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

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  • Issues of Fruit Newletters
  • Helpful Diagnostic Tool:
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2025 Events - year view

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January 2025

2025 Finger Lakes Auction Winter Growers Meeting

January 2, 2025

Grants for NYS Farms - Dutchess County

January 6, 2025

From Seed to Success: Turn Your Idea into an Actionable Plan

January 7 - March 4, 2025


During the course, you will learn to:

  • Assess whether or not a business idea is a good fit for you.
  • Develop a marketing strategy to make a profit
  • Use financial tools to evaluate if your business has the potential to be profitable

This 9-session business planning course will help set your farm up for success in a new business venture.  During the course you will learn to assess the viability of a business idea, start to put a realistic path together to move your business forward, develop a marketing strategy to sell what you produce (and make a profit) and finally how to use financial tools to evaluate whether or not your business is meeting its financial milestones and achieving profitability. 

Unit 1: January 8,15 and 22 (Liz Higgins): Introduction to Business Planning and the Business Plan, Developing an Enterprise Budget for the Business Venture

Unit 2: January 29, February 5 and 12 (Bonnie Nelsen): Developing a Marketing Plan for Your Farm Business

Unit 3: February 19, 26 and March 5 (Steve Hadcock): Developing a Financial Plan for Your Farm Business

All course content is available online so you can work on it at your own pace.  There will be weekly webinars where you can meet other students and interact directly with the instructor on the content.  These webinars will be recorded. 


From Seed to Success: Turn Your Idea into an Actionable Plan

January 7 - March 4, 2025


Do you need a business plan for your farm?  Do you have an idea for a new venture, but aren't sure if it will work? This program is for you!

This course is designed for existing farm businesses or those planning to undertake a new farm business venture. Students will work with their farm's data, and the goal of the class is for participants to have a draft of a written business plan for a specific business venture.  Because this is an on-line course, to participate you must have access to reliable internet and a computer.

During the course, you will learn to:

  • Assess whether or not a business idea is a good fit for you.
  • Develop a marketing strategy to make a profit
  • Use financial tools to evaluate if your business has the potential to be profitable

This online course meets from January 7-March 4, 2025.  All course content is available online so you can work on it at your own pace.  There will be weekly webinars where you can meet other students and interact directly with the instructor on the content.  These webinars will be recorded. 

Questions?  Contact Bonnie Nelsen at bjn2@cornell.edu, or 315-980-9926

Registration link under Event Details to the right.

Scroll down for details on all 9 sessions.


Grants for NYS Farms - Clinton County

January 8, 2025

Electric Weeding in Organic Perennial Crops

January 14, 2025

2025 Ontario Produce Auction Winter Growers Meeting

January 15, 2025

NYS Beginning Farmer Grant Webinar

January 15, 2025

Farm Grant Literacy Workshop

January 16 - February 27, 2025


GRANT MONEY FOR YOUR FARM? IT'S POSSIBLE! THIS WORKSHOP WILL SHOW YOU HOW!

Are you planning to invest in projects like farm worker housing, irrigation systems, storage facilities, packing facilities, cideries, craft beverage production, cooling and refrigeration, renewable/clean energy, or greenhouses in the future?  Would you like to build them at a 50% discount?  It's possible with a farm grant!

Grants are an attractive funding alternative to commercial lending that are available to farmers from federal, state, local and private sources.  But grants aren't available for every project, nor are they "free" in the sense that you have to do nothing.  And finding appropriate grants and deciphering grant requirements can be challenging.

This free online workshop will help you identify and evaluate grant opportunities for your farm. The program consists of six online sessions that will increase awareness of farm grant opportunities and build skills needed to target suitable grants.  Participants will learn how to identify components of a project plan that may qualify for a grant, research available grant opportunities, understand selection criteria and grant requirements, and choose the best funding opportunity for their project. 

