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

Impact In New York

The pdfs below provide updates on the different projects and educational events provided by the LOF team and the impacts that are making fruit growers in the region.




Lake Ontario Fruit Program 2025 Annual Report

We look back on the successful educational events and projects.  Focused on the WNY Fruit Growers Tour, Honeycrisp production and storage, acidity of Honeycrisp, pest monitoring, and herbicide timing trials.

view complete impact (PDF; 24191 KB)

Quarterly Report Oct - Dec 2025

Favorable weather enabled a smooth harvest, though summer drought reduced fruit size, and overall yield will likely be 1-3 million bushels short of the forecast. Updates included the opening of the Business Management position and progress on meetings and research projects.

view complete impact (PDF; 736 KB)

Quarterly Report Jul-Sep 2025

3rd Quarter program events and project updates.

view complete impact (PDF; 2405 KB)

Quarterly Report Apr-Jun 2025

Program event & project updates.  

view complete impact (PDF; 2139 KB)

Quarterly Report Jan-Mar 2025

Program event & project updates.  

view complete impact (PDF; 1730 KB)

Lake Ontario Fruit Program 2024 Annual Report

Review of events, projects, and programs in 2024.  

view complete impact (PDF; 6046 KB)

Quarterly Report Oct-Dec 2024

Project and program updates through the peak of harvest into winter.

view complete impact (PDF; 1295 KB)

Quarterly Report Jul-Sep 2024

Updates on summer tour events, projects and the beginning of harvest.

view complete impact (PDF; 2028 KB)

Quarterly Report Apr-Jun 2024

Updates on current research projects and meetings, focused on AI in the orchard for improved crop load management, irrigation, frost protection, and disease control in the orchard.

view complete impact (PDF; 2994 KB)

Quaterly Report Jan-Mar 2024

Updates on Lake Ontario Fruit Program educational events, & research projects.  Details on the 2nd Annual CCE Winter Fruit Conference, continued research on Precision Crop Load Management and damage caused by unexpected cold events.

view complete impact (PDF; 1713 KB)

Lake Ontario Fruit Program 2023 Annual Report

Program highlights from 2023.

view complete impact (PDF; 8074 KB)

Quarterly Report Oct-Dec 2023

Updates on projects and fall meetings, wrapping up the 4th quarter of  2023.

view complete impact (PDF; 1494 KB)

Quarterly Report Jul-Sep 2023

Updates on educational events and research projects.

view complete impact (PDF; 1694 KB)

Quarterly Report Apr-Jun 2023

Recent LOF Program project and event updates.

view complete impact (PDF; 1302 KB)

Quarterly Report Jan-Mar 2023

Details on the new winter conference format and updates on current projects.

view complete impact (PDF; 1785 KB)

Quarterly Report Oct-Dec 2022

Team and programing updates.

view complete impact (PDF; 771 KB)

Lake Ontario Fruit Program 2022 Annual Report

A review of team news, projects, and programing that occured in 2022.

view complete impact (PDF; 5541 KB)

Quarterly Report Jul-Sep 2022

Team updates including summer tours, research projects, and personnel.

view complete impact (PDF; 1224 KB)

Quarterly Report Jan-Mar 2022

Updates on projects and events.

view complete impact (PDF; 1223 KB)

Quarterly Report Apr-Jun 2022

Updates on the LOF team, projects, and growing season.

view complete impact (PDF; 3148 KB)

Quarterly Report Oct-Dec 2021

Updates on project and events.

view complete impact (PDF; 1285 KB)

Quarterly Report Jul-Sep 2021

Updates on projects, programs, and apple harvest.

view complete impact (PDF; 1277 KB)

Quarterly Report Apr-Jun 2021

Updates on projects and events.

view complete impact (PDF; 1201 KB)

Quarterly Report Jan-Mar 2021

Review of specialists projects and activities during the first quarter of 2021.

view complete impact (PDF; 1401 KB)

Lake Ontario Fruit Program 2020 Annual Report

Highlights in programming over 2020.

view complete impact (PDF; 6227 KB)

Quarterly Report Oct-Dec 2020

Updates on project and grower education activities.

view complete impact (PDF; 2459 KB)

Quarterly Report Jul-Sep 2020

Covers updates through Harvest Activities.

view complete impact (PDF; 1580 KB)

Quarterly Report Apr-Jun 2020

Updates of continued field & grower education activities through COVID-19

view complete impact (PDF; 2220 KB)

Quarterly Report Jan - Mar 2020

Updates on projects, meetings, and team news.

view complete impact (PDF; 1208 KB)

Lake Ontario Fruit Program 2019 Annual Report

Highlights in programming over 2019 include team news, winter meetings for growers and industry members, training and classes for workers and the 2018  fruit farm business summary.

view complete impact (PDF; 10858 KB)

