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:

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

Add Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture Program Events to View

Events - month view

view earlier monthsearlier months

March 2019

Pre-Exam Training & Test to Become A Certified Pesticide Applicator

March 13 - March 15, 2019
12pm - 4:30pm
Newark, NY

Cornell Cooperative Extension Wayne County & DEC are proud to offer a Pre-Exam Training and Test to Become A Certified Pesticide Applicator

Agriculture Specialists Mike Stanyard and Tess Grasswitz will review core concepts and commodity specific items in preparation for the exam.
Manual orders due by February 11.
Pre-register by March 4.

All participants must have experience working on their own farm, or throught employment on another farm. Participants must register directly with DEC to take the Exam and have any questions on exam eligibility answered by DEC representatives.

click on view details for registration & order info.

Lake Ontario Fruit Advisory Meeting

March 19, 2019
9:30am - 3:30pm
Spencerport, NY

Please join us for our annual winter advisory meeting where you can spend time with the Lake Ontario Fruit Program team reviewing the team's educational programs and most importantly providing us feedback. Advisory meetings are important for the team to ensure that our programs and research are aligned with the industry's needs.

Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course

March 21, 2019
8:00 AM registration/refreshments, 8:30 AM starts - 5:30 PM adjourns
Newark, NY

Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course
Who Should Attend

Fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), and co-management of natural resources and food safety. The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in § 112.22(c) that requires ‘At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.'

Registration/refreshments at 8am
Program starts promptly at 8:30am
Adjourns at 5:30pm

Labor Road Show II

March 21, 2019
8:30am - 4:00pm
Warsaw, NY

If you have employees, then you need to be at the New York Labor Road Show II. Experts from farms, private industry and the university will focus on critical topics that affect all farm employers including: employee housing, onboarding, sexual harassment prevention, employee engagement, safety, wage and hour laws, and worker care.

Finger Lakes Craft Beverage Conference, Trade Show, and Field Trip

March 26 - March 27, 2019
See program for details

Finger Lakes Craft Beverage Conference, Trade Show, and Field Trip
Seneca County Cornell Cooperative Extension, offers breweries and cideries timely educational topics with a focus on marketing, breakout tracks for topics specific to breweries and cideries, and plenty of opportunity to network with others in their industry from across New York and the Northeast.

In-depth School on Precision Crop Load Management and Plant Growth Regulator Use in Apples

March 26 - March 27, 2019
Tue - 8:30am - 6:30pm, Wed - 8:30am - 5pm
Syracuse, NY

This in-depth school for tree fruit growers, extension educators, and crop consultants is a two-day school focusing on crop load management and the use of plant growth regulators.  In addition to Cornell speakers, the meeting will feature invited scientists from Washington State University, Pennsylvania State University, and Michigan State University. Industry representatives from MOOG, Valent BioSciences, and AgroFresh will participate on March 26 and 27.

Tree Fruit Nutrition Training with John Kempf

March 5, 2019 : Webinar: Integrated Nutritional Management for Pome Fruit Production

March 30, 2019 : Orchard Walk with John Kempf

Webinar: Integrated Nutritional Management for Pome Fruit Production
Based on the positive feedback we received from several growers who attended John Kempf's talks at the recent 2019 CCE LOF Winter Fruit Schools, we plan to offer two additional educational opportunities to continue learning about tree fruit nutrition and much more in March 5 and 30. There will be a video conference group discussion (webinar type titled "Integrated Nutritional Management for Pome Fruit Production with John Kempf") to answer some of the questions John didn't have time for. The webinar will be conducted on Tuesday March 5 at 2pm Eastern Time.

April 2019

Respirator Fit Testing Clinics in WNY/Finger Lakes 2019

April 2 - May 16, 2019
Appointment by schedule only; SCHEDULING BEGINS 4-5 wks before the clinic date

During the clinics NYCAMH will provide medical evaluations; respirator fit tests; and WPS compliant trainings on how to properly inspect, put on, take off, fit, seal check, use, clean, maintain, and store respirators. Clinic appointments are one hour long, and groups of 4 workers can be seen at a time.

2019 Worker Protection Standard Training & DEC Special Permit Training (Wayne County)

April 9, 2019
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM English Session / 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Spanish Session
Newark, NY

2019 Worker Protection Standard Training & DEC Special Permit Training (Wayne County)
Just like last year, Special Permits (SP) will only be issued for 11 specific pesticide labels and SP trainees will have to pass a test. This will relieve the certified pesticide applicator from "on-site within voice contact" supervision of non-certified pesticide applicators when they are handling federally-restricted-use pesticides for which they hold a Special Permit. The labels that will be covered include Lorsban Advanced, Endigo ZC, Warrior II with Zeon Technology, Agri-Mek SC, Beseige, Gramoxone SL 2.0, Leverage 360, Danitol 2.4EC, Mustang Maxx, Asana XL, and Lannate LV.

Workers requiring general pesticide training/Agricultural Worker Protection Standard Handler training who do not need special permits are welcome to take the class; they will not be tested and will receive a course participation certificate.

2019 Worker Protection Standard Training & DEC Special Permit Training (Orleans County)

April 10, 2019
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM English & Spanish sessions
Albion, NY

2019 Worker Protection Standard Training & DEC Special Permit Training (Orleans County)
Just like last year, Special Permits (SP) will only be issued for 11 specific pesticide labels and SP trainees will have to pass a test. This will relieve the certified pesticide applicator from "on-site within voice contact" supervision of non-certified pesticide applicators when they are handling federally-restricted-use pesticides for which they hold a Special Permit. The labels that will be covered include Lorsban Advanced, Endigo ZC, Warrior II with Zeon Technology, Agri-Mek SC, Beseige, Gramoxone SL 2.0, Leverage 360, Danitol 2.4EC, Mustang Maxx, Asana XL, and Lannate LV.

Workers requiring general pesticide training/Agricultural Worker Protection Standard Handler training who do not need special permits are welcome to take the class; they will not be tested and will receive a course participation certificate.

Cornell Organic Symposium

April 24, 2019
1pm - 5pm
Ithaca, NY

Cornell Organic Symposium
This year the Symposium will have a weed management theme and feature weed ecologist Chuck Mohler as keynote speaker. Similar to last year, the Symposium will include a poster session (with snacks!).

CleanSweepNY Spring 2019 - NYSDEC Region 9

April 30 - May 2, 2019
Call to Schedule
Multiple Locations, NY

CleanSweepNY Spring 2019 - NYSDEC Region 9
Spring 2019 CleanSweepNY collection event that will target the following counties within NYSDEC's Region 9: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara and Wyoming.

The deadline for registration is Friday, April 12th so please request and send in the completed registration form quickly.

May 2019

No Events Scheduled at this Time

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
view calendar of events

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.