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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Events - month view

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April 2015

Special Permit Training for Pesticide Handlers - Kingston

April 3 - April 4, 2015
9:00 am - Noon
Kingston, NY

This training is for TREE FRUIT FARMS ONLY

We will again be offering this 3-hr training to provide "special permits" to non-certified pesticide applicators.  This will enable trained applicators to apply restricted-use pesticides during the 2015 season without "direct, on-site supervision." 

Training will be offered in English and Spanish!

Special permits issued will be for the 2015 season ONLY.  Those issued in 2014 are no longer valid.



Grape Pruning Workshp

April 3, 2015
Friday 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Highland, NY

Join Jim O'Connell, Small Fruit/Grape Educator at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County and ENYCHP for a grape pruning demonstration on Friday April 3, 2015 at the Hudson Valley Research Lab (HVRL) at 3357 Route 9W in Highland, NY. We will start at 2:00 pm and end around 3:30 or 4:00 pm.

Northeastern NY Vineyard Workshop 1 - Vine Training and Pruning, Upper Hudson Valley

April 4, 2015
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Schaghticoke,, NY

This workshop will cover the various grape vine training systems available for cold hardy varieties including vertical shoot positioning (VSP), top wire cordon (TWC), and umbrella kniffin (UK). Pros and cons of each of these systems will be discussed. Workshop will include a vine pruning demonstration.

DEC Special Permit Training in Wayne Co.

April 8, 2015
8:30 AM - 12 PM English Session & 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM Spanish Session
Newark, NY

DEC Special Permit Training in Wayne Co.
DEC Special Permit allows non-certified workers to apply and handle federally restricted use pesticides.
A DEC Special Permit is valid for one year and needs to be renewed every year unless the pesticide applicator becomes certified.

A DEC Special Permit is valid for one year and needs to be renewed every year unless the pesticide applicator becomes certified.  Please bring green "WPS Handler" cards.
  Please pre-register your non-certified applicators for this training by April 3 using the registration form (click here)

2015 Spring Berry Workshops

April 9, 2015
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Guilderland, NY

These workshops will cover pruning efficiency and protocol; spring pest management including scouting for pests and optimizing control strategies. Join us for one of these workshops to learn more about berry culture and how you can minimize the impact of berry pests.

DEC Special Permit Training in Orleans Co.

April 9, 2015
8:30 AM - 12 PM English Session & 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM Spanish Session
Albion, NY

DEC Special Permit Training in Orleans Co.
DEC Special Permit allows non-certified workers to apply and handle federally restricted use pesticides.
A DEC Special Permit is valid for one year and needs to be renewed every year unless the pesticide applicator becomes certified.

A DEC Special Permit is valid for one year and needs to be renewed every year unless the pesticide applicator becomes certified.  Please bring green "WPS Handler" cards.
Please pre-register your non-certified applicators for this training by April 3 using the registration form (click here)

Special Permit Training for Pesticide Handlers - Peru

April 10, 2015
9:00 am - Noon
Peru, NY

THE DATE FOR THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CHANGED. It will now be held FRIDAY APRIL 10TH.

This training is for TREE FRUIT FARMS ONLY

We will again be offering this 3-hr training to provide "special permits" to non-certified pesticide applicators.  This will enable trained applicators to apply restricted-use pesticides during the 2015 season without "direct, on-site supervision." 

Special permits issued will be for the 2015 season ONLY.  Those issued in 2014 are no longer valid.



2015 Spring Berry Workshops

April 13, 2015
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Kerhonkson, NY

These workshops will cover pruning efficiency and protocol; spring pest management including scouting for pests and optimizing control strategies. Join us for one of these workshops to learn more about berry culture and how you can minimize the impact of berry pests.

2015 Spring Berry Workshops

April 14, 2015
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Newburgh, NY

These workshops will cover pruning efficiency and protocol; spring pest management including scouting for pests and optimizing control strategies. Join us for one of these workshops to learn more about berry culture and how you can minimize the impact of berry pests.

2015 Spring Berry Workshops

April 16, 2015
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Crown Point, NY

These workshops will cover pruning efficiency and protocol; spring pest management including scouting for pests and optimizing control strategies. Join us for one of these workshops to learn more about berry culture and how you can minimize the impact of berry pests.

