 NYSDEC CEU's in categories 10, 1a, 22, and 23 available.