Warning to Growers: Response Time to PERB Shortened
It is happening. Just this past week, another New York State fruit farm received notice from the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) stating that dues authorization cards have been submitted to them by the
UFW union. If PERB receives enough signed cards filed by a union on behalf of the employees of a particular employer, notice is sent to the employer by certified mail. From the date the certified mail notice is signed
for, the employer only has 8 calendar days to respond. If you do not respond in that short time window, all ability to challenge the union is lost. Make sure if certified mail arrives at a farm office or the home of one of the
owners, is opened right away and dealt with. 8 days will go by very fast. You need to immediately get a lawyer. This is not a task for your local real-estate or business lawyer. There are only a few law firms in the country
that have experience in handling this and I would be glad to recommend a few if you do receive a notice from PERB. PLEASE. Re read this notice and share it with all owners, managers and office staff. Everyone needs
to know that a certified mail notice from PERB needs to be handled as soon as it is received.
Jim Bittner
Exective Director
NYS Horticultural Society.
Jim@bittnerfarm
716 778 7330
Apples
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Asian Pears
Blueberries
Cherries
Currants
Gooseberries
Nectarines
Peaches
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Plums
Raspberries / Blackberries
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Unusual Fruit
Upcoming Events
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.
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 Dr. Terence Robinson with 40+ years in tree fruit research—and explore the latest orchard technologies and practices.