2015 Spring Berry Workshops

April 21, 2015
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Fort Plain, NY

These workshops will cover pruning efficiency and protocol; spring pest management including scouting for pests and optimizing control strategies. Join us for one of these workshops to learn more about berry culture and how you can minimize the impact of berry pests.

Apple IPM Training - Champlain Valley

April 21, 2015
10:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Plattsburgh, NY

This training will provide a review of the basics of Integrated Pest Management in a classroom setting. Multiple presentations will cover the theory of IPM, major pests requiring management in commercial orchards, resources available to make management decisions (including NEWA), and an example IPM plan.  

NYS DEC Credits have been applied for.

Apple IPM Training - Capital District

April 22, 2015
10:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Ballston Spa, NY

This training will provide a review of the basics of Integrated Pest Management in a classroom setting. Multiple presentations will cover the theory of IPM, major pests requiring management in commercial orchards, resources available to make management decisions (including NEWA), and an example IPM plan.  

NYS DEC Credits have been applied for.

Northeastern NY Vineyard Workshop 3 - Site Evaluation and Establishment, Upper Hudson Valley

April 25, 2015
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Greenfield, NY

This workshop will cover the basic considerations for selecting a site for your future vineyard and how to establish a new planting. Mike Spiak of The Fossil Stone Vineyard will describe his experiences selecting property, preparing land, and planning their vineyards. The Champlain Valley location will include a hands-on planting workshop.

2015 NY State Wide Precision Chemical Thinning Training

April 29, 2015
2pm-4pm
Geneva, NY

2015 NY State Wide Precision Chemical Thinning Training

This year we want to educate and help more growers to be as stress-free as possible during the chemical thinning season. This training - the last one conducted by Dr. Robinson before his sabbatical leave- will be conducted at the Agricultural Research Station in Geneva on Wednesday April 29 from 2pm until 4pm (Jordan Hall staff room).

The training will also be broadcasted via WebEx to the CCE Orleans office and to remote users this year.


Internal Use only- Guideline purchase

April 30 - May 29, 2015

internal use only

May 2015

CANCELED: Northeastern NY Vineyard Workshop 2 - Vineyard Pest Management, Champlain Valley

May 6, 2015
Willsboro, NY

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED
This workshop will cover essential vineyard pest management practices. We will cover major vineyard pests, IPM strategies, and resources available to help guide you. Andrew Landers, pesticide application technology specialist from Cornell, will provide information about effective pesticide application, including sprayer calibration. Bring your sprayer if you'd like to learn how to calibrate your own equipment.

Northeastern NY Vineyard Workshop 2 - Vineyard Pest Management, Upper Hudson Valley

May 7, 2015
4:30 - 7:00 PM
Schaghticoke, NY

This workshop will cover essential vineyard pest management practices. We will cover major vineyard pests, IPM strategies, and resources available to help guide you. Andrew Landers, pesticide application technology specialist from Cornell, will provide information about effective pesticide application, including sprayer calibration. Bring your sprayer if you'd like to learn how to calibrate your own equipment.

RESCHEDULED: Vineyard Pest Management, Champlain Valley - WEBINAR

May 13, 2015
Plattsburgh, NY

THIS EVENT IS RESCHEDULED (original date: Wednesday 5/6)
This webinar will cover essential vineyard pest management practices. Wayne Wilcox will cover major vineyard pests, IPM strategies, and resources available to help guide you. Andrew Landers will provide information about effective pesticide application, including sprayer calibration. 

The webinar will also be available remotely! 

CANCELED - Northeastern NY Vineyard Workshop 3 - Site Evaluation and Establishment, Champlain Valley

May 16, 2015
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Essex, NY

THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN CANCELED

This workshop will cover the basic considerations for selecting a site for your future vineyard and how to establish a new planting. Jay White of Essex, NY and Mike Spiak of The Fossil Stone Vineyard will describe their experiences selecting property, preparing land, and planning their vineyards. The Champlain Valley location will include a hands-on planting workshop.

