Small Fruit Opportunities for Small Farms
Event Details
Date
July 11, 2023
Time
1:00pm - 5:00pm
Location
Cornell Willsboro Research Farm
48 Sayward Ln
Willsboro, NY 12996
Cost
Pre-Register : $10.00
Host
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture$10 per farm
Pre register by Monday, July 10th at 9 am
Join us for a field afternoon at the Cornell Willsboro Research Farm and Juniper Hill Farm in Essex County to learn about growing small fruit crops in northern New York. We'll discuss considerations for site selection, varieties, pruning, integrated pest management, marketing, and more. In addition to strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, we'll cover novelty small fruits and nuts for specialty markets and hear from local producers who grow them.
1.75 DEC credits approved in categories 1A, 10, and 22
Rain date: This event will be held at the same time on Thursday, July 13th if thunderstorms and/or significant rain are predicted on the 11th
Agenda:
12:50 pm: Arrive early if signing in for DEC credits
1 pm: Welcome & Introductions, refreshments (Elisabeth Hodgdon, CCE ENYCHP)
1:10 pm: Strawberry systems overview and overwintering material evaluation (Elisabeth Hodgdon, CCE ENYCHP)
1:30 pm: Growing hazelnuts in northern New York (Mike Davis, Cornell Willsboro Research Farm)
1:45 pm: Managing spotted wing drosophila in berry crops: trap options and research results, checking fruit for larvae, IPM overview (Laura McDermott, CCE ENYCHP)
2:05 pm: Juneberries, honeyberries, and Aronia variety evaluation (Mike Davis, Cornell Willsboro Research Farm)
2:35 pm: Specialty fruit grower panel discussion (Jenna Mulbury, Northern Orchard and Duane Smith, Seaway Coldhardy Grapes, others TBD)
3:00 pm: Climate change mitigation opportunities with perennial crops, funding opportunities (Jenna Walczak, CCE Harvest NY)
3:30 pm: Services available to commercial fruit growers from Essex County Soil & Water Conservation District (Alice Halloran, Essex Co SWCD)
3:40 pm: Depart for Juniper Hill Farm (drive on your own or carpool, meet at blueberry field on Stowersville Rd, Lewis at 44°17'52.9"N 73°30'09.1"W)
4:10 pm: Organic blueberry establishment at Juniper Hill Farm
5 pm: Adjourn, collect DEC credit certificates
Apples
Apricots
Asparagus
Beets
Blueberries
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Cherries
Cucumbers
Dry Beans
Eggplant
Ethnic Vegetables
Garlic
Grapes
Horseradish
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Lettuce / Leafy Greens
Melons
Nectarines
Onions
Parsnips
Peaches
Pears
Peas
Peppers
Plums
Potatoes
Pumpkins / Gourds
Radishes
Raspberries / Blackberries
Rhubarb
Rutabaga
Snap Beans
Squash - Summer
Squash- Winter
Strawberries
Sweet Corn
Sweet Potatoes
Tomatoes
Turnips
Upcoming Events
Leading the Farm Team: Supervisory Skills for New Managers
April 14, 2026 : Session 1: Becoming a Supervisor
The transition from working alongside employees to supervising them can be challenging. This session explores the shift from individual contributor to supervisor and the mindset and skills needed to lead a team effectively. Participants will learn about the role of a supervisor, key leadership behaviors, and how to build trust and credibility with employees.
April 21, 2026 : Session 2: Improving Performance
This session will introduce the performance triad—clear expectations, training, and feedback—to support employee success. We will discuss practical communication strategies, how to give constructive feedback, and how supervisors can help employees improve their performance over time.
April 28, 2026 : Session 3: Managing Conflict
Supervisors are responsible for maintaining a professional and respectful workplace. This session covers some of the legal and ethical responsibilities of supervisors and the responsibilities managers have in addressing workplace concerns.
Participants will also explore common sources of workplace conflict, learn to recognize potential biases that can influence management decisions, and discuss practical approaches for addressing difficult situations and resolving conflicts at work.