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

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

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January 2021

COPY - Onboarding Seasonal Farm Employees - Get Organized for 2021!

January 4, 2021 : Best Practices for Onboarding Seasonal Workers
12:00pm-1:30pm
online (zoom link will be provided upon registration)

Best Practices for Onboarding Seasonal Workers is a 1.5-hour, on-line program that reviews best practices for bringing on (aka onboarding) a group of seasonal workers.  This program will go over the onboarding planning guide for seasonal farm employees and discuss the key things you should have in place in 2021 when your seasonal employees arrive.  

When you enroll in this program you will also receive a hard copy of the planning guide by mail, have access to additional resources and information and an on-line community of other farms that are also working on their 2021 onboarding plans. 

Onboarding Seasonal Farm Employees - Get Organized for 2021!

January 4, 2021 : Best Practices for Onboarding Seasonal Workers
12:00pm-1:30pm
online (zoom link will be provided upon registration)

Best Practices for Onboarding Seasonal Workers is a 1.5-hour, on-line program that reviews best practices for bringing on (aka onboarding) a group of seasonal workers.  This program will go over the onboarding planning guide for seasonal farm employees and discuss the key things you should have in place in 2021 when your seasonal employees arrive.  

When you enroll in this program you will also receive a hard copy of the planning guide by mail, have access to additional resources and information and an on-line community of other farms that are also working on their 2021 onboarding plans. 

COPY - Onboarding Seasonal Farm Employees - Get Organized for 2021!

January 6, 2021 : Best Practices for Onboarding Seasonal Workers
6:00pm-8:00pm
online (zoom link will be provided upon registration)

Best Practices for Onboarding Seasonal Workers is a 1.5-hour, on-line program that reviews best practices for bringing on (aka onboarding) a group of seasonal workers.  This program will go over the onboarding planning guide for seasonal farm employees and discuss the key things you should have in place in 2021 when your seasonal employees arrive.  

When you enroll in this program you will also receive a hard copy of the planning guide by mail, have access to additional resources and information and an on-line community of other farms that are also working on their 2021 onboarding plans. 

Onboarding Seasonal Farm Employees - Get Organized for 2021!

January 6, 2021 : Best Practices for Onboarding Seasonal Workers
6:00pm-8:00pm
online (zoom link will be provided upon registration)

Best Practices for Onboarding Seasonal Workers is a 1.5-hour, on-line program that reviews best practices for bringing on (aka onboarding) a group of seasonal workers.  This program will go over the onboarding planning guide for seasonal farm employees and discuss the key things you should have in place in 2021 when your seasonal employees arrive.  

When you enroll in this program you will also receive a hard copy of the planning guide by mail, have access to additional resources and information and an on-line community of other farms that are also working on their 2021 onboarding plans. 

Cornell Small Farms Program New Season of Online Courses-Enroll Now!

January 11, 2021
February 22, 2021
September 1, 2021
November 1, 2021

Course Start Dates & Times Vary; Register Now!
Webinar

CSFP's new season of online courses is almost halfway through, and now's the time to register for their upcoming block three courses which begin in the new year. Upcoming courses include their new offering on social media and online marketing, farm business courses, and production courses covering beekeeping, mushrooms, sheep and more.

How to Obtain a Pesticide Applicator License - Jan 11, 2021

January 11, 2021
1:00pm - 3:30pm
Online Zoom Meeting


Thinking about becoming a certified pesticide applicator in New York? This online program will cover the basics of who needs a pesticide license, license types, examination procedures, and important information to know for the test. We will incorporate interactive practice questions and activities within the program to test participant knowledge in preparation for the exam.

Assessing and Using Credit in Your Agricultural Business - Farm Financial Management Tuesdays

January 12, 2021
12:30-1:30
Zoom webinar

CCE Ag Business Educators are offering online farm financial management education programs this winter!

On January 12, from 12:30-1:30, Join CCE CAAHP Ag Business Educator, Dayton Maxwell, for a one hour program on how to effectively apply for and use credit in your farm business.  Dayton was a former Farm Credit East loan officer and now serves as the Farm Business Management specialist for the Capital Area Agriculture and Horticulture Program.  

This program is the first of three Farm Business Management Tuesdays planned for this winter.

NOFA-NY's Virtual Winter Conference

January 16 - January 23, 2021
Online

There's still time to register for NOFA-NY's Virtual Winter Conference! One registration gives you access to more than 90 workshops presented by farmers, gardeners, homesteaders, and advocates to learn from.

Knowing Input Costs to Maximize Profits - Farm Financial Management Tuesdays

January 19, 2021
12:30-1:30
Zoom webinar

CCE Ag Business Educators are offering online farm financial management education programs this winter!

