Current Projects
2022 Potato Variety Trial Report
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Philia Farm Field Meeting Handout
Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
2019 Enrollment Packet
Edible Weeds from Farm to Market
Edible Weeds from Farm to Market is a Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) funded project researching the use and marketability of edible weeds as supplemental farm crops. A free resource guide will be developed for farmers on how (and why) to add edible weeds to their harvest lists. Many common weeds that growers battle with, such as purslane, lamb's quarters, and pigweed amaranth, are the very ones popping up on restaurant menus and at farmers' markets.
Conference Agenda
What do biofungicides add to vegetable disease management? Part 1 - Introducing
Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture

During the summer of 2018 Amara Dunn, the NYS IPM biological pest management specialist, worked with colleagues (Elizabeth Buck, Dr. Julie Kikkert, Dr. Margaret McGrath, Jud Reid, and Crystal Stewart) on a project funded by the New York Farm Viability Institute looking at the use of biofungicides (Remember what biofungicides are?) in vegetable disease management. Dr. Darcy Telenko (formerly of the Cornell Vegetable Program) helped plan the project before starting her new position at Purdue University, and Dr. Sarah Pethybridge provided valuable advice based on her extensive work with white mold (including control with biofungicides). BASF, Bayer, BioWorks, Certis, Dow, and Marrone BioInnovations provided product for the field trials.
The Scourge of Bitter Pit
Dan Donahue, Tree Fruit Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture

It's looking like a difficult storage year for Hudson Valley Honeycrisp Producers
Reports are starting to filter in of excessive Honeycrisp cullage out of storage this season. The predominant defect reported is bitter pit, a surprise to some following observations that this season's crop appeared relatively clean at harvest. Our ENYCHP tree fruit team is currently in the 3rd year of our comprehensive Honeycrisp/Bitter Pit survey study, and our results to date shed some light on how 2018 compares to '16 and '17.
Reduced Tillage in Organic Systems Field Day Program Handbook
Amy Ivy, Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Advancing Vegetable Production in NNY 2017
Amy Ivy, Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Fresh market vegetable production is on the rise throughout Northern NY. In past years Northern New York Agricultural Development Program-funded vegetable research has addressed various topics and issues related to growing vegetables at a profit, but new information, better methods, and new varieties continue to be developed and are of interest to regional growers.
In 2017, the project team focused on three areas of high tunnel vegetable production:
1) Increasing production and profitability of colored peppers in high tunnels
2) Extending last year's cherry tomato training and pruning trial, tracking labor and yield.
3) Assessing nitrogen availability in cold soils for late fall-winter spinach and its effect on
yield.
Supplemental Heat for Winter Greens Production: What's the Cost?
Ethan Grundberg, Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Winter high tunnel production has increased significantly in the region. However, there is serious disagreement among growers about the potential value and true costs of supplemental heating through the winter. A NE SARE Partnership Grant supported work to research the impact of forced air heating at 33 degrees and 40 degrees on nitrogen uptake, yield, and propane use over the winter: here are some initial results.
2018 Eastern New York Fruit & Vegetable Conference Tree Fruit Presentations

Presentations from the 2018 ENYCHP Eastern New York Fruit & Vegetable Conference held February 20th and 21st for the tree fruit sections.
NEWA Workshop Program Key Takeaways

ENYCHP hosted a NEWA training workshop in Voorheesville in April 2018. Here are some of the main takeaways from the training.
2018 Eastern New York Fruit & Vegetable Conference Small Fruit Presentations

Presentations from the 2018 ENYCHP Eastern New York Fruit & Vegetable Conference held February 20th and 21st for the small fruit section.
2018 Eastern New York Fruit & Vegetable Conference Vegetable Presentations

Presentations from the 2018 ENYCHP Eastern New York Fruit & Vegetable Conference held February 20th and 21st for the vegetable sections.
Growing Alliums for Storage & Long Term Sales Resource Guide
Winter Storage Keys to Success - Vegetable Crops

Key topics covered:
- Growing a healthy Crop and keeping it that way in storage
- Storage conditions
- Construction of coolers
- Controls and Thermostats
- Monitoring and more advanced controls
Cavallaro Farms ALM adult feeding on onion

Dagele Bros_Farms ALM adult feeding on onion

Fresh Meadow Farm_ALM adult feeding on leek plug_5.1.17

Harvest Queens Transplanted onion 5.11.17

Pawelski farms Transplanted onion 5.31.17.JPG

S&SO Chives 5.1.17.JPG

Sidoti Farm Transplanted Onion 5.12.17.JPG

Full Circus Farm Group
Anne Mills, Field Technician
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture

J&A Farm Group

Keiths Farm Group

Rusty Plough Farm Group

Sun Sprout Farm Group

Eastern NY Grape Industry Growth Prompts Marketing Initiatives,Specialist Hiring
Anne Mills, Field Technician
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture

