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

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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

Sorry, Pre-Registration for Day One: Tree Fruit has passed.

Sorry, Pre-Registration for Day Two: Tree Fruit has passed.

Sorry, Pre-Registration for Business Management Session has passed.

Sorry, Pre-Registration for Small Fruit Session has passed.

Sorry, Pre-Registration for Vegetable Session has passed.


2018 Eastern New York Fruit and Vegetable Conference

This two day conference combines all of ENYCHP's traditional fruit and vegetable meetings into one large event in the Capital Region.  Sessions will include two full days of tree fruit programing, one day of vegetable programing, a half day of berry and half day of agricultural business management. 

Register before February 13th for a reduced rate!  Hot Lunch and admission to the trade show are included with the registration fee.

DEC Credits will be available in the Tree Fruit, Vegetable, and Small Fruit Sessions. 

Rooms are available for those who wish to stay overnight at the Desmond. Reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly at 800-448-3500. Please ask for our reduced conference rate.



Day One: Tree Fruit

Event Offers DEC Credits

February 20, 2018

8:00am-4:00pm

The Desmond Conference Center
660 Albany Shaker Road
Albany, NY 12211


Cost

$60.00
ENYCHP Enrollees recieve a $10 discount! Enroll Here: https://enych.cce.cornell.edu/enrollment.php
At the Door
$80.00 Non-enrolled Walk-ins
$70.00 ENYCHP Enrollees

Day One: Tree Fruit

DAY ONE AGENDA: 4 DEC Credits available (10, 1A, 22)

(Full Conference Agenda Below)

8:00  Registration

8:50  Introductions and Announcements -Dan Donahue, CCE ENYCHP

9:00  Evaluation of Blossom and Shoot Blight Control with Different Copper Formulations, Apogee, Actigard, and Newer Biologicals - Dr. Srdjan Acimovic, Cornell Hudson Valley Research Laboratory

9:45 Biology of the Fire Blight Pathogen Erwinia amylovora Under Starvation Conditions: Survival Strategies and Virulence -Dr. Ricardo Delgado-Santander, Postdoctoral Associate, Cornell University

10:25 Expanding the Range for Establishing the Samurai Wasp, Trissolcus japonicus in Orchards and Vegetable Crops of NYS -Peter Jentsch, Senior Extension Associate in Entomology, Cornell University

10:30 Break

11:00 Observation and Discussion of Apple Decline in the Hudson Valley of New York State  -Dan Donahue, CCE ENYCHP

11:30 Updates on Products for Managing Diseases of Apples: Apple Scab, Powdery Mildew, Bitter Rot, and Fire Blight - Dr. Kerik Cox, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University

12:00  Hot Buffet Lunch and Trade Show

1:30 Crop Insurance -Elizabeth Higgins, CCE ENYCHP

2:00 Update on Plum Pox Virus in the Hudson Valley -Margaret Kelly, Assistant Director, Division of Plant Industry, New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets

2:15 Crop Load Management in Apples: Getting the Most Out of PGRs -Dr. Poliana Francescatto, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University

3:00 Registration and Efficacy Trial Updates on New Tree Fruit Insecticides in New York -Dr. Art Agnello, Department of Entomology, Cornell University

3:30 Northeast Pollinator Partnership findings and The Native Bee Assessment Tool -Maria Van Dyke, Department of Entomology, Cornell University

4:00 Trade Show

***Attendees are invited to attend an Industry Mixer following the Trade Show****

Rooms are available for those who wish to stay overnight at the Desmond.  Reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly at 800-448-3500.  Please ask for our reduced conference rate. 



Agenda 2018 Fruit and Vegetable Conference (PDF; 1891KB)


Day Two: Tree Fruit

Event Offers DEC Credits

February 21, 2018

8:00am-4:15pm

The Desmond Conference Center
660 Albany Shaker Road
Albany, NY 12211


Cost

$60.00
ENYCHP Enrollees recieve a $10 discount! Enroll Here: https://enych.cce.cornell.edu/enrollment.php
At the Door
$80.00 Non-enrolled Walk-ins
$70.00 ENYCHP Enrollees

Day Two: Tree Fruit

Day Two of Tree Fruit Programing and the Industry Trade Show. 2.5 DEC Credits available (10, 1A,22)

8:00 Registration, Sign DEC Rosters, coffee, and visit the Trade Show!

8:50 Introduction and Announcements— Michael Basedow, CCE ENYCHP

9:00 Asymptomatic Fire Blight Infections of Apple Rootstocks After 2016 Epidemic in NE New York and Implications for Apple Growers in NY Champlain and Hudson Valleys -Dr. Srdjan Acimovic, Cornell Hudson Valley Research Laboratory

9:30 Overview of Current Apple Rootstock Technologies in the Geneva Apple Rootstock Breeding Program -Dr. Gennaro Fazio, Cornell , USDA-ARS

10:00 New Varieties from the Cornell Apple Breeding Program -Dr. Susan Brown, Cornell University

11:00 The Land Grant Mission in 2018: Why R&D innovation in ag matters to consumers, and your farm's future- Julie Suarez, Associate Dean, CALS, Cornell University

11:30 New York Apple Association Update - Marketing New York Apples, a summary of promotional activities for 2017 crop year and NYAA's strategic work plan,-Cynthia Haskins, President

11:50 New York State Horticultural Society Update

12:05 Hudson Valley Research Laboratory Update

12:20 Hot Buffet Lunch, Visit Trade Show

1:30 Managing Fire Blight: A Cost/Benefit Analysis -Elizabeth Higgins, CCE ENYCHP

2:00 Honeycrisp, Bitter Pit, and Eastern New York: Connecting the spots? -Dan Donahue, CCE ENYCHP

