2015 Events - year view
January 2015
2015 Empire State Producers EXPO
January 20 - January 22, 2015
Syracuse, NY
Mark your calendars, detailed program and registration are now available.
This show combines the major fruit, flower, vegetable, and direct marketing associations of New York State in order to provide a comprehensive trade show and educational conference for the fruit and vegetable growers of this state, as well as the surrounding states and Eastern Canada.February 2015
2015 Lake Ontario Winter Fruit School
February 2, 2015
8:00 am 4:00 pm
Lockport, NY

The LOF Winter School is an opportunity to provide updates on recent research results, new pest issues, disease control, new technologies, and fruit supply topics to help growers continue to compete and produce high quality fruit. There are several guest speakers from Cornell faculty, and the team. This is a duplicate school held in Wayne County on Feb. 3, 2015. There is also a concurrent session for Spanish speaking employees at the same locations. Lunch is included in the cost of registration. Please click here for complete schedule. To register by mail, click here. To register online, click here. To sponsor winter fruit schools online, click "Sponsorship."
2015 Lake Ontario Winter Fruit School
February 3, 2015
8:00 am 4:00 pm
Newark, NY

The LOF Winter School is an opportunity to provide updates on recent research results, new pest issues, disease control, new technologies, and fruit supply topics to help growers continue to compete and produce high quality fruit. There are several guest speakers from Cornell faculty, and the team. This is a duplicate school held in Niagara County on Feb. 2, 2015. There is also a concurrent session for Spanish speaking employees at the same locations. Lunch is included in the cost of registration. Please click here for complete schedule. To register by mail, click here. To register online, click here. To sponsor winter fruit schools online, click "Sponsorship."
Updated Farm Food Safety (GAPs) Training for Produce Growers
February 9 - February 10, 2015
8:30 AM Registration, program Runs 9 AM - 4 PM Both Days
Arcade, NY
Are you a farmer interested in produce safety? Are your markets asking for food safety plans or third party verification? Do you want to understand produce safety issues and Good Agricultural Practices as well as the FSMA proposed Produce Rule and third party audits? If so, join us for this multi-day workshop on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and leave with a farm food safety plan for YOUR farm!
Farm Food Safety Training with GAPs
February 10 - February 11, 2015
8:30 AM Registration, program Runs 9 AM - 3:30 PM Both Days
Holtsville, NY
Farm Food Safety Training with GAPs
• Tuesday, February 10, 8:30 AM - Wednesday, February 11@ 3:30 PM
Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Cornell Vegetable Program, the Lake Ontario Fruit Team, the Produce Safety Alliance, and the Cornell National GAPs program, with assistance from the New York Department of Agriculture & Markets, will be hosting a training for farm food safety or Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), including Harmonized GAPs.
In recent years, several food borne illness outbreaks in produce have made national news. Both the produce industry and the federal government have stepped up demands for fruit and vegetable farms to meet food safety practice standards. These standards are known as GAPs (Good Agricultural Practices).
A new program, Harmonized GAPs, has been developed to combine several food safety certifications into one program. New York's retail produce buyers are asking growers to adopt Harmonized GAPs certification in many cases. In response, Cornell National GAPs Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension have developed a multi-day workshop.
Tuesday, February 10
• What is GAPs?
• How does GAPs work?
• What does it mean for my farming operation?
Wednesday, February 11
• Write a farm food safety plan for your farm*
*A laptop computer is required for the second day. If you are not computer savvy, please bring a person with you that has computer knowledge and skills. If you need to borrow a computer please indicate so on the registration form.
Optional supplemental session
• Mock audit (at a participant's farm during the growing season)
• Tuesday, February 10, 8:30 AM - Wednesday, February 11@ 3:30 PM
Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Cornell Vegetable Program, the Lake Ontario Fruit Team, the Produce Safety Alliance, and the Cornell National GAPs program, with assistance from the New York Department of Agriculture & Markets, will be hosting a training for farm food safety or Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), including Harmonized GAPs.
In recent years, several food borne illness outbreaks in produce have made national news. Both the produce industry and the federal government have stepped up demands for fruit and vegetable farms to meet food safety practice standards. These standards are known as GAPs (Good Agricultural Practices).
A new program, Harmonized GAPs, has been developed to combine several food safety certifications into one program. New York's retail produce buyers are asking growers to adopt Harmonized GAPs certification in many cases. In response, Cornell National GAPs Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension have developed a multi-day workshop.
Tuesday, February 10
• What is GAPs?
• How does GAPs work?
• What does it mean for my farming operation?
Wednesday, February 11
• Write a farm food safety plan for your farm*
*A laptop computer is required for the second day. If you are not computer savvy, please bring a person with you that has computer knowledge and skills. If you need to borrow a computer please indicate so on the registration form.
