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?

Not an Enrollee? Enroll Now!

Online Enrollment Form

Not an Enrollee? Enroll Now!

Online Enrollment Form

Events - month view

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October 2020

ENYCH Listed Event

2020 Fall Round Up: Fall Management for Your Livestock, Pasture, and Business

October 29, 2020
12:30pm - 1:30pm
Online Zoom Meeting

Join Cornell Cooperative Extension Educators Ashley Pierce, Aaron Gabriel, and Dayton Maxwell.  This dynamic and slightly humorous group will discuss strategies for overwintering pastures in combination with management guidelines for helping livestock enter the winter season with adequate body condition.  Farm visioning, mission development, and farm goal setting will conclude the one-hour program. 

November 2020

ENYCH Listed Event

Foundations in Hemp Production

November 9, 2020
November 12, 2020
November 16, 2020
November 19, 2020
November 23, 2020
November 30, 2020
December 3, 2020
December 7, 2020
December 10, 2020
December 14, 2020
December 17, 2020
December 21, 2020

5:00pm - 6:00pm
Virtual Classes

This 12-session virtual, live series will  utilize experts and researchers in the area of agronomy, plant breeding, entomology, plant pathology and  business management.  Production topics will be tailored for Northeast/Atlantic area for indoor & field growers with special attention to NY market and legal conditions.

Annual LOF Advisory Committee Meeting

November 9, 2020
9:30am-3:30pm
Online, via Zoom

Annual LOF Advisory Committee Meeting

Please join us (virtually) for our annual winter advisory meeting
where you can spend time with the team reviewing the team's
educational programs and most importantly providing us
feedback. Click "view details" for more details and pre-registration link.

ENYCH Listed Event

Biochar Webinar Series

November 10, 2020
November 12, 2020
November 17, 2020
November 19, 2020

This webinar series will provide an introduction to biochar and review some current advances in biochar science.

 The first two webinars in this series, on November 10 & 12, will be especially helpful to those who might be interested in producing their own biochar.

ENYCH Listed Event

Fruit Advisory Meeting

November 10, 2020
12:30 - 2:30pm
Zoom webinar

Calling All tree fruit, grape, and berry growers:  We want your feedback!

You are invited to ENYCHP's Fruit Advisory Committee Meeting on November 10, 2020. In this meeting, we will discuss your priorities for research and extension programming so we can better serve your needs. Your input is VERY important to us and helps guide our efforts through long term research projects and more immediate program questions for this winter and coming 2021 production season workshops.

Managing Stone Fruit Bacterial Disease Problems Webinar

Event Offers DEC Credits

November 11, 2020
6pm - 8:30pm
Webinar

This webinar will address bacterial disease problems in stone fruit.  1.5 DEC credits will be available, please click view details to read requirements and register by November 6th.

IPM Forum: New Tools of IPM

November 13, 2020
1-2pm
Online Zoom Meeting

Join members of the NYS Department of Ag & Markets, NYS IPM Program, NYS IPM NEWA network, Fruit IPM, Community IPM & Cornell AgriTech for a review of IPM and the tools available to implement it.

ENYCH Listed Event

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

November 17, 2020 : 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. 

ENYCH Listed Event

Onboarding Seasonal Farm Employees - Get Organized for 2021!

November 17, 2020 : 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. 

ENYCH Listed Event

Onboarding Seasonal Farm Employees - Get Organized for 2021!

November 25, 2020 : Best Practices for Onboarding Seasonal Workers
8:30am-10:00am
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. 

December 2020

How to Obtain a Pesticide Applicator License

December 2, 2020
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.

ENYCH Listed Event

How to Obtain a Pesticide Applicator License

December 2, 2020
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.

ENYCH Listed Event

Foundations in Hemp Production

November 9, 2020
November 12, 2020
November 16, 2020
November 19, 2020
November 23, 2020
November 30, 2020
December 3, 2020
December 7, 2020
December 10, 2020
December 14, 2020
December 17, 2020
December 21, 2020

5:00pm - 6:00pm
Virtual Classes

This 12-session virtual, live series will  utilize experts and researchers in the area of agronomy, plant breeding, entomology, plant pathology and  business management.  Production topics will be tailored for Northeast/Atlantic area for indoor & field growers with special attention to NY market and legal conditions.

A decade of SWD: Lessons for management

December 8, 2020
Noon-1pm
Webinar

Please join the members of the Sustainable SWD Management team for a 1 hour webinar highlighting what we've learned about spotted-wing drosophila populations, crop risk, pesticide efficacy, biological control, cultural & behavioral controls, and how to use this information to improve management.

ENYCH Listed Event

Storage Crop Facility School

December 8, 2020
9:00am - 2:00pm
Online Zoom Meeting

Join us for this one-day storage focused event, where speakers from across the Northeast and Midwest will be presenting on challenges and updates surrounding vegetable storage! On December 8th we'll be focused on smaller-scale storage of mixed vegetables, and hear talks on storage construction and management, tactics for better storage, and disease control on a smaller scale. We'll hear presentations on funding opportunities, farm food safety considerations for storage, and grower opportunities with the NYS Farm to School program. 

ENYCH Listed Event

2020 Vegetable Variety Trial Highlights

December 9, 2020
10:00am - 11:30am
Online Zoom Meeting

2020 Vegetable Variety Trial Highlights

Do you want to see and hear about the results of several variety trials that the CCE ENYCHP Vegetables Specialists completed this year?

Be sure to join us on December 9, 2020 for an hour and a half review of beefsteak tomatoes, leeks, seedless watermelon, peas, Irish potatoes, and broccoli with special guest Sandy Menasha from CCE Suffolk County!

ENYCH Listed Event

Onboarding Seasonal Farm Employees - Get Organized for 2021!

December 14, 2020 : 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. 

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

Advisory Committee Meeting - Program Updates

February 26, 2026
Spencerport, NY

Join the Lake Ontario Fruit Team for programming updates and goals.  This meeting is your chance to shape the research priorities of our specialists and team. Your insights are vital to delivering the most valuable resources and support to the WNY apple industry.

2026 Eastern New York Fruit and Vegetable Conference

Event Offers DEC Credits

February 25 - February 26, 2026
Albany , NY

The Annual Eastern NY Fruit and Vegetable Conference is two days filled with informative sessions on Tree Fruit, Vegetables, Small Fruit, Grapes, Greenhouse and a special Food Safety Wash and Pack session!  While there you can also visit with more than 50 exhibitors!

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.

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

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

25 Feb - 2026 Tree Fruit Scouting Online Course: Week 1 - 4:30 - 6pm,  Online, Free, Register by February 18th!

26 Feb - Advisory Committee Meeting - Program Updates, Details to follow!

27 Feb - 2026 Virtual Orchard Meetup Series - 1:30 - 3pm, Online, Register Now!

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.