2:30 Identification of Microbial Problems from Eastern NY Apple Orchards - Blossom Blast and Marssonina Leaf Blotch -Dr. Srdjan Acimovic, Cornell Hudson Valley Research Laboratory

3:00 Evaluations, DEC Sheets, & Visit Trade Show

Agenda 2018 Fruit and Vegetable Conference (PDF; 1891KB)


Business Management Session

February 20, 2018

8:00am-12:00pm

The Desmond Conference Center
660 Albany Shaker Road
Albany, NY 12211


Cost

$45.00
ENYCHP Enrollees recieve a $10 discount! Enroll Here: https://enych.cce.cornell.edu/enrollment.php
At the Door
$65.00 Non-enrolled Walk-ins
$55.00 ENYCHP Enrollees

Business Management Session

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AGENDA (Full Conference Agenda Below)

8:00  Registration

8:25 Introductions and Announcements- Liz Higgins, CCE ENYCHP

8:30 Community Supported Agriculture in Eastern New York - 2017 Data -Liz Higgins, CCE ENYCHP

9:00 Media Relations for Farmers: Are You Ready to Communicate Effectively with the Press and the Public About Your Farm?  -Steve Ammerman, New York Farm Bureau Public Affairs Manager

10:30 Navigating Through the Ag Labor Maze:   Resources for Farmers with a Latino Workforce        -Mary Jo Dudley, Cornell Farmworkers Program Director & Liz Higgins, CCE ENYCHP

12:00 Hot Lunch Buffet and Trade Show

Rooms are available for those who wish to stay overnight at the Desmond.  Reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly at 800-448-3500.  Please ask for our reduced conference rate. 



Agenda 2018 Fruit and Vegetable Conference (PDF; 1891KB)


Small Fruit Session

Event Offers DEC Credits

February 20, 2018

2:00pm-5:00pm

The Desmond Conference Center
660 Albany Shaker Road
Albany, NY 12211


Cost

$45.00
ENYCHP Enrollees recieve a $10 discount! Enroll Here: https://enych.cce.cornell.edu/enrollment.php
At the Door
$65.00 Non-enrolled Walk-ins
$55.00 ENYCHP Enrollees

Small Fruit Session

SMALL FRUIT AGENDA:  2.5 DEC Credits available (10, 1A, 22)

(Full Conference Agenda Below)

12:00 Hot Buffet Lunch and Trade Show

2:00 Introductions and Announcements -Laura McDermott, CCE ENYCHP

2:05 New Information on Integrating Low Tunnels into Day Neutral Strawberry Systems - Marvin Pritts, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University

2:45 Evaluating and Constructing Your Weed Management Plan -Bryan Brown, NYS Integrated Pest Management Program, Cornell University

3:30 Re-tooling Your Sprayer for Better SWD Control   -George Hamilton, University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Field Specialist

4:00 NEWA's Berry Models - How You Can Make Them Work for You - Juliet Carroll, NYS Integrated Pest Management Program, Cornell University

4:30 Why Can't I Grow Strawberries Anymore? Diagnosing and Managing Soil problems -Laura McDermott, CCE ENYCHP

5:00 Adjourn  

Rooms are available for those who wish to stay overnight at the Desmond.  Reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly at 800-448-3500.  Please ask for our reduced conference rate. 



Agenda 2018 Fruit and Vegetable Conference (PDF; 1891KB)


Vegetable Session

Event Offers DEC Credits

February 21, 2018

8:00am-4:15pm

The Desmond Conference Center
660 Albany Shaker Road
Albany, NY 12211


Cost

$60.00
ENYCHP Enrollees recieve a $10 discount! Enroll Here: https://enych.cce.cornell.edu/enrollment.php
At the Door
$80.00 Non-enrolled Walk-ins
$70.00 ENYCHP Enrollees

Vegetable Session

DAY ONE AGENDA:  3.5 DEC Credits available (10, 1A, 23)

(Full Conference Agenda Below)

8:00  Registration and Trade Show

8:55  Introduction and Announcements - Chuck Bornt, CCE ENYCHP

9:00  Developing Precision Water and Nutrient Systems in Vegetables - Dr. Darcy Telenko, CCE
Cornell Vegetable Program

9:35  Managing Sweet Corn Worm Pests with Newer Insecticides- Dr. Galen Dively, Department of Entomology, University of  Maryland

10:10 Optimizing Crop Protectant Performance with Adjuvants - Curt Matthews and Brooks Barefoot, Helena Chemical Company

10:45 Morning Break

11:15  Bird Management in Sweet Corn - Evaluating New Tools - Dr. Darcy Telenko, CCE Cornell Vegetable Program

11:50 Allium Leafminer: Looks Like It's Here to Stay -Teresa Rusinek and Ethan Grundberg, CCE  ENYCHP

12:15 Hot Lunch Buffet and Trade Show

1:30 Making the Most of Bio-Controls:  Mode of Action and Compatibility - Greg Rodgers, Certis Crop Protection

2:00 Honey Bee and Wild Bee Health Update and Management Considerations -Maria van Dyke, Department of Entomology, Cornell University

2:35 Afternoon Break

3:05 Growing Fall Cucumbers:  Efficacy and Economics of Downy Mildew Resistant Varieties           - Susan Scheufele, University of Massachusetts

3:40 Sensor Technologies and Drones in Crop Production - Jim Meyers, CCE ENYCHP

4:15 Trade Show

Rooms are available for those who wish to stay overnight at the Desmond.  Reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly at 800-448-3500.  Please ask for our reduced conference rate. 



Agenda 2018 Fruit and Vegetable Conference (PDF; 1891KB)



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

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.