Organic
Western New York locals named 2025 Good Fruit Growers of the Year
WNY locals named 2025 Good Fruit Growers of the Year: The DeMarrees of Williamson, New York DeMarree Fruit Farm.
Click read details for link to full article.
NEWA weather stations moving to a new dashboard!
NEWA weather stations purchased through Rainwise (now owned by KestrelMet) are moving to a new dashboard!
Anyone with a weather station that was purchased through Rainwise will likely have received an email or message from the company to let them know that 'Rainwise.net Sunsets January 1, 2026'.
This will not affect your ability to connect your weather station to the NEWA network.
NYCAMH Fit Testing Requirements & Registration Details
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.
2025 Western New York Fruit Conference Presentations
Lake Ontario Fruit Webinar Recording & Video Links
LOF Fruit Bites
See details to check out quick "how to" videos on a variety of fruit and orchard topics.
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
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 Virtual Orchard Meetup Series
February 27, 2026 : Session 1
The Impacts of Weather on Pome Fruit Quality and Storability: Lessons from 2025
June 11, 2026 : Session 2
Details to follow.
June 18, 2026
Details to follow.
June 25, 2026 : Session 4
Details to follow.
