Southern Hudson Valley Thinning Meeting
Event Details
Date
May 15, 2024
Time
9:00 am
Location
43 Mt. Zion Rd.
Milton, NY 12542
Host
Eastern New York Commercial HorticultureSouthern Hudson Valley Thinning Meeting

Please join pomologist Win Cowgill (Rutgers professor emeritus) of Win Enterprises and Dan Donahue for a discussion of apple chemical thinning strategies for 2024. As usual, there will be a morning meeting in Ulster County followed by an afternoon meeting in Columbia County.
Greg Clarke and James Wargo of Valent will join us to discuss the use of a new thinner, Accede, in peaches and apples. Accede has been developed as a "late" thinner in apple (15+ mm), which could be a valuable tool this season.
Drs. Andres Delgado and Scott Cosseboom of the Hudson Valley Laboratory, and Dr. Anna Wallis of the Cornell IPM Program will be on hand to discuss all things pest management. Liz Higgins, our ENYCHP production economist will be on hand as well.
As we've done in recent years, Dan and Win will tour Hudson Valley orchards the day before, 14-May, making observations on fruit set and crop load status, which they'll report on at the meetings on 15-May.
The meeting is intended to be brief, on-point, and interactive. Bring your observations, questions, and opinions!

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.
