Resources
COVID-19 RESOURCES
Agricultural Support Organizations
USDA: https://www.usda.gov/
USDA (Farm Service Agency): https://www.fsa.usda.gov/
NYS Ag and Markets: https://agriculture.ny.gov/
Empire State Development: https://esd.ny.gov/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus Updates
Events are changing rapidly with the coronavirus. Some of the information presented in this newsletter is subject to change. For up-to-date developments at the federal level, check the CDC website frequently.
Cornell Small Farms Resiliency Resources
Ideas on how to take care of yourself, your farm, and your local community. These resources offer support on the various aspects of farming during a crisis, with a focus on the current COVID-19 pandemic. The content was curated in partnership with educators, researchers and others. It is consistently updated as new information and resources are available.
https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/resources/farm-resilience/
Emerging Viral Pathogens Guidance for Antimicrobial Products
EPA has activated its Emerging Viral Pathogens Guidance for Antimicrobial Products in order to enable the use of certain EPA-registered disinfectant products against COVID-19.
https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/emerging-viral-pathogen-guidance-antimicrobial-pesticides
Employment and Agricultural Workforce Questions
The Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development team has assembled many resources to help you protect your workforce, your business, and your markets during the COVID-19 pandemic. Find H2A updates and more!
http://agworkforce.cals.cornell.edu/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/
Farm Stress Management
Resources for managing and warning signs of stress during these uncertain times.
Stress Management in Unprecedented Times
Managing Financial Stress on the Farm
https://www.nyfarmnet.org/farm-stress
Farmers' Market Federation of New York
Provides helpful information as NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets as this continues to develop.
https://www.facebook.com/FMFNY/
Food Production, Processing and Safety Questions
Find answers to questions around the risks associated with food production and to your employees to ensure that a safe and robust food supply is maintained for the public. You can find useful links to expert resources to help address your specific questions. Resources are updated frequently as the situation changes and new information becomes available.
https://instituteforfoodsafety.cornell.edu/coronavirus-covid-19/
FDA Food Safety and Coronavirus Questions & Answers.
Contains resources available to industry members and consumers on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and food safety.
General Questions and Updates: NY Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN)
Find the latest updates on coronavirus impacts in New York. This website is a one-stop source for links to resources for ag, workforce, food industry, food safety, dairy industry, horticulture, H-2A, family, animal care, business relief, and social distancing.
Labor Concerns
Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development: https://agworkforce.cals.cornell.edu/
NY Farm Bureau: https://www.nyfb.org/
NY Department of Labor: https://www.labor.ny.gov/home/
Mental Health & Health Resources
NY FarmNet: https://www.nyfarmnet.org/
NY FarmNet Hotline : 1-800-547-3276 (24 hr service)
New York State Department of Health: https://www.health.ny.gov/
New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH): https://www.nycamh.org/
Farm Partners (part of Bassett Health Care system and NYCAMH): 1-800-343-7527
NYS Agricultural Mediation Program: https://www.nysamp.com/
Prevent Worker Exposure to Coronavirus (OSHA): https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3989.pdf
Center for Disease Control COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
New York State Department of Heath Novel Coronavirus
For the latest news at the New York State level, including Governor Cuomo's most recent executive actions for citizens, employees, and employers, check the New York State Department of Health Coronavirus website frequently.
https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home
Protecting Yourself & Loved Ones Financially from COVID-19
The Consumer Financial Protection Board has information ranging from what to do if you have trouble paying your bills, are facing income loss, or have a problem with a financial service.
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/coronavirus/
Small Business Administration Economic Industry Disaster Loans:
Eligible small businesses may now apply for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) online at: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela Businesses can take advantage of free assistance offered by SBA's network of Resource Partners for help with preparing their loan applications. They may visit the link below assistance to find local help. The NYS Small Business Development Center network recommends submitting a request for assistance online at http://nyssbdc.org/appointment.html
https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance
Webinar on Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting in the COVID-19 Era
The webinar recording and presentation are now available on the PSA website from Monday's call titled "Setting the Record Straight on Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting in the COVID-19 Era and Beyond". A special thanks to our speaker Dr. Ruth Petran, Senior Corporate Scientist - Food Safety and Public Health at Ecolab, for her informative presentation and helpful Q&A session.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=749ryrVGwDI&feature=youtu.be
GENERAL
Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE)
The Cornell Cooperative Extension website provides an overview of CCE programs across New York State.