On January 19, from 12:30-1:30, Join CCE CNY Dairy and Field Crops Ag Business Educator, Nicole Tommell and Gabe Gurley of NY FarmNet, for a one hour program on managing your input costs in your farm business.   Managing your costs is a key aspect of being profitable.  

This program is the second of three Farm Business Management Tuesdays planned for this winter.

Cash Flow Management and the Annual Operating Cycle - Farm Financial Management Tuesdays

January 26, 2021
12:30-1:30
Zoom webinar

CCE Ag Business Educators are offering online farm financial management education programs this winter!

On January 26, from 12:30-1:30, Join CCE ENYCH Ag Business Educator, Elizabeth Higgins, for a one hour program on cash flow management and the annual operating cycle. Lack of cash is one of the primary reasons why small businesses fail.  Put together the knowledge you learned in the first two sessions to think about how to use various tools and strategies like loans, lines of credit, managing timing of payments, budgeting and forecasting, and timing of major purchases to better manage your farm's cash flow.

This program is the third of three Farm Business Management Tuesdays planned for this winter.

Remote Good Agricultural Practices Training

January 27 - January 28, 2021

Interested in learning more about the GAPs certification process? Do you need help writing your farm food safety plan?

Join CCE educators for a day-long workshop on Day 1 delving into what is required to pass a GAPs audit, including worker hygiene, wash/pack sanitation, water quality, record keeping, and more. On the second day, we will split into small groups on Zoom to discuss the different parts of a farm food safety plan required for GAPs, some schools and other buyers, and recommended for FSMA. Educators will be accompanied by NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets representatives on Day 2 to help address questions on audits from participants. Participants will work on their plans concurrently within their groups and will have ample opportunity to ask questions and seek advice. 

February 2021

2021 Eastern NY Fruit & Vegetable Conference Webinars

February 1, 2021
February 5, 2021
February 9, 2021
February 11, 2021
February 16 - February 17, 2021February 19, 2021
February 23 - February 26, 2021

The CCE Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Team is happy to invite vegetable and berry growers to our virtual series of production and business management webinars held this February! 

Sessions include:

  • sweet potatoes
  • three berry workshops
  • transplant production
  • a farm stand virtual tour
  • sweet corn
  • and several other exciting topics! 


CCE's NY Tree Fruit Conference sponsored by CCE Eastern NY Commercial Hort Program & CCE Lake Ontario Fruit Program

February 2 - February 4, 2021
Tue 8am - 5pm, Wed 8am - 4:55pm, Thu 8am - 4:45pm
Online

CCE's NY Tree Fruit Conference sponsored by CCE Eastern NY Commercial Hort Program & CCE Lake Ontario Fruit Program

The Cornell Cooperative Extension Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture Program and the Lake Ontario Fruit Program will be cooperatively hosting the 2021 Cornell NYS Tree Fruit Conference online from Feb 2-4. Due to COVID-19 limitations on live meetings, this program replaces CCE-LOF's Winter Fruit Schools and CCE-ENYCHP's Fruit & Vegetable Conference (tree fruit section).  

Register Now!

Marketing Your Farm Products 101

February 2, 2021
February 9, 2021
February 16, 2021
February 23, 2021
: Marketing Your Farm Products 101
6:30-8:00pm
online

Join us for a four-session mini course to help guide you in starting your business.  Tune in February evenings to hear tips on planning, finance, sales/pricing, marketing and grant/resource opportunities. 

CCE's NY Tree Fruit Conference sponsored by CCE ENYCHP and CCE Lake Ontario Fruit Program

February 2 - February 4, 2021
Tues 8am-5pm; Wed 8am-5pm; Thurs 8am-4:45pm
Online

For 2021, the CCE's NY Tree Fruit Conference sponsored by the CCE Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture Program and the CCE Lake Ontario Fruit Program will replace CCE-LOF's Winter Fruit Schools and CCE-ENYCHP's Fruit & Vegetable Conference, DEC Credits are being applied for at multiple sessions.

Session titles & times now available!

Value Added Producer Grant Program Series

February 3, 2021
February 17, 2021
March 3, 2021
: How Do I Apply for a Value Added Producer Grant?
6:00pm-7:30 pm
online

If you are considering applying for a Value Added Producer Grant. How do you fill out the application? How do you make your application as appealing as possible to the person who will review it? These three sessions will outline the process of writing and submitting a successful Value Added Producer Grant.

PPP2/ EIDL Loan Advance/ Expansion of CFAP 1

February 10, 2021
6:30-8:00pm
online

Join Liz Higgins (Eastern NY Hort Team Ag Business Specialist), Myron Thurston (CCE Madison AED & Marketing Specialist) and Nicole Tommell (Farm Business Specialist, CNYDLFC) for an update on the COVID-19 Assistance Programs for Farmers.