Optional supplemental session
• Mock audit (at a participant's farm during the growing season)
CCE LOF Winter Pruning and Orchard Mechanization Tour in Orleans County
February 12, 2015
8:15-8:30 AM: Registration. Just drive in at registration and follow the Cornell Fruit Event signs!
Medina, NY
Learn on-site the concept of precision pruning and get new orchard mechanization ideas for your farm this winter. This second “Winter Pruning and Orchard Mechanization Tour” is an educational activity sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell University.
Thanks to our three Sponsors (LaGasse Works, N.M. Bartlett Company, and Infaco) there is no charge to attend and lunch will be provided at the end of the tour! Just drive in at registration and follow the Cornell Fruit Event signs!
Thanks to our three Sponsors (LaGasse Works, N.M. Bartlett Company, and Infaco) there is no charge to attend and lunch will be provided at the end of the tour! Just drive in at registration and follow the Cornell Fruit Event signs!
Please pre-register by Monday February 9 so we have enough lunches. Pre-registration is mandatory for this event. Please call, or email, Kim Hazel at to register: 585-798-4265 x 26, or krh5@cornell.edu . Please also let us know how many Spanish-speaking employees you are planning to bring for this event.
March 2015
Pesticide Certification Training & Exam
March 17 - March 20, 2015
Newark, NY
Wayne County Pre-Exam Training to Become a Certified Pesticide Applicator Offered by LOF and NWNY teams, Wayne CCE, and DEC.
Training Classes:
When: Tues., March 17 & Thur., March 19, 2015
12:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Registration begins at 12:00 pm
Where: 1581 Rt 88N, Newark, NY 14513
The Certification Exam is tentatively scheduled for Friday, March 20, 2015 @12:30- 4:00pm. Register directly with DEC to take the exam.
Training Classes:
When: Tues., March 17 & Thur., March 19, 2015
12:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Registration begins at 12:00 pm
Where: 1581 Rt 88N, Newark, NY 14513
The Certification Exam is tentatively scheduled for Friday, March 20, 2015 @12:30- 4:00pm. Register directly with DEC to take the exam.
April 2015
DEC Special Permit Training in Wayne Co.
April 8, 2015
8:30 AM - 12 PM English Session & 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM Spanish Session
Newark, NY

DEC Special Permit allows non-certified workers to apply and handle federally restricted use pesticides.
A DEC Special Permit is valid for one year and needs to be renewed every year unless the pesticide applicator becomes certified.
A DEC Special Permit is valid for one year and needs to be renewed every year unless the pesticide applicator becomes certified. Please bring green "WPS Handler" cards. Please pre-register your non-certified applicators for this training by April 3 using the registration form (click here).
A DEC Special Permit is valid for one year and needs to be renewed every year unless the pesticide applicator becomes certified.
A DEC Special Permit is valid for one year and needs to be renewed every year unless the pesticide applicator becomes certified. Please bring green "WPS Handler" cards. Please pre-register your non-certified applicators for this training by April 3 using the registration form (click here).
DEC Special Permit Training in Orleans Co.
April 9, 2015
8:30 AM - 12 PM English Session & 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM Spanish Session
Albion, NY

DEC Special Permit allows non-certified workers to apply and handle federally restricted use pesticides.
A DEC Special Permit is valid for one year and needs to be renewed every year unless the pesticide applicator becomes certified.
A DEC Special Permit is valid for one year and needs to be renewed every year unless the pesticide applicator becomes certified.
A DEC Special Permit is valid for one year and needs to be renewed every year unless the pesticide applicator becomes certified. Please bring green "WPS Handler" cards.
Please pre-register your non-certified applicators for this training by April 3 using the registration form (click here).
2015 NY State Wide Precision Chemical Thinning Training
April 29, 2015
2pm-4pm
Geneva, NY

This year we want to educate and help more growers to be as stress-free as possible during the chemical thinning season. This training - the last one conducted by Dr. Robinson before his sabbatical leave- will be conducted at the Agricultural Research Station in Geneva on Wednesday April 29 from 2pm until 4pm (Jordan Hall staff room).
The training will also be broadcasted via WebEx to the CCE Orleans office and to remote users this year.
May 2015
No Events Scheduled at this Time
June 2015
LOF Summer Fruit Tour -Wednesday, June 17 Featuring the Wayne County Fruit Industry
June 17, 2015
8:00 AM registration, program runs from 8:30 AM - 4 PM
Online Registration is now CLOSED - To pre-register, call Kim Hazel at 585-798-4265, ex 26.
The Cornell Cooperative Extension - Lake Ontario Summer Fruit Tour in Western NY will be held significantly earlier than usual this year due to Dr. Terence Robinson's upcoming sabbatical. It will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2015. We will feature tree fruit production technology and grower innovations in Wayne County. The CCE-LOF team is making plans now with Cornell University faculty, and the growers in the region for this show-and-tell day of networking with the fruit industry. At the regional tours we typically reach 250 growers from across the state.