Cornell Fruit
Cornell University fruit site including berry news.
Cornell Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs)
Information about the National GAPs Program and upcoming GAPs events.
https://cals.cornell.edu/national-good-agricultural-practices-program
EPA - WPS Resource
Pesticide Worker Protection Standard "How to Comply" Manual.
https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/pesticide-worker-protection-standard-how-comply-manual
New York Berry News
New York Berry News is a monthly online publication that provides a statewide perspective on the production of berry crops in New York.
http://blogs.cornell.edu/fruit/category/berry-news/
New York Fruit Quarterly
The New York Fruit Quarterly is printed 4 times a year providing fruit and technology updates.
https://nyshs.org/fruit-quarterly/
Pollinator Network at Cornell
Provides pfds of the following publications.
- Working together to protect bees
- Wild pollinators of eastern apple orchards
- A pesticide decision-making guide to protect pollinators in tree fruit orchards
- A pesticide decision-making guide to protect pollinators in landscape, ornamental, and turf management
- Pollination Services Contract
https://pollinator.cals.cornell.edu/resources/grower-resources/
Scaffold Fruit Journal
Scaffolds Fruit Journal archived journals provided weekly update on pest management and crop development.
https://ecommons.cornell.edu/handle/1813/41369
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.
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scaffolds
BUSINESS
Cornell Small Farms Program
https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/
LOF Enrollment Form
In Region Enrollment Forms are available at https://lof.cce.cornell.edu/enrollment.php
Small Farms Online Courses
Trac Software
Keep records up-to-date, generate reports, analyze pest management strategies and improve IPM practice with Trac software.
https://store.ctl.cornell.edu/collections/frontpage
Tree Fruit Business Blog
Provides tree fruit business resources.
https://fruit.cornell.edu/business-management/
GUIDELINES
Cornell Pest Management Guidelines
Cornell Pest Management Guidelines for Commercial Tree Fruit & Berry Crops can be purchased here.
https://store.cornell.edu/c-875-pmep-guidelines.aspx
Organic Production Guides
Organic Integrated Pest Management for 8 vegetable groups, tree & small fruit, and grapes, and more
https://hdl.handle.net/1813/41246
GREENHOUSE & TUNNELS
Cornell University High Tunnel
This site provides growers with more information from Cornell's high tunnel team: types of structures, business and marketing resources, and crops that grow particularly well in the tunnel environment.
http://hightunnels.cals.cornell.edu/
SARE Season Extension Topic Room
A section of the Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) website, the season extension topic room provides nationwide research in the areas of variety trials, fertility management, pest management, water management, energy, and marketing and economics.
http://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/Topic-Rooms/Season-Extension-Topic-Room
PESTS
Bureau of Pest Management - Information Portal
This the the link to access the the NYDEC registered pesticide labels.
https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/nyspad/products?0
Network for Environment & Weather Awareness (NEWA)
Awareness for disease, insect and weather forecasts.
The following links provide information and learning resources for NEWANEWA apple tools - learning resourcesNEWA Blog - updatesNEWA Get Help - FAQs and weather station resources
NYS IPM Program
Developing sustainable ways to manage pests and help people to use methods that minimize environmental, health, and economic risks.
https://cals.cornell.edu/new-york-state-integrated-pest-management
Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP)
Develop and distribute pesticide training materials, provide workshops, presentation and online certification/re-certification course calendar to occupational users of pesticides, produce the Cornell Crop and Pest Management Guidelines series
Plum Pox Virus Eradication Program
NYS Ag & Markets Annual Reports - check Agriculture & Markets Annual Reports for yearly updates on Plum Pox Virus Survey results
https://agriculture.ny.gov/plant-industry/plum-pox-virus
SOIL HEALTH
Cornell Soil Health
Information to help you return your soil to a healthy state or keep an already good soil productive.
http://soilhealth.cals.cornell.edu
The Cornell Nutrient Analysis Laboratory
Provide accurate and cost effective analysis of soil (Cornell Soil Health Test, Illinois Soil Nutrient Test, other specialized soil tests), plant and water samples.
Apples
Apricots
Asian Pears
Blueberries
Cherries
Currants
Gooseberries
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Plums
Raspberries / Blackberries
Strawberries
Unusual Fruit
Upcoming Events
2026 Wayne County - Certified Pesticide Applicator License Exam
April 2, 2026
Newark, NY
A Certification Exam will be administered on April 2nd by the DEC to Qualified Applicants.
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.