Cornell Climate Smart Farming - Winter 2021 Webinars

February 12, 2021
February 19, 2021
February 26, 2021

The Cornell Climate Smart Farming Program is pleased to host five winter webinars for farmers, Extension specialists, and agriculture consultants. Registration is required, but events are free and open to the public.  Please join us!

Uncommon Fruit: Considerations for Commercial Cultivation

February 16 - February 19, 2021
11am-1pm EST
Virtual Sessions

During the course of four sessions, horticultural experts and farmers will describe the possibilities and challenges associated with growing these lesser known crops.  Specifics include site selection, production systems, pest issues, post-harvest requirements, recommended cultivars, and market considerations.

The first session will focus on understanding crop attributes that make commercialization possible followed by a site selection discussion.  After that we will delve directly into the plants which will include Ribes, Elderberry, Aronia, Hardy Kiwi, Hascap, Amelanchier, Ericaceae, Shisandra, Sea Buckthorn, Paw paw, Persimmon, Figs.

Cornell Small Farms Program New Season of Online Courses-Enroll Now!

January 11, 2021
February 22, 2021
September 1, 2021
November 1, 2021

Course Start Dates & Times Vary; Register Now!
Webinar

CSFP's new season of online courses is almost halfway through, and now's the time to register for their upcoming block three courses which begin in the new year. Upcoming courses include their new offering on social media and online marketing, farm business courses, and production courses covering beekeeping, mushrooms, sheep and more.

March 2021

Value Added Producer Grant Program Series

February 3, 2021
February 17, 2021
March 3, 2021
: How Do I Apply for a Value Added Producer Grant?
6:00pm-7:30 pm
online

If you are considering applying for a Value Added Producer Grant. How do you fill out the application? How do you make your application as appealing as possible to the person who will review it? These three sessions will outline the process of writing and submitting a successful Value Added Producer Grant.

Cleaning & Sanitizing on Produce Farms

March 11, 2021
8:30am - 12:00pm EST
Online Zoom Meeting

The Institute for Food Safety at Cornell University, UVM Extension Ag Engineering, and CCE Orange County, CCE Dutchess County, and CCE ENYCHP are hosting a workshop on Cleaning and Sanitizing on Produce Farms and in Packing Facilities. This remote 3.5 hour webinar will provide:

  • A brief review of microbial risks in produce farms and packing facilities
  • Conducting a Sanitation Operational Assessment
  • Presentations focused on the: o Basics of wet and dry cleaning and sanitizing o Value and importance of sanitation SOPs
  • A hands-on exercise writing a sanitation SOP

Modern Stone Fruit Training Systems Webinar

March 16, 2021
11am-1pm

While yields of stone fruits planted to traditional orchard systems have been lagging behind our modern apple plantings in the northeast, research is actively being conducted to utilize improved rootstocks and modern, narrow training systems to increase productivity and reduce labor costs in peach and cherry systems. 

In this webinar, we will be joined by Dr. Jim Schupp, Dr. Greg Lang, and Dr. Terence Robinson, as they discuss improved strategies for growing peaches and cherries in the northeast.

Modern Stone Fruit Training Systems Webinar

March 16, 2021
11:00am-1:00pm

Modern Stone Fruit Training Systems Webinar

While yields of stone fruits planted to traditional orchard systems have been lagging behind our modern apple plantings in the northeast, research is actively being conducted to utilize improved rootstocks and modern, narrow training systems to increase productivity and reduce labor costs in peach and cherry systems. 

In this webinar, we will be joined by Dr. Jim Schupp, Dr. Greg Lang, and Dr. Terence Robinson, as they discuss improved strategies for growing peaches and cherries in the northeast.

Orleans County - DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Pre-Exam Training via Zoom

March 22, 2021 : DEC Certified Applicator Pre-Exam Training Day 1
1pm - 3pm
Online via Zoom

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.

Wayne County - DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Pre-Exam Training via Zoom

March 22, 2021 : DEC Certified Applicator Pre-Exam Training Day 1
1pm - 3pm
Online via Zoom

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.  


How to Obtain a Pesticide Applicator License - March 23

March 23, 2021
1pm - 4pm
Online Zoom Meeting

Thinking about becoming a certified pesticide applicator in New York?  This online program will cover the basics of who needs a pesticide license, license types, examination procedures, and important information to know for the test.  We will incorporate interactive practice questions and activities within the program to test participant knowledge in preparation for the exam.

 

Orleans County - DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Pre-Exam Training via Zoom

March 24, 2021 : DEC Certified Applicator Pre-Exam Training Day 2
1pm - 3pm
Online via Zoom
Workshop without manuals can register by Mar 5,

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.

Wayne County - DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Pre-Exam Training via Zoom

March 24, 2021 : DEC Certified Applicator Pre-Exam Training Day 2
1pm - 3pm
Online via Zoom
Workshop without manuals can register by Mar 5,

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.