The first three sessions will build skills needed to identify suitable grant opportunities. The remaining sessions consist of three virtual panel discussions with speakers from federal, state, county, and private funders providing grants to farmers.  Panelists will offer insight into funding priorities and tips on making successful proposals. Farmers who have received federal, state, local or private grants will also be included in each session; these folks will describe their personal experience with the grant application and post-award management.

As a result of participating in the workshop, you will:

  • Identify sources of federal, state, local and private farm grants
  • Learn about the types of projects for which grant funding is available
  • Learn to navigate grant portals and register for announcements about new grant opportunities
  • Understand request for proposals
  • Identify the requirements of a grant opportunity
  • Determine if a grant opportunity is a good match for your farm

Workshop Schedule, start time 12pm

  1. January 16, 2025
  2. January 23, 2025
  3. January 30, 2025
  4. February 13, 2025 - N/A
  5. February 20, 2025
  6. February 27, 2025

Cornell Fruit Winter Webinars

January 17 - March 14, 2025


Join us for six upcoming bi-weekly lunch hour webinars happening on Fridays this January through March. Webinars hosted by CCE LOFP, CCE ENYCHP, NYSIPM, and CCE Harvest NY. 

Miss a webinar or just want a quick review?  You can find of the webinar recording on the NYSIPM YouTube Channel 2025 Cornell Winter Webinar playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ccj8IT-8eI&list=PLoNb8lODb49u16HwAqx7Y_TS5S3vdkrON


Cornell Winter Fruit Webinar Series 2025

January 17 - March 14, 2025


These webinars will provide updates on fruit-related topics and research happening at Cornell University. 

Webinars hosted by NYSIPM, CCE Harvest NY, CCE LOFP, and CCE ENYCHP.

If you missed a webinar or just want to review one you've all ready seen the recordings can be found at the 2024 Winter Fruit Webinars playlist on the NYS IPM Program YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playli...

NYSDEC Pesticide Recertification credits will be offered for indicated sessions. If you would like DEC Credits, please send a copy of your photo ID to Anna Wallis aew232@cornell.edu To receive credits you will need to attend the entire webinar on your own computer/device, and complete the required Google Form survey at the beginning and again at the end of the webinar.


Orleans Regional Winter Vegetable Meeting

January 23, 2025

Chautauqua Regional Winter Vegetable Meeting

January 24, 2025

NYS Grown and Certified Grant Program Webinar

January 29, 2025

Grapevine Pruning Workshop

January 31, 2025



February 2025

Eastern New York Spotted Lanternfly Workshop

February 4 - February 5, 2025


Please join us for the Eastern New York Spotted Lanternfly Workshop on February 4th and 5th at the scenic Benmarl Vineyard in Marlboro, NY. This two-day event will focus on addressing the challenges posed by the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) through policy, research, outreach, and management strategies. This program is brought to you by the Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture Program and New York State Integrated Pest Management. 

February 4th 9:00am - 4:00pm 

Municipal Management 

Communication 

Outreach/Extension 

Research Updates


February 5th

9:00am - 4:00pm 

Vineyard Management 

Agricultural Management 

Consumer Education


Coffee & lunch will be provided

Attendance fee: $45 per day 

Location: 156 Highland Ave, Marlboro, NY 12542 

Social hour: at Locust Grove on February 4th after 4:00pm


While there is no designated hotel for this event, here are some nearby accommodations within a half-hour drive for those coming overnight.
SureStay Highland by Best Western
Hampton Inn by Hilton in New Paltz
Hampton Inn & Suites Newburgh Stewart Airport


Leafy Greens Intensive

February 4, 2025

Western NY Fruit Conference

February 4 - February 5, 2025


For the 2nd year in a row, we'll be having the Western NY Fruit Conference at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Rochester!  It will be another 1 1/2 day conference. Stay tuned for program and registration info as we get closer.


Becker Forum

February 5, 2025

2025 New York State Potato School

February 11 - February 12, 2025

Food Safety Lunch and Learn Webinar Series

February 11 - February 25, 2025


This 3-part webinar series, organized and hosted by CADE, will provide a general background of farm food safety. Presented by Robert Hadad, CCE Cornell Vegetable Program.


