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

Upcoming Events
Rulfs Orchard Vegetable and Berry Field Meeting
August 4, 2026
Peru, NY
Join CCE vegetable specialists Elisabeth Hodgdon and Chuck Bornt for a vegetable and berry field meeting at Rulfs Orchard, in Peru, NY. We'll tour the farm's fields and talk about integrated pest management of sweet corn and cucurbit crops. Then, we'll view a drone demonstration and discuss new technologies for pesticide application and spotted wing drosophila management in berries. Light refreshments will be provided. A rain date will be announced if adverse weather is predicted.
Field Day at Philia Farm
August 6, 2026
Johnstown, NY
Visit organic seed production trials and tour the farm to see small-scale production systems at work, including tarping, cover cropping, and the use of assorted mulches and covers to modify the growing environment.
Capital Region Orchard Twilight Meeting
August 11, 2026
Rexford, NY
Join the ENYCHP and Cornell scientists on August 11 for the Capital Region Orchard Twilight meeting in Saratoga! We will be touring Bowman Orchards and reviewing seasonal recommendations for pests and diseases for apples, plums, and berries, as well discussing crop insurance.
NYSDEC Pesticide Applicator Recertification Credits: 1.25 in categories 22, 1A, & 10. Refreshments will be provided.
Free to attend, however we do ask that you register ahead so we know how many people to expect.
