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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  • Issues of Fruit Newletters
  • Helpful Diagnostic Tool:
      What's wrong with my crop?

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Events - month view

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November 2016

CRAVE Conference: Cornell Recent Advances in Viticulture and Enology

November 2, 2016
8:30am-3:30pm

CRAVE Conference: Cornell Recent Advances in Viticulture and Enology
The annual CRAVE (Cornell Recent Advances in Viticulture and Enology) conference features 15 minute presentations by Cornell faculty, extension associates, and graduate students on current extension and research topics of their choice. For this year's conference, we would like to invite you to log on for as little or as much time as you want to hear cutting-edge presentations about viticulture, enology, economics and more. Find out what Cornell Research and Extension faculty and staff have been up to this past year.

Setting Rent for Farmland

November 10, 2016
6:00-8:00
Kingston, NY

Setting Rent for Farmland
CCE Ulster County will host a workshop covering the different tools and methods for setting and evaluating farmland rental rates. Elizabeth Higgins, Ag Business Management Specialist for the Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture Program, will show different tools that can be used to compare properties to help you set a reasonable rental rate for farmland. Rental rates from both the perspective of the landowner and the renter will also be covered.

Farm to Institution Market Readiness

November 17, 2016
9:00am - 3:00pm
Ballston Spa, NY

Farm to Institution Market Readiness
Interested in taking advantage of growing demand for New York foods in schools, colleges, hospitals, child care and senior meal centers?

  • 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

This full day program, presented by The Agriculture Workforce Development Council, is for farm owners and managers to gain tools and information to help their farm business attract and retain skilled workers.
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

Growing Table Grapes for Profit Workshop

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

Cut Flower Conference: First Annual Capital Region and Hudson Valley

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

Grape Growers' Potluck
Join Jim O'Connell, Sr. Resource Educator- Grapes and Small Fruits, for this first potluck dinner in a winter series. The guest speaker for the event will be Tim Lampasona, Research Technician in the Entomology Lab at the Hudson Valley Research Lab in Highland, NY. He talk about insect pests in grapes with a focus on spotted wing Drosophila, and if time allows, spotted lantern fly, an invasive that is currently in Pennsylvania.

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

Ulster 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

Cover Crops Grower Discussion
Join Amy Ivy for an informal grower discussion about fitting cover crops into vegetable rotations in the Northern Part of our region.

January 2017

What is my job? Hiring, training and evaluating employees effectively

January 10, 2017
5-8 pm
Oriskany, NY

What is my job?  Hiring, training and evaluating employees effectively

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

Grape Growers' Potluck
Please join us for a series of educational potluck dinners over the winter and into early spring. Jim O'Connell and Anna Wallis are reaching out to growers, trying to get to know them in a less formal setting. Jim and Anna are regional fruit educators with Cornell Cooperative Extension's (CCE) Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program (ENYCHP).


Farm Business Succession Retreat: Part One

January 13 - January 14, 2017
10:00am- 2:00pm

Farm Business Succession Retreat: Part One
Save the Date! "Farm Business Succession Retreat - Where are you now, where are you going and how will you get there?"

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

Presented by Grow NYC's FARMroots technical assistance program, this program will feature three tax professionals with decades of experience serving farm families and businesses.  Two classes will be offered- Income Tax Master Class & Payroll Taxes Workshop

2017 Empire State Producers Expo

January 16, 2017 : 2017 Becker Forum

2017 Empire State Producers Expo
January 17, 2017 - January 19, 2017

More information can be found at https://nysvga.org/expo/information/, the Expo program and Online Registration will be available by mid-November.

2017 Pesticide Training and Recertification Series

Event Offers DEC Credits

January 30 - February 27, 2017
7pm - 9:30pm, Exam 27 Feb - 6:30pm - 11pm
Canadaigua, NY

2017 Pesticide Training & Recertification Series in Ontario County
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

Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course

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.


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

Cornell and New York Cider Association's Hard Cider Tours (Attendees)

July 28 - July 29, 2026 : Cornell Research and Lab Testing Updates and New York Cider Association's Hard Cider Tours
Ithaca, NY



Online registration closed.  Want to know if there are still spots available?  Email or call/text Craig Kahlke at cjk37@cornell.edu, 585-735-5448.




Registration Error using FireFox Browser?

If you're experiencing a registration error while using Firefox, please use a different browser. If you don't have one installed, download one of the following and then copy and paste this link into the browser's address bar: https://lof.cce.cornell.edu/event.php?id=2233

  • Google Chrome: Download the official setup client directly via the official Google Chrome Download Page.
  • Microsoft Edge: Download the modern Chromium-based installer directly from the official Microsoft Edge Download Page

Join Cornell & the New York Cider Association for: 

July 28 (PM) Tours and Updates on Cornell Research and Lab Testing at both Cornell Orchards in Ithaca and Lansing. There is are snack options at South Hill Cidery (attendees pay)

July 29 (all Day) - Annual New York Cider Summer Tour at about 5 cideries, including lunch at Finger Lakes Cider House (included in registration) .  Also includes bus for the first 30 registrants.