Northeastern NY Vineyard Workshop 4 - Business Management, Upper Hudson Valley

May 20, 2015
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Saratoga County, NY

This workshop will cover the basics of business management for vineyards and wineries. Bob Weybright, CCE business and marketing specialist, will provide business planning guidance for establishing a vineyard. He will also discuss considerations for obtaining a winery license and marketing your wine. Sarah Johnston will provide information on risk management, and how to obtain insurance for your valuable investment.

Produce Wash Station Set up **CANCELLED**

May 27, 2015
10:30 am-1 pm
Palatine Bridge, NY, NY

**THIS PROGRAM IS BEING RESCHEDULED. A NEW DATE WILL BE ANNOUNCED.**Join the Cornell Vegetable Program's Robert Hadad to learn how to design, build, and operate a small-scale, DIY post-harvest handling system! This great workshop will focus on the trifecta of good washing and handling—food safety, maintaining high quality and efficiency, and affordability for new and small growers. The session starts with a discussion and hands-on demonstration of how to design and set-up your wash line, tables, and packing shed, with a focus on safe and efficient product flow to separate 'dirty' field harvested produce from the washed and “clean” final product. Next, we'll look at setting up standard operating practices covering a range of methods of washing produce, including dunking, spraying, and aerating, as well as the why and how of using organic sanitizers. This session finishes with an examination of clean-up procedures and post-harvest handling considerations, including re-cooling, packing, and storage. If you want to build or upgrade your wash lines and post-harvest handling techniques and produce a safer, longer storing product, this workshop is for you!

Northeastern NY Vineyard Workshop 4 - Business Management, Champlain Valley

May 27, 2015
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Plattsburgh, NY

This workshop will cover the basics of business management for vineyards and wineries. Bob Weybright, CCE business and marketing specialist, will provide business planning guidance for establishing a vineyard. He will also discuss considerations for obtaining a winery license and marketing your wine. Sarah Johnston will provide information on risk management, and how to obtain insurance for your valuable investment.

June 2015

LOF Summer Fruit Tour -Wednesday, June 17 Featuring the Wayne County Fruit Industry

June 17, 2015
8:00 AM registration, program runs from 8:30 AM - 4 PM

Online Registration is now CLOSED - To pre-register, call Kim Hazel at 585-798-4265, ex 26.

The Cornell Cooperative Extension - Lake Ontario Summer Fruit Tour in Western NY will be held significantly earlier than usual this year due to Dr. Terence Robinson's upcoming sabbatical. It will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2015. We will feature tree fruit production technology and grower innovations in Wayne County. The CCE-LOF team is making plans now with Cornell University faculty, and the growers in the region for this show-and-tell day of networking with the fruit industry. At the regional tours we typically reach 250 growers from across the state.

Now accepting sponsorships for this event. Click on "Sponsorship" on the bottom of this page, then click on "View Upcoming Events for Potential Sponsorship", and then on “View Sponsorship Details” on the event. You'll have the option to pay online or via check with a mail-in registration form.

2015 Champlain Summer Orchard Tour

June 30, 2015
9:30am - 4:00pm

Cornell Cooperative Extension and the UVM Apple Program invites area growers to join us on a tour of orchards in the southern Champlain Valley of Vermont and New York. Pack a lunch and join the caravan as we share ideas with our hosts and each other.
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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

2026 Tree Fruit Scouting Online Course

Event Offers DEC Credits

February 25, 2026 : Week 1 - IPM Fundamentals + Tools

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.


Event Offers DEC Credits

March 4, 2026 : Week 2 - Insects: Part 1

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.


Event Offers DEC Credits

March 11, 2026 : Week 3 - Insects: Part 2

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.


Event Offers DEC Credits

March 18, 2026 : Week 4 - Diseases

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.


Event Offers DEC Credits

March 25, 2026 : Week 5 - Weeds, Wildlife, + Wrap-Up

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.