Quarterly Report Oct - Dec 2019

Updates on projects, meeting, workshops, and classes provided by the Lake Ontario Fruit Program.

view complete impact (PDF; 753 KB)

Quarterly Report Jul - Sep 2019

Updates on projects, Summer Fruit Tours & team news of our new team member, IPM Specialist Janet Van Zoeren.  

view complete impact (PDF; 2039 KB)

Quarterly Report Apr-Jun 2019

Updates on projects, meetings, and team news.

view complete impact (PDF; 1022 KB)

Quarterly Report Jan-Mar 2019

Updates on Lake Ontario Fruit Program meetings, education events, publications, research projects.

view complete impact (PDF; 849 KB)

Lake Ontario Fruit Program 2018 Annual Report

Highlights in programming over 2018 include Summer Fruit Tours in English & Spanish, Hail Netting effects on fruit quality & pest management, and team news.

view complete impact (PDF; 3311 KB)

Quaterly Report Oct-Dec 2018

Updates on Lake Ontario Fruit Program educational events, & research projects.

view complete impact (PDF; 1737 KB)

Quarterly Report Jul-Sep 2018

Updates on Lake Ontario Fruit Program educational events, & research projects

view complete impact (PDF; 378 KB)

Quarterly Report Apr-Jun 2018

Updates on Lake Ontario Fruit Program educational events, & research projects.

view complete impact (PDF; 454 KB)

Quarterly Report Jan-Mar 2018

Updates on Lake Ontario Fruit Program team news, educational events, & research projects.

view complete impact (PDF; 378 KB)

Lake Ontario Fruit Program 2017 Annual Report

Highlights in programming over 2017 include Winter Fruit School for Spanish-speaking Farmers and Workers, focus on Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, survey of apple trees for viruses, and mechanical blossom thinning and team news.

view complete impact (PDF; 7960 KB)

Quarterly Report Oct-Dec 2017

Updates on Lake Ontario Fruit Program educational events & research projects.

view complete impact (PDF; 341 KB)

Quarterly Report Jul-Sep 2017

Updates on Lake Ontario Fruit Program educational events & research projects.

view complete impact (PDF; 1398 KB)

Quarterly Report Apr-Jun 2017

Updates on Lake Ontario Fruit Program educational events & research projects.

view complete impact (PDF; 3232 KB)

Quarterly Report Jan-Mar 2017

Updates on Lake Ontario Fruit Program educational events, research projects, publications, and business consultations.

view complete impact (PDF; 1568 KB)

Quarterly Report Jan-Mar 2016

Updates on Lake Ontario Fruit Program education events and research projects.

view complete impact (PDF; 248 KB)

Quarterly Report Apr-Jun 2016

Updates on Lake Ontario Fruit Program education events and research projects.

view complete impact (PDF; 188 KB)

Quarterly Report Jul-Aug 2016

Updates on Lake Ontario Fruit Program education events and research projects.

view complete impact (PDF; 392 KB)

Lake Ontario Fruit Program 2016 Annual Report

Highlights in programming over 2016 include Winter Fruit School for Spanish-speaking Farmers and Workers, focus on black stem borer, stress related problems in apples, harvest platform, and Honeycrisp Quality and team news of CCE-LOF Program's long dedicated Deborah Breth's retirement and the gain of Tess Grasswitz as IPM specialist.

view complete impact (PDF; 2611 KB)

Lake Ontario Fruit Program 2015 Review

Highlights in programming over 2015 with projects including a Summer Fruit Tour for Spanish-speaking Farmers and Workers, focus on invasive fruit pests, harvest maturity program cooperation with Crunch Time Apple Growers, and new state wide crop estimate efforts.

view complete impact (PDF; 3750 KB)

2014 Year in Review for CCE-LOF

This is a review of 2014 highlights in programming across many issue for the commercial fruit industry.
Highlights include CCE-LOF response to new pests, deer damage, mechanization of horticultural practices, increasing farm employees' skills, harvest maturity program impacts, list of active grants, and a general program description.

view complete impact (PDF; 1610 KB)

Quarterly Report Apr-Jun 2013

Updates on Lake Ontario Fruit Program education events and research projects.

view complete impact (PDF; 374 KB)

Quarterly Report Jul-Sep 2013

Updates on LOF Program educational event, research projects, and new pest detection through July to September of 2013.

view complete impact (PDF; 366 KB)

Quarterly Report Jan-Mar 2013

Review of winter educational opportunities for the fruit industry including the Empire State Producers EXPO, Becker Forum, LOF Winter School, Eastern Apple Precision Orchard Management Summit, Food Safety GAPS, Weed Management, and Pruning Demos.

view complete impact (PDF; 245 KB)

Extension Programs Respond To 2012 Seasonal Extrem

The abnormally high temperatures March 12-22, 2012, resulted in accelerated bud development in tree fruit crops. We recorded green tip in McIntosh on March 17-19 across the Lake Ontario Fruit region, initiating the beginning of the growing season 3-4 weeks ahead of normal. Freezing temperatures in the low 20�s on March 27 and 31 resulted in bud damage in apples, pears, peaches, and cherries, as well as apricots and plums in full bloom. The bloom on apples opened in mid-April and freezing low temperatures dipped into the low 20�s the end of April resulting in more blossom loss in apples, peaches, pears, plums, and cherries. There was also a serious drought in June through July, further stressing grower ability to produce quality fruit and keep trees healthy for future seasons. Growers needed guidance on all aspects of crop and business management under the extreme weather conditions (not experienced since 1945).