Now accepting sponsorships for this event. Click on "Sponsorship" on the bottom of this page, then click on "View Upcoming Events for Potential Sponsorship", and then on “View Sponsorship Details” on the event. You'll have the option to pay online or via check with a mail-in registration form.
The Cornell Cooperative Extension - Lake Ontario Summer Fruit Tour in Western NY will be held significantly earlier than usual this year due to Dr. Terence Robinson's upcoming sabbatical. It will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2015. We will feature tree fruit production technology and grower innovations in Wayne County. The CCE-LOF team is making plans now with Cornell University faculty, and the growers in the region for this show-and-tell day of networking with the fruit industry. At the regional tours we typically reach 250 growers from across the state.
Now accepting sponsorships for this event. Click on "Sponsorship" on the bottom of this page, then click on "View Upcoming Events for Potential Sponsorship", and then on “View Sponsorship Details” on the event. You'll have the option to pay online or via check with a mail-in registration form.
July 2015
Hard Cider Producer and Apple Grower Networking Meeting
July 8, 2015
2:00PM - 5:00PM
Interlaken, NY
Join us for the first state-wide CCE Hard Cider Producer and Apple Grower Networking Meeting.
Attention Apple Growers - Your Participation is Needed in a Climate Change Online Survey
July 23 - August 31, 2015
The Department of Geography and Planning at Buffalo State is conducting a study concerning changing weather patterns and their impact on apple growers in Western and Central New York. With the help of Craig Kahlke from the CCE, key areas of interest have been identified and with your first hand observations, changes in these key areas will be able to be identified and assessed for their impact on the local apple industry. We are asking any apple grower in the region, no matter the size of your orchard, to help us collect this data by taking a short survey at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/orchard_survey
Your participation in this survey is voluntary and you can opt out at any time. If you have any questions regarding the research contact Mike Borrelli at borrelm01@mail.buffalostate.edu. If you have any questions regarding your rights as a participant please contact Gina Game at gameg@buffalostate.edu. Thank you for your participation, your time, effort, and experience are greatly appreciated.
Your participation in this survey is voluntary and you can opt out at any time. If you have any questions regarding the research contact Mike Borrelli at borrelm01@mail.buffalostate.edu. If you have any questions regarding your rights as a participant please contact Gina Game at gameg@buffalostate.edu. Thank you for your participation, your time, effort, and experience are greatly appreciated.
August 2015
First Fruit Tour for Spanish-speaking Employees
August 1, 2015
1pm-5pm
Albion, NY

The CCE LOF team is organizing the first fruit summer tour for Spanish-speaking employees to be held in Orleans County from 1pm until 5pm on Saturday August 1, 2015. At each of the 5 tour stops participants will be hosted by a Spanish-speaking employee who is the owner and/or has acquired significant field experience by managing an orchard and/or a nursery operation. The entire cycle of apple production will be discussed during the tour.
The tour is FREE for your employees but a pre-registration is required by Thursday July 30. For registration, contact Kim R. Hazel krh5@cornell.edu, (585) 798-4265. For questions, contact Mario Miranda Sazo mrm67@cornell.edu, (315) 719-1318.
The tour is FREE for your employees but a pre-registration is required by Thursday July 30. For registration, contact Kim R. Hazel krh5@cornell.edu, (585) 798-4265. For questions, contact Mario Miranda Sazo mrm67@cornell.edu, (315) 719-1318.
Extending Local Strawberry Production Using Low Tunnel Technology
August 25 - September 16, 2015
2:00 - 4:00 PM
Hilton, NY
NYFVI awarded a grant to set up grower demonstrations to extend the strawberry production season using low tunnels and day neutral strawberries. Growers who are growing demonstration plots are inviting you to see the progress in the plantings at 3 sites.
There are 3 meetings across the state. Come and see if this might work for your farm.
There are 3 meetings across the state. Come and see if this might work for your farm.
Western NY Regional Storage Workshop - Event is Free But Pre-Registration is Required
August 28, 2015
Friday, August 28th, 10 AM - 2 PM
Newark, NY
2015 Western NY Regional Storage Workshop
Friday, August 28, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, Wayne County CCE in Newark
In lieu of the traditional Cornell Storage Workshop in Ithaca, Chris Watkins will be doing a session in Newark on August 28, from 10:00 AM to 2 PM. Areas covered will be:
• Gala stem end browning
• storage of Honeycrisp
• DCA
Lunch and refreshments will be served.
The event is free, but please pre-register online to ensure an accurate count on lunches and handouts.