Orleans County - DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Pre-Exam Training via Zoom

March 29, 2021 : DEC Certified Applicator Pre-Exam Training Day 3
1pm - 3pm
Online via Zoom

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.

Wayne County - DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Pre-Exam Training via Zoom

March 29, 2021 : DEC Certified Applicator Pre-Exam Training Day 3
1pm - 3pm
Online via Zoom

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.

Northeast Winter Fruit Seminar Series NEWA 3.0 Project Upgrades for 2021 Webinar

March 30, 2021
12-1:30pm
Online

NEWA is an online platform that provides decision support information for insect pests, plant diseases, and crop management in fruit, vegetable, and field crop commodities. These resources are accessible at http://newa.cornell.edu free of charge to all producers in any of NEWA's 15 member states. 


In this online meeting, Dan Olmstead will discuss upgrades coming to NEWA. Some of which include user accounts to save model settings, a customizable list of favorite stations, and an app-like user experience on smart devices with smaller screens. In addition, video Quickstart Guides will be available for every NEWA model. 

DEC Credits Available 1.25 DEC credits in Categories 10, 1A, 21, 22, 23, and 25

Orleans County - DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Pre-Exam Training via Zoom

March 31, 2021 : DEC Certified Applicator Pre-Exam Training Day 4
1pm - 3pm
Online via Zoom

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.

Wayne County - DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Pre-Exam Training via Zoom

March 31, 2021 : DEC Certified Applicator Pre-Exam Training Day 4
1pm - 3pm
Online via Zoom

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.

Cleaning and Sanitizing on Produce Farms and in Packing Facilities

March 31, 2021
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Virtual (Zoom)
N/A, NY

The Institute for Food Safety at Cornell University, UVM Extension Ag Engineering, and CCE

[Insert your county, region or program here] are hosting a workshop on Cleaning and Sanitizing
on Produce Farms and in Packing Facilities. This remote 3.5 hour webinar will provide:

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

2024 Tree Fruit & Small Fruit Twilight Meetings

Event Offers DEC Credits

April 25, 2024 : Tree Fruit & Small Fruit Twilight Meetings 1 of 4
Newark, NY

Join specialists Janet Van Zoeren, Anya Osatuke, and Anna Wallis for a conversation about fruit and berry phenology and pest management, at a new location each month.


Event Offers DEC Credits

May 30, 2024 : Tree Fruit & Small Fruit Twilight Meetings 2 of 4
Lockport, NY

Join specialists Janet Van Zoeren, Anya Osatuke, and Anna Wallis for a conversation about fruit and berry phenology and pest management, at a new location each month.


Event Offers DEC Credits

June 27, 2024 : Tree Fruit & Small Fruit Twilight Meetings 3 of 4
Penn Yan, NY

Join specialists Janet Van Zoeren, Anya Osatuke, and Anna Wallis for a conversation about fruit and berry phenology and pest management, at a new location each month.


Event Offers DEC Credits

July 25, 2024 : Tree Fruit & Small Fruit Twilight Meetings 4 of 4
Mexico, NY

Join specialists Janet Van Zoeren, Anya Osatuke, and Anna Wallis for a conversation about fruit and berry phenology and pest management, at a new location each month.

2nd Annual WNY Fruit Grower Tour

August 13, 2024

We are excited to announce the second annual Western New York Fruit Grower Tour, the premier fruit tour of the northeast brought to you by Cornell Cooperative Extension's Lake Ontario Fruit Program and Lake Ontario Ag Consulting, LLC!  Located in Orleans County, this orchard field day will highlight new and existing products, chemistries, practices, technologies & equipment that shape the orchard industry today. The Western NY Fruit Grower Tour will again combine two past orchard tour events, the LOF Summer Fruit Tour and the Wayne County Fruit Grower Tour, giving industry members the opportunity to conveniently showcase their product offerings to ONE unified group at ONE time and place!

Save the Date - Western NY Fruit Conference - February 4-5, 2025

Event Offers DEC Credits

February 4 - February 5, 2025 : Western NY Fruit Conference
Rochester, NY

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.

Announcements

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


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

2024 Events:

15 Apr - Virtual Orchard IPM Scout Training - 2-4pm - Zoom

17 Apr - Final Special Permit Training - 1pm-5pm - Irondequoit Library, Register by 8am April 16th

22 Apr - Statewide Virtual Pink Meeting - 3pm-4:30pm - Zoom

13 Aug - 2nd Annual WNY Fruit Grower Tour - Orleans County

Feb 4-5, 2025 - Western NY Fruit Conference - DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Rochester



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


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



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


PACMAN Details and Resources, Meeting Recording Links below:




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.