Airblast Sprayer Calibration Workshop
Event Details
Date
July 9, 2024
Time
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Location
Samascott Orchards (Farm location, not market)
5 Sunset Ave
Kinderhook, NY 12106
Cost
Per Farm : $20.00
Host
Eastern New York Commercial HorticultureAirblast Sprayer Calibration Workshop
Tuesday, July 9 - Airblast Sprayer Calibration Workshop - 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm at Samascott Orchards, 5 Sunset Ave, Kinderhook, NY 12106
DEC Pesticide applicator recertification credits will be available
$20 per farm - Pre-registration required (Please include the number of people attending in the registration...space is limited)
University of New Hampshire Extension Field Specialist Emeritus, George Hamilton will demonstrate the importance of and best techniques to calibrate air blast sprayers. Proper calibration will ensure effective, efficient, economical and legal spraying. Inadequate spray coverage is usually the cause of poor spray efficacy and additional spray applications. Overuse of some sprays results in unhealthy residues and can lead to fines.
Calibration should be done several times each season, or when you incorporate any new equipment or repairs - from the tractor to the nozzle. Join us for a refresher or send new employees for training. This workshop is open for any grower that relies on an airblast sprayer to deliver plant protectants to fruit or vegetable crops.
Agenda
3:00 pm - Welcome and Introductions
3:10 pm - Why are you Spraying and Benefits of Calibrating
3:20 pm - Calibration Factors Affecting Application Rate
3:35 pm - Pre-Calibration
3:45 pm - Sprayer Maintenance
4:00 pm - Calibration Notes
4:10 pm - Calibration Demonstration (water sensitive paper deployment exercise included)
4:30 pm - How to evaluate success - Understand deposition
4:55 pm - Q&A 5:00 pm - Adjourn

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.