NY produced 720 million pounds of apples in 2012, down 41% from 2011; 2.7 million pounds of tart cherries, down 54%; 300 tons of sweet cherries, down 57% worth $1.07 million down from $2.11 million; 2,600 tons of peaches, down 62%, worth at $4.02 million, is down 52 percent; and 3,100 tons of pears, down 74% valued at $2.35 million, down 66 percent. The net loss of fruit value in tree fruit and berries in 2012 was $71M.

CCE-LOF took several steps to learn from the experience, promote networking with growers and support systems, helped make decisions on crop production practices essential with a light crop. 

view complete impact (PDF; 292 KB)

2012 Year in Review for CCE-LOF

This is a review of 2012 highlights in programming across many issue for the commercial fruit industry.
Highlights include CCE-LOF response to the freeze, the economic picture of the fruit industry, mechanization  of horticultural practices,  weed management, new varieties, and a general program description. 

view complete impact (PDF; 1184 KB)

Weed Control In New High-Density Apple Orchards

This is a summary of results of weed control project funded by NESARE to measure the impact of weed control on profitability in establishing high density apple orchards. 

view complete impact (PDF; 266 KB)

CCE-LOF Responds To 2012 Seasonal Extremes

The abnormally high temperatures March 12-22, 2012, resulted in accelerated bud
development in tree fruit crops. We recorded green tip in McIntosh on March 17-19 across
the Lake Ontario Fruit region, initiating the beginning of the growing season 3-4 weeks
ahead of normal. Freezing temperatures in the low 20’s on March 27 and 31 resulted in
bud damage in apples, pears, peaches, and cherries, as well as apricots and plums in full
bloom. The bloom on apples opened in mid-April and freezing low temperatures dipped
into the low 20’s the end of April resulting in more blossom loss in apples, peaches, pears,
plums, and cherries. There was also a serious drought in June through July, further
stressing grower ability to produce quality fruit and keep trees healthy for future seasons.
Growers needed guidance on all aspects of crop and business management under the
extreme weather conditions (not experienced since 1945).

view complete impact (PDF; 292 KB)

Improving Branching in Nursery Trees.

Maxcel, a cytokinin plant growth regulator, is already labeled for several uses on apples, but it is not registered for chemical branching of nursery apple trees in NY or elsewhere in the US. CCE Lake Ontario Fruit Program conducted research to determine the effect of Tiberon and Maxcel on branching of apple nursery trees under NY growing conditions.

view complete impact (PDF; 9 KB)

Economic Impact of Mating Disruption

CCE-LOF, funded by NE Center for Risk Management Education, demonstrated the use of mating disruption pheromones for control of codling moth and oriental fruit moth for 3 seasons.  This report is a summary of the results and how this practice impacts on profitability in apple production. 

view complete impact (PDF; 431 KB)

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
view calendar of events

Upcoming Events

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.

Cornell Fruit Field Day

July 30, 2026
Geneva, NY

Join Cornell researchers in Geneva for Fruit Field Day, returning after 10 years, to tour research plots, learn from experts—including Terence Robinson with 40+ years in tree fruit research—and explore the latest orchard technologies and practices.

Announcements

2026 NY Apple Pathology Season: Apple Scab Updates

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


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/


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/

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 Respirator Fit Testing!

2026 Respirator Fit Testing Opportunities:

To help ensure a comfortable and well-coordinated clinic for all participants, event time and location details will be provided at the time of registration.

April 2026 - Wayne County - is full for additional testing opportunities contact URMC or NYCAMH

May 2026 - Orleans County - Registration Open Now - https://www.nycamh.org/services/training/respirator-fit-testing/



Clean Sweep NY

The Spring 2026 collection will take place from May 5-8, 2026, in Western, New York. For more information about CleanSweepNY or to request a registration form for the Spring 2026 collection, please email (cleansweep@dec.ny.gov) or call 518-225-8146.

Tuesday, May 5 - Depew (Erie County)
Wednesday, May 6 - Lockport (Niagara County)
Thursday, May 7 - Spencerport (Monroe County)
Friday, May 8 - Waterloo (Seneca County)

More information about CleanSweepNY can be found at https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/pesticides/special-initiatives


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.

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

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 & Materials


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.