Genesee Valley Winter Meeting

February 11, 2025

Training the Trainer: Pruning Wine Grapes

February 11, 2025

Northeast Extension Fruit Consortium 2025 Winter Webinar Series

February 12 - March 12, 2025


Sessions will be held (see specific dates below) from noon to 1:30. Pesticide credit(s) will be available for indicated sessions. Pre-registration is required. Please be advised, those seeking pesticide recertification credits must log in to the session individually so that we can show proof off attendance to the certifying agencies. When logging in, be sure your screen name matches the name on your license. 


Remote Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Training

February 12, 2025

Virtual Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Training

February 12, 2025

Remote Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course

February 17 - February 18, 2025

2025 Eastern New York Fruit and Vegetable Conference

February 19 - February 20, 2025

Advisory Committee Meeting - Program & Project Updates

February 26, 2025

Allium Pests!

February 26, 2025

Introduction to Tree Fruit Production

February 27 - April 3, 2025



March 2025

Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Training

March 4 - March 5, 2025

Vegetable Workshop: Garlic and Brassicas

March 4, 2025

Elba Muck Onion Growers Pre-Season Meeting: SLB in Transplants, Onion Thrips

March 10, 2025

Pesticide Applicator Certification Exam Prep Course

March 10 - March 13, 2025

2025 NYS Processing Vegetable Industry Meeting

March 11, 2025

2025 Wayne County - DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Pre-Exam Training

March 13 - March 17, 2025


Agriculture Specialists Mike Stanyard from the NWNY Team and Janet van Zoeren of the Lake Ontario Fruit Team, and Josh Bowman Ag Economic Development Educator with CCE Wayne will review core concepts and commodity-specific items in preparation for the Pesticide Applicator exam.  *This is not a 30-hour course, NO DEC RECERTIFICATION CREDITS.*  

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.

No DEC recertification credits.

All participants will need to have the most recent Core Manual (3rd Edition) and Category Manuals. Manuals are available for purchase at https://www.cornellstore.com/b... 

Register by March 7th.

To register for this class complete the pdf registration form below, include payment and return via instructions included on form. 

Cost of 2 day workshop: $50, additional costs to consider are any manuals you need to purchase through the link above and the Exam see details below 

Exam to be held on March 20th at 1:30pm at Wayne County Cornell Cooperative Extension, $100 check payable to NYDEC to Exam, and you must register with DEC for the exam. Additional Exam details at https://lof.cce.cornell.edu/ev....

Questions: Contact Kim Cummings 315-331-8415 ext 117 or by email wayne@cornell.edu.


Oswego Muck Onion Growers Pre-Season Meeting: Bacterial Bulb Rot

March 13, 2025

Growing Rhubarb Webinar

March 14, 2025

2025 Cornell In-Depth Fruit School - Honeycrisp & Other High Value Apple Cultivars

March 19 - March 20, 2025

2025 NYS Dry Bean Meeting and Cutting Event

March 19, 2025

Food Safety Updates: Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water (Subpart E) Update Webinar with Q & A

March 21, 2025

Food Safety Updates: Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water (Subpart E) Update Webinar with Q&A

March 21, 2025

Blueberry Pruning Workshop

March 26, 2025

Champlain Valley Apple Pest Management Refresher

March 27, 2025



April 2025

Blind Industry White Wine Tasting Workshop

April 1, 2025

Farm Food Safety Training with GAPs

April 1, 2025



May 2025

Respirator Fit Testing in Orleans County

May 7 - May 8, 2025


The Environmental Protection Agency's Worker Protection Standard (WPS) requires that farms must provide pesticide handlers with medical evaluation, fit testing, and respirator training in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Respiratory Protection Standard.