Northeast Fruit Consortium Winter Webinar Series

Event Offers DEC Credits

February 4, 2026 : Management of Up and Coming Strawberry Diseases in the Northeastern United States


February 11, 2026 : Kiwiberry Production in the Northeast


February 18, 2026 : Apple Color and Sunburn


Event Offers DEC Credits

February 25, 2026 : The Dating Game; Updates in Lepidopteran Mating Disruption


Event Offers DEC Credits

March 4, 2026 : Update: USEPA Endangered Species Act and Implications for Pesticide Use


March 11, 2026 : Practical Drought Management for Fruit Growers

2026 Orleans County - DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Pre-Exam Training

March 9, 2026 : DEC Certified Applicator Pre-Exam Training Day 1
Albion, 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 13, 2026 : DEC Certified Applicator Pre-Exam Training Day 2
Albion, 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.

Announcements

Now Hiring!

Join Cornell Cooperative Extension's Lake Ontario Fruit Program -- a full-time, hybrid role supporting commercial fruit growers through education, applied research, and industry collaboration in western New York. See more details to determine if this role is right for you.

2026 Winter Fruit School Survey Link

2026 Winter Fruit School Survey

If you attended the 2026 Winter Fruit School. Please take a moment and let us know what you liked and how you think we can improve this event.

Event Survey Link https://cornell.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3Otvd7ylJ106HLo

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

2026 Events:

for more details click on event title

4 Mar - Tree Fruit Scouting Online Course: Week 2 - 4:30 - 6pm, Online, Free

9 Mar - DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Pre-Exam Training Day 1 - 8:15am - 12:30pm, CCE Orleans, Reserve by March 1!


11 Mar - 2026 USDA-SCRI SPARC Heat School - 11:30am - 5:40pm, Wenatchee, WA, In-person learning hub in Waterport, NY, & Virtual.

11 Mar - Tree Fruit Scouting Online Course: Week 3 - 4:30 - 6pm, Online, Free

12 Mar - 2026 Cornell Winter Fruit Webinars: Inoculating Orchards with Mycorrhizal Fungi - 11am - 12:30pm, Online, Register Now!


16 Mar - DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Exam - 8:30am, CCE Orleans, Register with DEC by March 1st!

18 Mar - Postharvest Water Management, Sanitation, and Traceability Workshop - 9am - 4pm, CCE Orleans, Register Now! 2.75 DEC Credits available in 10,1a,22,23.

18 Mar - Tree Fruit Scouting Online Course: Week 4 - 4:30 - 6pm, Online, Free

19 Mar - 2026 Cornell Winter Fruit Webinars: St. Peachtrick's Day - Cherry Pruning Strategies and Plum Varieties for the Northeast - 11am - 12:30pm, Online, Register Now!

20 Mar - Harmonized GAP Plus+ Plan Writing Session - 7:30am Sign-in, CCE Wayne, Register Now!

24 Mar - Pesticide Applicators Review Course & Exam - Day 1 - 9am - 1pm, CCE Wayne, Register Now!

25 Mar - Tree Fruit Scouting Online Course: Week 5 - 4:30 - 6pm, Online, Free


2 Apr - DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Exam - 9am, CCE Wayne, Register Now!

30 July - 2026  Cornell Fruit Field Day, Geneva.  Stay tuned for updates.


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

2026 Recordings

2025 Recordings & Materials




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: 






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


PACMAN Details and Resources, Meeting Recording Links below:




In Memory of Robert Brown II

With Deep Sadness, We Honor the Memory of Robert Brown II: A Cherished Friend, an Influential Leader in the Western NY Apple Industry, and a Remarkable Contributor to the Core Mission of CCE (May 23, 1955 -- November 23, 2025) see details https://lof.cce.cornell.edu/submission.php?id=976&crumb=crops|crops|apples|crop*38

NEWA weather stations moving to a new dashboard!

NEWA weather stations purchased through Rainwise (now owned by KestrelMet) are moving to a new dashboard!



NYCAMH Fit Testing Requirements

Considering NYCAMH for your respirator fit testing?

Here are some key facts and helpful tips about medical clearance:

Medical Clearance ? Fit Testing (They are not the same!)

Before you can wear a respirator or be fit tested, OSHA requires a medical evaluation under the Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134). This evaluation must be conducted by a licensed healthcare provider to determine if you are physically able to use a respirator safely.

read details

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

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.

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



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.