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. Playlist of PACMAN presentation recordings now available on the Lake Ontario Fruit Program YouTube channel

Week 1: Blueberry Pruning and Soil Health to Minimize Pests and Maximize Yield

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.

This course trains tree fruit growers, orchard employees, industry professionals and interested students on the biology, identification and monitoring of major economically significant orchard pests, using an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. This course is FREE and provides an annual opportunity for growers to refresh their knowledge in advance of the growing season.  Register by February 18th.

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.

Learn about food safety on the farm! This event hosted by the Cornell Vegetable Program, Cornell Lake Ontario Fruit Team, CCE Wayne County, and the NYS Department of Agriculture, will cover good agricultural practices (GAPs) to help reduce the risk of microbial contamination on the farm, keeping food and consumers safe.

This course trains tree fruit growers, orchard employees, industry professionals and interested students on the biology, identification and monitoring of major economically significant orchard pests, using an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. This course is FREE and provides an annual opportunity for growers to refresh their knowledge in advance of the growing season.  Register by February 18th.

***NOTE IN PERSON LEARNING HUB LOCATION CHANGE - ALBION, NY*** Attend the WSU Tree Fruit Heat School at an in-person regional learning hub in Albion, NY, covering heat-related challenges in apple and pear production—or join virtually on your own.

Week 5: Inoculating Orchards with Mycorrhizal Fungi

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.

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.

This course trains tree fruit growers, orchard employees, industry professionals and interested students on the biology, identification and monitoring of major economically significant orchard pests, using an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. This course is FREE and provides an annual opportunity for growers to refresh their knowledge in advance of the growing season.  Register by February 18th.

Cornell University personnel from the National GAPs Program and the Produce Safety Alliance are presenting a workshop on postharvest water management, sanitation, and traceability. This workshop will include a mix of short talks and hands-on activities to provide attendees with applied experience with sanitation, postharvest water, and traceability topics. 

2.75 NYSDEC CEU's in categories 10, 1a, 22, and 23 available.

Week 6: St. Peachtrick's Day - Cherry Pruning Strategies and Plum Varieties for the Northeast

Join us for this specialized workshop to cover requirements for this specific audit.  Commercial fruit and vegetable growers are increasingly being asked to have the Harmonized GAP Plus+ audit to satisfy some large buyer's requirements.

This 2-day course will go over the core information to help applicators pass the applicators exam, which students will take on April 2nd after the course is concluded.  *Note: This is not the 30-hour course, and you will need to meet the requirements set by the DEC to qualify for the exam.*

This course trains tree fruit growers, orchard employees, industry professionals and interested students on the biology, identification and monitoring of major economically significant orchard pests, using an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. This course is FREE and provides an annual opportunity for growers to refresh their knowledge in advance of the growing season.  Register by February 18th.

This 2-day course will go over the core information to help applicators pass the applicators exam, which students will take on April 2nd after the course is concluded.  *Note: This is not the 30-hour course, and you will need to meet the requirements set by the DEC to qualify for the exam.*

Join the post bloom meeting zoom.  

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!

Apple Socials Return for a Third Year, proudly sponsored by Valent and American Fruit Grower magazine.

Join Cornell & the New York Cider Association for: 

July 28 (PM) Tours and Updates on Cornell Research and Lab Testing at both Cornell Orchards in Ithaca and Lansing. There is an optional dinner at South Hill Cidery (attendees pay)

July 29 (all Day) - Annual New York Cider Summer Tour at about 5 cideries, including lunch at Finger Lakes Cider House (included in registration) .  Also includes bus for the first 30 registrants.

There is a discounted hotel block at the Courtyard by Marriott Ithaca Airport/University for 169.00 USD - 179.00 USD per night 

 Last Day to Book : Sunday, July 12, 2026

Start Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2026

End Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Hotel(s) offering your special group rate: See Cornell and New York Cider Association's Hard Cider Tours details below for the hotel and registration links.

Book your group rate for New York Cider Association They must enter the code: NYCNYCA in the "corporate/promo" area of your Marriott Bonvoy App if guests are making reservations through that app

Please join us at this casual networking event for all apple industry folks from Western NY, proudly sponsored by Valent. 

Join Cornell researchers in Geneva for Fruit Field Day, returning after 10 years, to tour research plots, learn from experts—including Dr. Terence Robinson with 40+ years in tree fruit research—and explore the latest orchard technologies and practices. At the catered lunch, network with industry, and visit sponsor displays and equipment. Our keynote speaker is Commissioner of Agriculture Richard Ball. DEC credits available.