ENY Orchard Soil Health and Beneficial Fungi Meeting
Event Details
Date
August 15, 2024
Time
3-5pm
Location
Northern Orchards Walker Farm
688 River Rd
Peru, NY 12972
Cost
Free Registration : Free
Host
Eastern New York Commercial HorticultureENY Orchard Soil Health and Beneficial Fungi Meeting

The soils that we grow our trees in play a critical role in the success of our orchard's productivity. Mycorrhizal fungi provide many benefits to the soils, though it is still unclear to what extent inoculating our soils with commercial blends of these fungi may have on the growth of trees during orchard establishment.
Join the members of CCE ENYCHP and the Cornell Soil Health Program for a field meeting on the basics of soil health, the potential benefits of mycorrhizal fungi, and an update on the current project status of our SARE grant on orchard mycorrhizal products.
This meeting is intended for farmworkers, young and beginning orchardists, and experienced orchard managers wanting to learn about the basics of soil health and mycorrhizal fungi within the orchard.
Agenda
3:00 PM - Welcome and Introductions
3:10 PM - The Basics of Orchard Soil Health with Dr. Debbie Aller
3:50 PM - Planning for Climate Resiliency In Orchard Soils with Dr. Kitty O'Neil
4:20 PM - The Basics of Soil Mycorrhizae in New York Apple Orchards with Mike Basedow
5:00 PM - Meeting Concludes

This meeting is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, through the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number LNE23-472R.

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.