June 2025

No Events Scheduled at this Time



July 2025

No Events Scheduled at this Time



August 2025

No Events Scheduled at this Time



September 2025

No Events Scheduled at this Time



October 2025

No Events Scheduled at this Time



November 2025

No Events Scheduled at this Time



December 2025

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

Upcoming Events

2025 Wayne County - DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Pre-Exam Training

March 13, 2025 : DEC Certified Applicator Pre-Exam Training Day 1
Newark, NY

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.


March 17, 2025 : DEC Certified Applicator Pre-Exam Training Day 2
Newark, NY

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.

View 2025 Wayne County - DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Pre-Exam Training Details

Introduction to Tree Fruit Production

February 27, 2025
March 6, 2025
March 13, 2025
March 17, 2025
March 20, 2025
March 24, 2025
March 27, 2025
April 3, 2025

Thursdays: February 27 - April 3, with two additional Monday webinars on March 17 and March 24

Tree fruit are an important component of the agricultural and homeowner landscape. This course, which offers eight live webinars for its 2025 offering, trains beginning tree fruit growers in fundamental concepts in orchard planning and management.

View Introduction to Tree Fruit Production Details

Cornell Fruit Winter Webinars

January 17, 2025 : Week 1: Digging into Pruning and Soil Health

Speakers: Mario Miranda Sazo (CCE LOFP) and Dr. Debbie Aller (Cornell CALS) 


January 31, 2025 : Week 2: Cider Apples - Mechanized Harvesting and Sweet Cider Food Safety

Speakers: Dr. Greg Peck (Cornell CALS) and Dr. Randy Worobo (Cornell CALS)


Event Offers DEC Credits

February 14, 2025 : Week 3: The Value of "Eco-Friendly" Marketing - OMRI Certification, Red Tomato, EcoApple, NYS Grown

Speakers: Liz Higgins (CCE ENYCHP), Josh Morgenthau (Fish Kill Farms), Jim Bittner (Bittner-Singer Orchard, and Kevin Clark (Rose Hill Farm)


Event Offers DEC Credits

February 28, 2025 : Week 4: Biopesticides and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) for Berries

Speaker(s): McKenzie Schessl (Cornell AgriTech) and Samantha Willden (Cornell AgriTech)


Event Offers DEC Credits

March 14, 2025 : Week 5: St. Peachtrick's Day: Stone Fruit Insect and Disease Management

Speakers: Dr. George Sundin (Michigan State University) and Brett Blaauw (University of Georgia)

View Cornell Fruit Winter Webinars Details

Announcements

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

SPARC Survey

Interested in strengthening pome fruit resilience to climate? Check out what 22 scientists from six states are joining forces to accomplish. Learn more and help support this effort by taking a quick survey at https://lof.cce.cornell.edu/submission.php?id=948&crumb=crops|crops|apples|crop*38

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:

4 Mar - From Seed To Success: Unit 3 - Session 9 - Webinar

6 Mar - Introduction to Tree Fruit Production - Online Course, Register Now

13 Mar - Introduction to Tree Fruit Production - Online Course, Register Now

13 Mar - DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Pre-Exam Training - 12:45-5pm, Wayne CCE, Register Now

14 Mar - Cornell Winter Fruit Webinars: Week 3 - 11am-12:30pm, Free, Register Now!

17 Mar - Introduction to Tree Fruit Production - Online Course, Register Now

17 Mar - DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Pre-Exam Training - 1-5pm, Wayne CCE, Register Now

20 Mar - Introduction to Tree Fruit Production - Online Course, Register Now

19-20 Mar - 2025 Cornell In-Depth Fruit School - Honeycrisp & Other High Value Apple Cultivars - Syracuse, Register Now!

21 Mar - Food Safety Updates: Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water (Subpart E) Update Webinar with Q & A

24 Mar - Introduction to Tree Fruit Production - Online Course, Register Now

27 Mar - Introduction to Tree Fruit Production - Online Course, Register Now

3 Apr - Introduction to Tree Fruit Production - Online Course, Register Now

7 & 8 May - 2025 Respirator Fit Testing Clinics - CCE Orleans


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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