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

Password:

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  • Issues of Fruit Newletters
  • Helpful Diagnostic Tool:
      What's wrong with my crop?
Sorry, Day 1 - Class has passed.

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!

EligibilityOpen 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

Upcoming Events

2026 Dyson Agricultural Food

January 12, 2026
Ithaca, NY

View 2026 Dyson Agricultural Food Details

The Past, the Present, and the Future of PACMAN Webinar

January 12, 2026

Join nationally recognized scientists and extension specialists for a nationwide PACMAN webinar presenting five years of research findings and outlining emerging directions and collaborative opportunities for the next phase of the project.

View The Past, the Present, and the Future of PACMAN Webinar Details

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

View 2026 Cornell Winter Fruit Webinars Details

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

2025 Events:

for more details click on event title

16 Dec - H-2A Playbooks in the New AEWR Era: Wage Strategies and Labor Planning in 2026 Webinar - 1pm, Register Now!

17 Dec - Part 1: How to Obtain a Pesticide Applicator License - 1-2pm, Online, Free, Register Now!

1-22 Dec - Labor Roadshow IX - registration now open, 2 webinars & 4 in-person meetings 

2026:

12 Jan - The Past, the Present, and the Future of PACMAN - 11am - 3pm EST, Webinar, Free, Register Now! 

12 Jan - Dyson Agricultural Food & Business Outlook Conference - Cornell University

13 & 14 Jan - Part 2: Pesticide Applicator Exam Prep - 8:30am-12:30pm, Online, $40, Register Now!

22 Jan - 2026 Cornell Winter Fruit Webinars: Blueberry Pruning and Soil Health to Minimize Pests and Maximize Yield - 11am - 12:30pm, Online, Register Now! 

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

29 Jan - 2026 Cornell Winter Fruit Webinars: Cost of Production for Fruit Crops - 11am - 12:30pm, Online, Register Now!

4 Feb - LOF Winter Fruit Schools - All day, Niagara Co., more details soon.

5 Feb - LOF Winter Fruit Schools - All day, Wayne Co., more details soon.

12 Feb - 2026 Cornell Winter Fruit Webinars: Fire Blight Management Updates - 11am - 1pm, Online, Register Now!

19 Feb - 2026 Cornell Winter Fruit Webinars: Pink and Petal Fall Insecticides - Can We Strike the Right Balance? - 11am - 12:30pm, Online, Register Now!

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

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!




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!

Click for Details


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

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

2025 Cornell Winter Webinar playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ccj8IT-8eI&list=PLoNb8lODb49u16HwAqx7Y_TS5S3vdkrON

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: 
1/4 - Trends In Water Availability
2/4 - The Role of Water In Tree Fruit Physiology & Quality
3/4 - Smart Watering: Practices for Irrigation Management
4/4 - Water Wisdom Unplugged


2024 8-12 mm Thinning Meeting

2024 Capital Region & Western NY Petal Fall Thinning Meeting

2024 Statewide Pink Meeting

2024 Cornell Statewide Frost Protection Webinar

2024 Winter Fruit Webinars playlist on the NYS IPM Program YouTube Channel

2nd Annual Lake Ontario Fruit Program's Winter Fruit Conference - 2024 pdfs

PACMAN Details and Resources, Meeting Recording Links below:
Developers Conference for Precision Crop Load Management of Apples Playlist - 2024
PACMAN Briefing - 2023








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.
NYS Tree Decline Survey


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
https://lof.cce.cornell.edu/submission.php?id=838&crumb=crops|crops|apples|crop*38



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.

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