There is a discounted hotel block at the Courtyard by Marriott Ithaca Airport/University for 169.00 USD - 179.00 USD per night 

 Last Day to Book : Sunday, July 12, 2026

Start Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2026

End Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Hotel(s) offering your special group rate: See Cornell and New York Cider Association's Hard Cider Tours details below for the hotel and registration links.

Book your group rate for New York Cider Association They must enter the code: NYCNYCA in the "corporate/promo" area of your Marriott Bonvoy App if guests are making reservations through that app


2026 Apple Socials

July 17, 2026 : Orleans County - Apple Social
Lyndonville, NY

Apple Socials Return for a Third Year, proudly sponsored by Valent and American Fruit Grower magazine.


July 29, 2026 : Wayne County - Apple Social
Williamson, NY

Please join us at this casual networking event for all apple industry folks from Western NY, proudly sponsored by Valent. 

Cornell Fruit Field Day

July 30, 2026
Geneva, NY

Online registration closed.  Want to know if there are still spots available?  Email or call/text Craig Kahlke at cjk37@cornell.edu, 585-735-5448.


Join Cornell researchers in Geneva for Fruit Field Day, returning after 10 years, to tour research plots, learn from experts—including Dr. Terence Robinson with 40+ years in tree fruit research—and explore the latest orchard technologies and practices. At the catered lunch, network with industry, and visit sponsor displays and equipment. Our keynote speaker is Commissioner of Agriculture Richard Ball. DEC credits available.

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

17 Jul - Orleans Apple Social - 5:30 - 9pm, Lyndonville, please RSVP

28-29 Jul -  Cornell and New York Cider Association's Hard Cider Tours - Ithaca Area

29 Jul - Wayne Apple Social - 6 - 9pm, Williamson, registration open

30 Jul - 2026  Cornell Fruit Field Day 

11-12 Aug - NASGA Summer Tour - Spokane, WA, registration open

19 Aug - 2026 Western NY Apple Storage Workshop- 1-4pm, Ogden, Register by 17 Aug





Registration Error using FireFox Browser?

Registration Error using FireFox Browser?

If you're experiencing a registration error while using Firefox, please use a different browser. If you don't have one installed, download one of the following and then copy and paste this link into the browser's address bar:
 Cornell Fruit Field Day - https://lof.cce.cornell.edu/event.php?id=2208

Google Chrome: Download the official setup client directly via the official Google Chrome Download Page.
Microsoft Edge: Download the modern Chromium-based installer directly from the official Microsoft Edge Download Page.


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 & Materials

2026 International Virtual Orchard Meetup Series Playlist Link


Cornell Statewide Pink Meeting Recording - https://youtu.be/cnQtklNa1i4


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:




SPARC Orchard Roundup Podcast

Check out the first SPARC Orchard Roundup episode. In less than 15 minutes you'll get a sense for what we are seeing across regions in terms of bud stage, flower bud phenology, return bloom, and bud survival. You'll also hear about how phenology varies north to south within each state, and some tips on what weather patterns this winter (past for some, still occurring for others) and spring contributed to what we are seeing.

Find and follow the SPARC Orchard Roundup podcast on your preferred platform. We are on Spotify, Apple, Podcast Index, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Listen Notes, and Player FM.

For links to more ways to listen and the full article visit https://treefruit.wsu.edu/article/whats-budding-across-the-country/

2026 NY Apple Pathology Season: Apple Scab Updates

Apple Scab 2026 Updates Text for news letters and videos:
https://blogs.cornell.edu/coxlab/


Cornell Crop and Pest Management Guidelines

Cornell Integrated Pest Management has announced a pause in Crop and Pest Management Guideline production for 2026 to allow time to restructure and modernize the program for the future.

The 2025 editions will remain available through the Cornell Store (print while supplies last; online versions available until 2027). https://www.cornellstore.com/books/cornell-cooperative-ext-pmep-guidelines?page=1

An exception is the 2026-2027 New York/New England Greenhouse/Herbaceous Ornamentals Guidelines, which will be published as planned.

Updates will be shared as progress continues.

2026 Beginning Farmer Competitive Grant Program

2026 Beginning Farmer Competitive Grant Program
$1.7 Million Available for New York Beginning Farmers
New York Farm Viability Institute is pleased to announce that the 2026 NYS Beginning Farmer Competitive Grant Program (BFCG) is now open as of March 16. The BFCG is a competitive funding opportunity administered in partnership with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. The program will provide 1.7 million to support beginning farmers in building financially sustainable, independent, commercial agricultural enterprises throughout New York State. RFP closes on June 14, 2026.
Additional details on the project including applicant eligibility, supported project activities, and upcoming informational webinars can be found here: 2026 Beginning Farmer Competitive Grant Program - NYFVI.ORG https://nyfvi.org/grant-programs/producer-grants/beginning-farmer/2026-bf/


NEWA weather stations moving to a new dashboard!

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



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.