Northern Hudson Valley Thinning Meeting
Event Details
Date
May 15, 2024
Time
2:30 pm
Location
Cornell Cooperative Extension - Hudson Office
CCE Regional Extension Center, 479 NY-66
Hudson, NY 12534
Host
Eastern New York Commercial HorticultureNorthern 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
Eastern New York Grapevine Pruning Workshops - Highland
March 19, 2026 : Eastern New York Grapevine Pruning Workshop
Higland, NY
This workshop is ideal for anyone looking to learn or refresh their grapevine pruning skills.
2026 Cornell Winter Fruit Webinar Series
January 22, 2026 : Blueberry Pruning and Soil Health to Minimize Pests and Maximize Yield
Week 1: Blueberry Pruning and Soil Health to Minimize Pests and Maximize Yield
January 29, 2026 : Cost of Production for Fruit Crops
Week 2: Cost of Production for Fruit Crops - A new tool for tree fruit, updates on berry production in NY, and strategies for tracking and using expense data
February 12, 2026 : Fire Blight Management Updates
Week 3: Fire Blight Management Updates - Pathogen Biology, Defense Inducers, Biopesticides, and Pruning Therapies
February 19, 2026 : Pink and Petal Fall Insecticides- Can We Strike the Right Balance?
Week 4: Pink and Petal Fall Insecticides - Can We Strike the Right Balance?
March 12, 2026 : Inoculating Orchards with Mycorrhizal Fungi
Week 5: Inoculating Orchards with Mycorrhizal Fungi
March 19, 2026 : St. Peachtrick's Day - Cherry Pruning Strategies and Plum Varieties for the Northeast
Week 6: St. Peachtrick's Day - Cherry Pruning Strategies and Plum Varieties for the Northeast
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.
