Events - month view
earlier monthsNovember 2016
CRAVE Conference: Cornell Recent Advances in Viticulture and Enology
November 2, 2016
8:30am-3:30pm
Setting Rent for Farmland
November 10, 2016
6:00-8:00
Kingston, NY
Farm to Institution Market Readiness
November 17, 2016
9:00am - 3:00pm
Ballston Spa, NY
- Learn how to build successful relationships with institutional buyers and distributors
- Understand the business functions that need to be in place on your farm
- Take home a MarketReady binder of tips, checklists, form samples, resources and more
- Be eligible for follow-up assistance to connect with local buyers.
Labor Roadshow - Helping Agriculture Employers Stay Current on Employment Rules and Best Practices
November 15, 2016 : Elba Fireman's Rec Hall
November 16, 2016 : Hilton Garden Inn Auburn
November 17, 2016 : Holiday Inn Saratoga
November 18, 2016 : Ramada Watertown
Presenters will include members of the Agricultural Workforce Development Council and leading experts on labor laws. 5 key areas that will be addressed are:
1. Basic rules & best practices for payroll, hours, hiring and termination
2. Workplace polices
3. Housing
4. Healthy & Safety
5. Documenting your policies, actions, and outcomes.
Cost: $45/person or $40/person for 2 or more from a farm. Please be prepared to pay cash/check at the door. Check in and payment: 9:30AM-9:50AM
Please preregister as walk-ins may not be accommodated due to expected high volume of attendance.
For more information and registration details see Labor Roadshow Details pdf. below.
December 2016
Growing Table Grapes for Profit Workshop
December 1, 2016
Thursday 9:00am - 4:00pm
Voorheesville, NY
Come and learn about the ins and outs of growing table grapes in New York. This session will cover subjects such as table grape biology, trellis construction, vineyard management, as well as marketing and planning for your new enterprise. Topics will be presented by specialists from CCE ENYCHP, New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, Northeastern Vine Supply, and Hudson Valley growers.
If you have questions, please contact Laura McDermott at lgm4@cornell.edu - 518-791-5038 or Abby Henderson aef225@cornell.edu - 518-746-2553
Cut Flower Conference: First Annual Capital Region and Hudson Valley
December 6, 2016
8:30am- 4:00pm
Rensselaerville, NY
By participating in this conference, you will be able to:
-Implement new insect and disease pest management strategies
-Understand the role of soil health in plant health
-Consider the long-term with crop rotations
-Apply business management tools and expand your market
To register online: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/cutflowerconf_201
Grape Growers' Potluck
December 7, 2016
5:30pm
West Park, NY
This event is free, but please sign up in advance. Please contact Jim O'Connell at 845-943-9814 or email him at jmo98@cornell.edu to register. Include your name and your farm's name, as well as what dish you will bring (it's a pot luck after all).
Free Money? - Finding the right grants, cost-share programs and low-interest loan programs
December 15, 2016 : Ulster County
December 15, 2016 : Dutchess County
December 16, 2016 : Clinton County
December 16, 2016 : Washington County
December 14, 2016 : Schoharie County
The Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program is offering a 2-hour program to help farmers learn about current grant and financial incentive programs for their farm business and how to assess whether a program is a good fit.
1. No free lunches! What makes a good grant project - how to assess if a grant program is a good fit for your farm business?
2. Understanding common grant program terminology and requirements - knowing what will be required before you apply!
3. What programs are available now, and where do you look for programs in the future? Some of the programs to be covered include:
-NYS Beginning Farmer Grant (due January)
-USDA Value Added Producer Grant
-NYS Consolidated Funding Application
-NRCS EQIP Cost Share Program
-USDA REAP Energy Efficiency
-NYS and USDA loans for farmworker housing
-USDA SBIR
4. Where can you get help?
Elizabeth Higgins is the Ag Business Management Extension Specialist for the Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program. She has over 15 years' experience grant writing and project management and has assisted growers in successfully applying for USDA and NYS grants and has served on many USDA grant review panels.
Cover Crops Grower Discussion
December 14, 2016
6:30pm-8:00pm
Keeseville, NY
January 2017
What is my job? Hiring, training and evaluating employees effectively
January 10, 2017
5-8 pm
Oriskany, 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.
Grape Growers' Potluck
January 11, 2017
5:30pm
Old Chatham, NY
Farm Business Succession Retreat: Part One
January 13 - January 14, 2017
10:00am- 2:00pm
Families across the country dream of the day the farm will pass to the next generation. In 2008, the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) reported that 70% of U.S. farmland would change hands by 2028. Without adequate succession planning, CSREES reports that farms are more likely to go out of business, be absorbed by larger neighboring farms, or be converted for non-farm use.
Don't let that happen to your dream! Succession planning can help ensure the dream of having the farm business transfer to the next generation will become reality. To help you move forward, CCE Ulster County, The Eastern NY Commercial Hort. Program and the Capital Area Agriculture and Horticulture Program are sponsoring two days of working facilitated time for your family or business partners to build a strong business succession strategy.
Master Your Farm Taxes
January 14, 2017
10am-12pm, 12:30pm- 2:00
Millbrook, NY
2017 Empire State Producers Expo
January 16, 2017 : 2017 Becker Forum
2017 Empire State Producers Expo
January 17, 2017 - January 19, 2017
2017 Pesticide Training and Recertification Series
January 30 - February 27, 2017
7pm - 9:30pm, Exam 27 Feb - 6:30pm - 11pm
Canadaigua, NY
Cost: $175.00 for certification which includes the training manuals and all 4 classes. Does not include the $100.00 exam fee. Recertification is $25.00 per class.
Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course
January 31, 2017
8:30am -4:30pm
Beekmantown, NY
Topics to be covered include, 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
In addition to learning about produce safety best practices, key parts of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements are outlined within each module. There will be time for questions and discussion, so participants should come prepared to share their experiences and produce safety questions.
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.