Lake Ontario Fruit Program Enrollment

Program Areas

  • Food Safety
  • Variety Evaluation
  • Market Development
  • Pest Management
  • Cultural Practices

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  • Telephone / Email Consultations
  • Fruit Newsletter?
  • Direct Mailings
  • Educational Meetings & Conferences
  • In-Field Educational Opportunities
  • On-Farm Research Trials

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LOF Enrollment Form - Satellite (PDF; 404KB)

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Not an Enrollee? Enroll Now!

LOF Enrollment Form - Satellite (PDF; 404KB)

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Events - month view

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August 2015

First Fruit Tour for Spanish-speaking Employees

August 1, 2015
1pm-5pm
Albion, NY

First Fruit Tour for Spanish-speaking Employees
The CCE LOF team is organizing the first fruit summer tour for Spanish-speaking employees to be held in Orleans County from 1pm until 5pm on Saturday August 1, 2015. At each of the 5 tour stops participants will be hosted by a Spanish-speaking employee who is the owner and/or has acquired significant field experience by managing an orchard and/or a nursery operation. The entire cycle of apple production will be discussed during the tour.

The tour is FREE for your employees but a pre-registration is required by Thursday July 30. For registration, contact Kim R. Hazel krh5@cornell.edu, (585) 798-4265. For questions, contact Mario Miranda Sazo mrm67@cornell.edu, (315) 719-1318. 

Limiting Bird Damage in Fruit- Workshop

Event Offers DEC Credits

August 19, 2015
8:30 am - 4:00 PM Lunch is included
Ballston Spa, NY

Gain comprehensive knowledge about successful bird management strategies in susceptible fruit crops, including sweet and tart cherry, blueberry, 'Honeycrisp' apples and wine grapes.


High Tunnel Grower Field Meeting

August 24, 2015
6pm - 8pm
Schuyler Falls, NY

Growers are invited to join a discussion about growing vegetables using season extension, protected culture and high tunnel production methods. Speakers include Amy Ivy and Crystal Stewart of the Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program and Judson Reid of the Cornell Vegetable Program.  

Extending Local Strawberry Production Using Low Tunnel Technology

August 25 - September 16, 2015
2:00 - 4:00 PM
Hilton, NY

NYFVI awarded a grant to set up grower demonstrations to extend the strawberry production season using low tunnels and day neutral strawberries. Growers who are growing demonstration plots are inviting you to see the progress in the plantings at 3 sites.

There are 3 meetings across the state. Come and see if this might work for your farm.

Western NY Regional Storage Workshop - Event is Free But Pre-Registration is Required

August 28, 2015
Friday, August 28th, 10 AM - 2 PM
Newark, NY

2015 Western NY Regional Storage Workshop
Friday, August 28, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, Wayne County CCE in Newark
In lieu of the traditional Cornell Storage Workshop in Ithaca, Chris Watkins will be doing a session in Newark on August 28, from 10:00 AM to 2 PM. Areas covered will be:
• Gala stem end browning
• storage of Honeycrisp
• DCA

Lunch and refreshments will be served.

The event is free, but please pre-register online to ensure an accurate count on lunches and handouts.
• Overview of storage issues for varieties of importance in Western NY
• Questions & Answer

September 2015

Open House for Spotted Wing Drosophila Netting Exclusion and Fix Spray System Farm Trials

September 2, 2015
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Stephentown, NY

Open House for Spotted Wing Drosophila Netting Exclusion and Fix Spray System Farm Trials
The Berry Patch at Stonewall Hill Farm produces all kinds of berries and vegetables for local retail markets. Owner Dale Ila Riggs and the NYS Berry Grower Association have helped to lead campaign to secure research funding for SWD.  


Packing Shed Tour - Wayne County - Van DeWalle Packing Shed, Alton NY

September 9, 2015
1PM - 2PM
Alton, NY

This tour is open for growers and their harvest employees to see a packing shed in operation. This tours will give attendees a better understanding of the packing/marketing process and the impact that poor quality apples or culls have on packing sheds and ultimately the grower's bottom line. This is a great opportunity for your harvest employees to "see" where fresh apples go to be packed and to give them a better sense for why they spot pick and why poor quality is costly. This tour is open to Spanish speaking employees as Mario Miranda-Sazo will be present to provide Spanish interpretation.

Packing Shed Tour - Orleans County - HH Dobbins Packing Shed, Lydonville NY

September 10, 2015
1PM - 2PM
Lyndonville, NY

This tour is open for growers and their harvest employees to see a packing shed in operation. This tours will give attendees a better understanding of the packing/marketing process and the impact that poor quality apples or culls have on packing sheds and ultimately the grower's bottom line. This is a great opportunity for your harvest employees to "see" where fresh apples go to be packed and to give them a better sense for why they spot pick and why poor quality is costly. This tour is open to Spanish speaking employees as Mario Miranda-Sazo will be present to provide Spanish interpretation.

Allium School

September 14 - September 15, 2015
6:00pm - 8:30pm
Saratoga, NY and Burlington VT,

Allium School
Join Extension specialists and researchers from Cornell University, University of Vermont, and Cornell Cooperative Extension in a grower discussion and production update. 

