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:
      What's wrong with my crop?

Events - month view

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March 2018

Marketing Your Farm as a Great Place to Work

March 1, 2018
5-7:30 pm
Highland, NY

Marketing Your Farm as a Great Place to Work
Do you have a lot of staff turnover? Do you want to improve your communication skills with your employees? This workshop is for you.

Learn to create a work environment that attracts and retains quality employees. You will leave with an assessment of your current employee management strengths and weaknesses, and an outline of an employee handbook that will help you articulate your farm's values to your employees.

PSA Grower Training Course

March 1, 2018
8:30am-4:00pm
Middletown, NY

PSA Grower Training Course

**Save $25 if you attend both the Onion School and the March 1st PSA Grower Training Course. To register for this bundle deal, CLICK HERE

The course will provide a foundation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and co-management information, FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, and details on how to develop a farm food safety plan.

The Course is designed for 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 is mandatory for this event. 


Candidate Interviews for CCE-LOF Business Managment Position

March 2, 2018
All day (specific TBA)
Newark, NY

We have 2 strong candidates for this critical position.  Please join us to hear their seminars, ask questions and evaluate the candidates that could be your future Business Management Fruit Specialist.
Pre-register by February 28, 2018.

Winter Growing Field Trip to Pleasant Valley Farm

March 5, 2018
11:00am-2:00pm
Argyle, NY

Winter Growing Field Trip to Pleasant Valley Farm
Grower field trip to see active winter production in high tunnels.

What is my job? Hiring, training and evaluating farm employees effectively

March 8, 2018
5-7:30 pm
Highland, NY

What is my job?  Hiring, training and evaluating farm employees effectively

How well do your employees understand their jobs?

Everyone wants farm employees who know what to do without being told. Unfortunately most people you hire or manage can't read minds. This workshop will help you develop effective tools for training and evaluating new employees or employees moving into new positions. You will learn to develop clear job descriptions, learn techniques in hiring, and training new staff and how to use "just in time" feedback and performance appraisal to both correct problems and motivate your staff.


2018 Pre-Exam Training & Test to Become A Certified Pesticide Applicator

March 13 - March 19, 2018
Classes - March 13 & 15 from 8am - 12:30pm Test - March 19 from 9am - 12pm
Albion, NY

 Pre-Exam Workshop - Pre-register by 26 Feb 2018 with Kim Hazel @ 585-798-4265 ext. 26.
March 13 & 15, 8am-12:30pm
Cost: $50 payable to CCE-Orleans Co.
Certification Exam - to register for exam or if you have questions contact: Justin Schoff @ 607-622-8290.
March 19, 9am-12pm
Cost: $100 payable to DEC

Keeping Good Staff when Money is Tight & Managing Conflict in the Workplace

March 15, 2018
5:00-7:30pm
Highland, NY

Although everyone likes to be paid, money is not the only, or even most important, motivator for staff retention and performance. Poorly addressed conflict, however, can cost you good employees.  Learn to motivate and retain farm staff while managing conflict and problem farm employees.


FSMA 7 Hour Grower Training Course - Registration Closed

March 16, 2018
8AM - 5:15PM
Newark, NY

Registration Closed - Course Full

Save the Date: Friday, March 16, 2018
Cost & Registration: $70 per farm, maximum of 2 people/farm.
All of you should be aware of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) signed into federal law by President Obama in 2011. I have been writing about it and offering courses for nearly 2 years. If you are not exempt from the Produce Safety Rule, one of the requirements is to take a 7-hour grower training course.
Click details for more information.

2018 CCE-LOF Spanish Winter Fruit Schools

March 16, 2018 : 2018 CCE - LOF Spanish Fruit School - Wayne

March 17, 2018 : 2018 CCE-LOF Spanish Fruit School - Orleans

March 16, 2018 - Our Lady of Guadalupe - Roman Catholic Church
March 17, 2018 - Orchard Dale Fruit Farm

Pre-register by March 12th

This years Spanish - speaking fruit school program will provide an indepth and current look at orchard horticulture, pests, hard cider, as well as a review of skills for success and management.

Hudson Valley Pesticide Applicator Pre-Exam Training

March 19 - March 21, 2018
9:00am-12:00pm
Highland, NY

CCE ENYCHP Agriculture Specialists will be offering a training to review core concepts and commodity specific items in preparation for the exam. 

Registration Fee covers two days of review:  Monday 3/19 and Wednesday 3/21, 9am-12noon

Exam: Tuesday 3/27, 9AM-1PM

2018 Pruning Workshop of Apple Orchards in Oswego

March 21, 2018
1:30-4pm
Mexico, NY

Modern pruning techniques of young and mature high density plantings, how to correct/improve "bushy" canopies.

Are you managing your risks as a farm employer? The compliance and safety workshop

March 22, 2018
1:00-4:00pm
Highlnd, NY

Are you managing your risks as a farm employer? The compliance and safety workshop

This is the workshop that covers the nuts and bolts of risk management as a farm employer.  Hear presentations from NYS DOL and NYCAMH on employer regulations and safety.


Apple Crop Insurance Plan for Information Collection Listening Sessions

March 21, 2018 : Monroe County

March 23, 2018 : Ulster County

Apple Crop Insurance Plan Information Collection
Listening Sessions for Growers, Insurance Co. Staff & Agents

Agralytica of Alexandria, Virginia is conducting a review of the apple insurance plan on behalf of the USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA). As part of the review, Agralytica staff will hold listening sessions with growers, insurance staff and other interested parties in several states. For New York, the sessions will be on March 21 in Rochester and March 23 in Highland. Participants from New England states are also welcome at the Highland session.