Eastern New York grape and wine industry growth is sparking innovative marketing initiatives and the hiring of a new regional grape specialist.
Designing and Building Germination Chambers - A Case Study
Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture

A two year, NYSERDA funded project to examine the efficacy of different types of germination chambers has yielded two unique and effective designs for useful, cost-effective structures. The project also helped us understand what considerations each grower should take into account when deciding what type of chamber is rightfor him or her.
HVRL Vineyard Update
Anne Mills, Field Technician
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture

ViticulturalHorticulturalist
Cornell Hudson Valley Research Lab
2016 Conventional Potato Variety Trial Results
Anne Mills, Field Technician
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture

View this slideshow for user friendly data and photos from the conventional potato variety trial held in Schoharie County, NY.
2016 Carrot Variety Trial
Anne Mills, Field Technician
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture

What makes a great carrot? The Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture Programs carrot variety trial will help you find out! Check out this slideshow to learn about the carrot varieties we grew and see which ones would make the cut to grow on your farm.
2016 Beet Variety Trial
Anne Mills, Field Technician
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture

What makes a great beet? The Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture Programs beet variety trial will help you find out! Check out this slideshow to learn about the beet varieties we grew and see which ones would make the cut to grow on your farm.
Third Quarter Report
Abigail Henderson, Senior Administrative Assistant
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
2016 SWD Exclusion Study- SARE Project Report
Abigail Henderson, Senior Administrative Assistant
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture

The use of insect netting on existing bird netting support systems to exclude spotted-wing Drosophila from a mature small-scale commercial highbush blueberry planting
2015 CCE ENYCHP Pumpkin Variety Trial
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture

In 2015, the ENYCHP evaluated 20 pumpkin varieties including novelty, pie, medium and large Jack-O-Lantern types.
2015 Beet Variety Trial Photo Slideshow!
Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture

2015 Cucumber Variety Slideshow!
Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture

2015 Melon Variety Trial Photo Slideshow!
Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture

2015 Zucchini Variety Trial Slideshow!
Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture

Early Season Tomato Leaf Symptoms
Amy Ivy, Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
It’s always a good idea to pay close attention to all your crops in an effort to catch problems early on. Here are a few tomato leaf symptoms that may catch your eye in early summer.
Pruning Tomatoes
Amy Ivy, Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture

Pruning off the lower leaves of tomatoes will increase air circulation and discourage foliar diseases. Note the arrows in the photo to see which leaves and suckers to remove.
The Produce Pages, January 2014
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Garlic Post-Harvest Trial Year One Results
Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture

A condensed version of a poster presented at the Saugerties Garlic Festival is attached as a PDF. The preliminary results of a two year trial are detailed.


Upcoming Events
Cornell Winter Fruit Webinar Series 2025

January 17, 2025
January 31, 2025
February 14, 2025
February 28, 2025
March 14, 2025
: Cornell Winter Fruit Webinar Series 2025
Week 1: Digging Into Pruning and Soil Health
Week 2: Cider Apples - Mechanized Harvesting and Patulin Food Safety
Week 3: The Value of "Eco-Friendly" Marketing - OMRI, Red Tomato, EcoApple, NYS Grown and Certified
Week 4: Biopesticides and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) for Berries
Week 5: St. Peachtrick's Day - Stone Fruit Insect and Disease Management
Remote Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course
February 17 - February 18, 2025
REMOTE Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course
Monday, Feb. 17 and Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025
8 am - 12:30 PM
Held remotely via Zoom (online)
Registration: $10 per person, open to NY state participants only
Includes printed course manual ($60 value), certificate of course completion ($35 value) and online food safety resources.
All produce growers are encouraged to attend this course to learn more about food safety practices recommended for all farms. This course contains NEW information contained in the finalized Subpart E rule on agricultural water. The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in § 112.22(c) that requires 'At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.' If you've already earned your PSA certificate, retaking this course is a great way to refresh your memory and learn about the new water requirements!
After attending the entire course, participants will be eligible to receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) that verifies they have completed the training course.
From Seed to Success: Turn Your Idea into an Actionable Plan
January 7, 2025
January 14, 2025
January 21, 2025
January 28, 2025
February 4, 2025
February 11, 2025
February 18, 2025
February 25, 2025
March 4, 2025
: From Seed to Success: Turn Your Idea into an Actionable Plan
Do you need a business plan for your farm? Do you have an idea for a new venture, but aren't sure if it will work? This program is for you!
This course is designed for existing farm businesses or those planning to undertake a new farm business venture. Students will work with their farm's data, and the goal of the class is for participants to have a draft of a written business plan for a specific business venture.
During the course, you will learn to:
- Assess whether or not a business idea is a good fit for you.
- Develop a marketing strategy to make a profit
- Use financial tools to evaluate if your business has the potential to be profitable
This online course meets from January 7-March 4, 2025. All course content is available online so you can work on it at your own pace. There will be weekly webinars where you can meet other students and interact directly with the instructor on the content. These webinars will be recorded.