Two locations and dates- choose the one most convenient for you
Both programs run 6:00-8:30 pm


Free, buffet dinner will be provided. Please reply by September 8 

Extending Local Strawberry Production Using Low Tunnel Technology

September 16, 2015
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Feura Bush, NY

Extending Local Strawberry Production Using Low Tunnel Technology
New York Farm Viability Institute (NYFVI) awarded a grant for demonstrations of day neutral strawberries under low tunnels. Day neutral strawberries are challenging to grow, but can yield great rewards for direct market growers. Low tunnels have been shown to reduce disease problems. Tim and Colleen Stanton have joined several other growers statewide to demonstrate this technology. 

Root Crops Twilight meeting

Event Offers DEC Credits

September 29, 2015
4pm-6pm
Hurley, NY

Root Crops Twilight meeting
Farmers are invited to tour 18 varieties of beets, over 25 varieties of carrots, and 7 varieties of parsnips and to learn about their disease resistance, eating quality, and yield potential.

Featured speakers will be pathologist Dr. Sarah Pethybridge from the Cornell University Geneva Experiment Station, Jan van der Heide from Bejo Seeds, and Lisa Ward from Sakata. Ridge cultivation of carrots will also be discussed. Bring your questions, challenges, and an appetite. All crops will be available to sample.

To register: please call Marcie at 518-272-4210 or register with the link listed above 

October 2015

No Events Scheduled at this Time

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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
view calendar of events

Upcoming Events

2026 Cornell Winter Fruit Webinars

January 22, 2026 : Blueberry Pruning and Soil Health to Minimize Pests and Maximize Yield

Week 1: Blueberry Pruning and Soil Health to Minimize Pests and Maximize Yield

January 29, 2026 : Cost of Production for Fruit Crops

Week 2:  Cost of Production for Fruit Crops - A new tool for tree fruit, updates on berry production in NY, and strategies for tracking and using expense data.

February 12, 2026 : Fire Blight Management Updates

Week 3: Fire Blight Management Updates - Pathogen Biology, Defense Inducers, Biopesticides, and Pruning Therapies

February 19, 2026 : Pink and Petal Fall Insecticides - Can We Strike the Right Balance?

Week 4: Pink and Petal Fall Insecticides - Can We Strike the Right Balance? 

March 12, 2026 : Inoculating Orchards with Mycorrhizal Fungi

Week 5: Inoculating Orchards with Mycorrhizal Fungi

March 19, 2026 : St. Peachtrick's Day - Cherry Pruning Strategies and Plum Varieties for the Northeast

Week 6: St. Peachtrick's Day - Cherry Pruning Strategies and Plum Varieties for the Northeast

2026 Winter Fruit Schools

Event Offers DEC Credits

February 4, 2026 : 2026 Winter Fruit School - Niagara County
Lockport, NY

CCE-LOF are excited to bring you a return to LOF's Winter Fruit Schools, in which there will be two nearly identical programs on consecutive days in two locations in LOF's territory. We are in the process of putting together the program, and have garnered key input from our growers, businesses, and other personnel.  Please note registration cost increases after January 27th, Registration Now!  

February 5, 2026 : 2026 Winter Fruit School - Wayne County
Williamson, NY

CCE-LOF are excited to bring you a return to LOF's Winter Fruit Schools, in which there will be two nearly identical programs on consecutive days in two locations in LOF's territory. We are in the process of putting together the program, and have garnered key input from our growers, businesses, and other personnel.  Please note registration cost increases after January 27th, Registration Now!  

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

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

12 Jan - The Past, the Present, and the Future of PACMAN - 11am - 3pm EST, Webinar, Free, Register Now! 


13 & 14 Jan - Part 2: Pesticide Applicator Exam Prep - 8:30am-12:30pm, Online, $40, Register Now!

22 Jan - 2026 Cornell Winter Fruit Webinars: Blueberry Pruning and Soil Health to Minimize Pests and Maximize Yield - 11am - 12:30pm, Online, Register Now! 


4 Feb - LOF Winter Fruit Schools - Sign-in 7:30am, 8:30am-4:30pm, CCE Niagara, Register Now!

5 Feb - LOF Winter Fruit Schools - Sign-in 7:30am, 8:30am-4:30pm, Rootstock Cider & Spirits, Register Now!

12 Feb - 2026 Cornell Winter Fruit Webinars: Fire Blight Management Updates - 11am - 1pm, Online, Register Now!

19 Feb - 2026 Cornell Winter Fruit Webinars: Pink and Petal Fall Insecticides - Can We Strike the Right Balance? - 11am - 12:30pm, Online, Register Now!

23-25 Feb - NY Farm to School Summit - Saratoga Springs, Register Now!

27 Feb - 2026 International Virtual Orchard Meetup and SPARC - 1:30-3pm, Webinar, Details to follow!

11 Mar - 2026 USDA-SCRI SPARC Heat School - all day, Wenatchee, WA, Details to follow!

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

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!

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


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

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


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:




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.