• Overview of storage issues for varieties of importance in Western NY
• Questions & Answer
Friday, August 28, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, Wayne County CCE in Newark
In lieu of the traditional Cornell Storage Workshop in Ithaca, Chris Watkins will be doing a session in Newark on August 28, from 10:00 AM to 2 PM. Areas covered will be:
• Gala stem end browning
• storage of Honeycrisp
• DCA
Lunch and refreshments will be served.
The event is free, but please pre-register online to ensure an accurate count on lunches and handouts.
• Overview of storage issues for varieties of importance in Western NY
• Questions & Answer
September 2015
Packing Shed Tour - Wayne County - Van DeWalle Packing Shed, Alton NY
September 9, 2015
1PM - 2PM
Alton, NY
This tour is open for growers and their harvest employees to see a packing shed in operation. This tours will give attendees a better understanding of the packing/marketing process and the impact that poor quality apples or culls have on packing sheds and ultimately the grower's bottom line. This is a great opportunity for your harvest employees to "see" where fresh apples go to be packed and to give them a better sense for why they spot pick and why poor quality is costly. This tour is open to Spanish speaking employees as Mario Miranda-Sazo will be present to provide Spanish interpretation.
Packing Shed Tour - Orleans County - HH Dobbins Packing Shed, Lydonville NY
September 10, 2015
1PM - 2PM
Lyndonville, NY
This tour is open for growers and their harvest employees to see a packing shed in operation. This tours will give attendees a better understanding of the packing/marketing process and the impact that poor quality apples or culls have on packing sheds and ultimately the grower's bottom line. This is a great opportunity for your harvest employees to "see" where fresh apples go to be packed and to give them a better sense for why they spot pick and why poor quality is costly. This tour is open to Spanish speaking employees as Mario Miranda-Sazo will be present to provide Spanish interpretation.
October 2015
No Events Scheduled at this Time
November 2015
No Events Scheduled at this Time
December 2015
Apple Growers - Please Help a Grad Student by Filling out a Short Online Survey on Climate Change
December 8 - March 31, 2015
Ongoing - Quick survey
My name is Michael Borrelli and I am a Masters of Arts candidate at Buffalo State College in the Great Lakes Ecosystem Science Program and I am conducting research on how climate change is impacting the apple industry in Western and Central New York. Having grown up on a family farm near Rochester, I have always had an interest in how changes in the environment and climate impact the natural and agricultural world.
In order to identify these impacts I need to reach out to apple growers, like yourselves, who are experiencing these impacts and challenges first hand. Your observations, stories and experiences are essential to this project. Working with Craig Kahlke from the Cornell Cooperative Extension, I have identified key questions for analysis that I would like your help in answering in the form of a 10 to 15 minute web survey located at:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/orchard_survey.
If you would prefer to do the survey on paper, face to face, or over the phone; my contact information is at the end of this email and we can set up a time. The data collected from the survey will be kept confidential and be used to complete my graduate thesis. Any results will be shared with the Cornell Cooperative Extension.
The goal of this research will be to identify what climate impacts apple growers have experienced in their orchards over time. Another secondary goal will be to identify what measures orchardists are taking to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of a changing climate going forward and how apple growers view its impact on their businesses and lively hood.
I would like to thank you for your interest in my research and feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at borrelm01@mail.buffalostate.edu or my cell phone at 585-503-7546. I look forward to working with you!
Sincerely,
Michael Borrelli
In order to identify these impacts I need to reach out to apple growers, like yourselves, who are experiencing these impacts and challenges first hand. Your observations, stories and experiences are essential to this project. Working with Craig Kahlke from the Cornell Cooperative Extension, I have identified key questions for analysis that I would like your help in answering in the form of a 10 to 15 minute web survey located at:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/orchard_survey.
If you would prefer to do the survey on paper, face to face, or over the phone; my contact information is at the end of this email and we can set up a time. The data collected from the survey will be kept confidential and be used to complete my graduate thesis. Any results will be shared with the Cornell Cooperative Extension.
The goal of this research will be to identify what climate impacts apple growers have experienced in their orchards over time. Another secondary goal will be to identify what measures orchardists are taking to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of a changing climate going forward and how apple growers view its impact on their businesses and lively hood.
I would like to thank you for your interest in my research and feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at borrelm01@mail.buffalostate.edu or my cell phone at 585-503-7546. I look forward to working with you!
Sincerely,
Michael Borrelli
You're Invited To The WNY Food Hub Grower Meeting!
December 9, 2015
11 AM - 1 PM
Cheektowaga, NY
Eden Valley Growers (EVG), a farmer-owned cooperative and the owner/operator of the Western NY Food Hub, invites you to attend an information session on how they will provide technical assistance and support for farmers interested in selling to the Western NY Food Hub. Eden Valley Growers, along with their project partners Cornell Cooperative Extension and Field & Fork Network, will host the meeting.The meeting will be in room 112, access through the southeast entrance facing the back parking lot.
Upcoming Events
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August 12, 2026
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