NEWA "Hands-On" Workshop: Tree Fruits

March 28, 2018
1:00 to 4:00pm
Voorheesville, NY

NEWA  "Hands-On" Workshop: Tree Fruits
Attendees will learn the ins-and-outs of the NEWA system (Network for Environment and Weather Applications). NEWA is an online system that provides hourly and daily weather data, pest forecasting models, and crop production models, to help implement IPM practices on farms across the Northeast. Attendees will learn how to efficiently navigate the NEWA interface, including how to get weather data, access station specific pages, and effectively utilize models for apple insects and diseases.

NEWA "Hands-On" Workshop: Grapes and Small Fruits

March 28, 2018
9:30 to 11:45am
Voorheesville, NY

NEWA  "Hands-On" Workshop: Grapes and Small Fruits
At this workshop, growers will learn the ins-and-outs of the NEWA system (Network for Environment and Weather Applications).  NEWA is an online system that provides hourly and daily weather data, pest forecasting models, and crop production models, to help implement IPM practices on farms across the Northeast. Attendees will learn how to efficiently navigate the NEWA interface, including how to get weather data, access station specific pages, and effectively utilize models for grape berry moth, black rot, downy mildew, powdery mildew and Phomopsis. New models currently being developed for small fruits will also be discussed.

April 2018

20 Minute Farm Manager

April 2 - April 11, 2018
12:00-12:30

20 Minute Farm Manager
Join us for our April lunch and learn series featuring the best of the Good to Great in Ag Labor Management Series.  Each webinar will take about 20 minutes and provide tips and resources to help you get off to a great start with your employees this spring.  Pre-registration is required but the program is free.

Statewide Honeycrisp Sensory Evaluation - Niagara/Orleans & Eastern NY Blocks

April 4, 2018
10 AM - 2 PM
Geneva, NY

Growers and collaborators,

As most of you know, I've been working on a statewide precision harvest management experiment, that is a continuation of Terence Robinson's work with some modifications. It focuses on Honeycrisp within the 3 main production regions of the state, in which all of some of you were involved.

The main goal of this experiment is to develop guidelines for precision harvest management by determining if Honeycrisp orchards can be evaluated at harvest for storage potential using fruit dry matter content, fruit mineral (peel and flesh) content, the DA meter, and piecing together complex block histories and cultural practices.

2018 Worker Protection Standard Training & DEC Special Permit Training (Wayne County)

April 4, 2018
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM English Session / 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Spanish Session
Newark, NY

2018 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.

Statewide Honeycrisp Sensory Evaluation - Wayne County Blocks

April 5, 2018
10 AM - 2 PM
Geneva, NY

Growers and collaborators,

As most of you know, I've been working on a statewide precision harvest management experiment, that is a continuation of Terence Robinson's work with some modifications. It focuses on Honeycrisp within the 3 main production regions of the state, in which all of some of you were involved.

The main goal of this experiment is to develop guidelines for precision harvest management by determining if Honeycrisp orchards can be evaluated at harvest for storage potential using fruit dry matter content, fruit mineral (peel and flesh) content, the DA meter, and piecing together complex block histories and cultural practices.


2018 Worker Protection Standard Training & DEC Special Permit Training (Orleans County)

April 5, 2018
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM English & Spanish sessions
Albion, NY

2018 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.

May 2018

FSMA 7 Hour Grower Training Course Plus optional 2nd Day Farm Food Safety Plan Writing Workshop

May 2, 2018 : FSMA 7 Hour Grower Training Course

May 3, 2018 : Optional Farm Food Safety Plan Writing Workshop

FSMA 7 Hour Grower Training Course
This program is for fruit and vegetable growers who need Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) certification or GAPs/HGAPs (Good Agricultural Practices/ Harmonized Good Agricultural Practices) training required by buyers (i.e. 3rd-party food safety audits based on a written food safety plan) or if you are just interested in learning about produce safety.

Over the course of the training, certified Produce Safety Alliance trainers will cover content contained in these seven modules:
  • Introduction to Produce Safety
  • Worker Health, Hygiene, and Training
  • Soil Amendments
  • Wildlife, Domesticated Animals, and Land Use 
  • Agricultural Water (Part I: Production Water; Part II: Postharvest Water) 
  • Postharvest Handling and Sanitation 
  • How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan
An optional farm food safety plan writing workshop is offered on May 3. Separate registration required.

20 Minute Ag Manager Webinars: Basic Farm Finances

May 15, 2018
12-12:30 PM

20 Minute Ag Manager Webinars: Basic Farm Finances
Setting Up Your Farm's Accounts in Your Financial System

Part of a 20 minute lunchtime webinar series held on Tuesdays this summer covering farm business management topics.  

20 Minute Ag Manager Webinars: Basic Farm Finances (Pt.II)

May 22, 2018
12-12:30 PM

20 Minute Ag Manager Webinars: Basic Farm Finances (Pt.II)
Understanding Depreciation

Part of a 20 minute lunchtime webinar series held on Tuesdays this summer covering farm business management topics. 

20 Minute Ag Manager Webinars: Basic Farm Finances (Pt.III)

May 29, 2018
12-12:30 PM

20 Minute Ag Manager Webinars: Basic Farm Finances (Pt.III)
Understanding Assets and Liabilities vs Income and Expenses

Part of a 20 minute lunchtime webinar series held on Tuesdays this summer covering farm business management topics.  
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.