Events - month view
earlier monthsMarch 2018
Marketing Your Farm as a Great Place to Work
March 1, 2018
5-7:30 pm
Highland, NY
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
**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
Pre-register by February 28, 2018.
Winter Growing Field Trip to Pleasant Valley Farm
March 5, 2018
11:00am-2:00pm
Argyle, NY
What is my job? Hiring, training and evaluating farm employees effectively
March 8, 2018
5-7:30 pm
Highland, NY
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
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
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 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
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
Are you managing your risks as a farm employer? The compliance and safety workshop
March 22, 2018
1:00-4:00pm
Highlnd, NY
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
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: Grapes and Small Fruits
March 28, 2018
9:30 to 11:45am
Voorheesville, NY
April 2018
20 Minute Farm Manager
April 2 - April 11, 2018
12:00-12:30
Statewide Honeycrisp Sensory Evaluation - Niagara/Orleans & Eastern NY Blocks
April 4, 2018
10 AM - 2 PM
Geneva, NY
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
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
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
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
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
20 Minute Ag Manager Webinars: Basic Farm Finances
May 15, 2018
12-12:30 PM
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.III)
May 29, 2018
12-12:30 PM
Apples
Apricots
Asian Pears
Blueberries
Cherries
Currants
Gooseberries
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Plums
Raspberries / Blackberries
Strawberries
Unusual Fruit
Upcoming Events
Cornell Statewide Pink Meeting
April 21, 2026
Join us for a statewide pink zoom meeting covering key topics including crop load, frost risk, disease, and insect management, followed by Q&A; the session will be recorded and shared on both programs' YouTube channels.
2026 Tree Fruit & Small Fruit Twilight Meetings
April 30, 2026 : Tree Fruit & Small Fruit Twilight Meeting 1
Webster, NY
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!
May 28, 2026 : Tree Fruit & Small Fruit Twilight Meeting 2
Oswego, NY
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!
June 25, 2026 : Tree Fruit & Small Fruit Twilight Meeting 3
Medina, NY
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!
2026 Virtual Orchard Meetup Series
February 27, 2026 : Session 1 - The Impacts of Weather on Pome Fruit Quality and Storability: Lessons Learned
The Impacts of Weather on Pome Fruit Quality and Storability: Lessons from 2025 - The first meetup will be conducted live on Friday, February 27, 2026, at 10:30pm (PST)/1:30pm (EST). The webinar will last 90 minutes. The format will include brief presentations by two SPARC scientists, followed by a packer/grower panel of industry leaders across North America. The meetup will conclude with an open discussion in a very inclusive virtual format. Viewers are invited to share solutions, ask questions, and interact with scientists and panelists. The program is free of charge.
June 11, 2026 : Session 2
Details to follow.
June 18, 2026
Details to follow.
June 25, 2026 : Session 4
Details to follow.