Cornell Winter Fruit Webinar Series 2025
These webinars will provide updates on fruit-related topics and research happening at Cornell University.
Webinars hosted by NYSIPM, CCE Harvest NY, CCE LOFP, and CCE ENYCHP.
If you missed a webinar or just want to review one you've all ready seen the recordings can be found at the 2024 Winter Fruit Webinars playlist on the NYS IPM Program YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playli...
NYSDEC Pesticide Recertification credits will be offered for indicated sessions. If you would like DEC Credits, please send a copy of your photo ID to Anna Wallis aew232@cornell.edu To receive credits you will need to attend the entire webinar on your own computer/device, and complete the required Google Form survey at the beginning and again at the end of the webinar.
Event Details
Date
January 17, 2025
January 31, 2025
February 14, 2025
February 28, 2025
March 14, 2025
Time
11:00am to 12:30pm
Location
Zoom - different links for each webinar
Host
Cornell Cooperative Extension, NYSIPM and Cornell University
Anna Wallis
email Anna Wallis
Cornell Winter Fruit Webinar Series 2025
Week 1: Digging Into Pruning and Soil Health
Friday January 17, 2025 11:00AM-12:30PM
Speakers: Mario Miranda Sazo (CCE LOFP), Dr. Debbie Aller (NYS Soil Health)
Webinar description pending
Register: https://bit.ly/digging-into-soil-health-pruning-2025
Week 2: Cider Apples - Mechanized Harvesting and Patulin Food Safety
Friday January 31, 2025 11:00AM-12:30PM
Speakers: Dr. Greg Peck (Cornell CALS), and Dr. Randy Warobo (Cornell CALS)
Description: Dr. Greg Peck will discuss his lab's experiments with chemical and physical practices for removing fruit from the trees, as well as trials using different scales of harvesting machines. Dr. Randy Warobo will cover factors to consider to meet the patulin regulatory requirements and the Juice HACCP regulation related to patulin.
Register: https://bit.ly/cider-apples-mechanized-harvest-2025
Week 3: The Value of "Eco-Friendly" Marketing - OMRI, Red Tomato, EcoApple, NYS Grown and Certified
Friday February 12, 2025 11:00AM-12:30PM
Speaker: Liz Higgins (CCE ENYCHP) | Panelists: Josh Morgenthau (Fish Kill Farms), Kevin Clark (Rose Hill Farm), and Jim Bittner (Bittner-Singer Orchard)
Description: Liz Higgins will discuss the economic benefits of participating in ecological certification/labeling programs and provide some strategies for evaluating if a specific certification program makes sense for you. The grower panel will discuss their experiences with different labels and the effects they saw on their markets.
0.5 NYSDEC Pesticide Credits are available for categories 10, 1a, and 22
Register: https://bit.ly/eco-friendly-marketing-2025
Week 4: Biopesticides and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) for Berries
Friday February 28, 2025 11:00AM-12:30PM
Speakers: Dr. Samantha Willden (Cornell AgriTech), McKenzie Schessl (Cornell AgriTech), Aleah Butler-Jones (Cornell CALS)
Description: Dr. Samantha Willden will review Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) for berries, and McKenzie Schessl will provide updates on biopesticides in strawberries. Aleah Butler-Jones will discuss common problem weeds in berries and provide management recommendations
1.5 NYSDEC Pesticide Credits are available for categories 10, 1a, and 22
Register: https://bit.ly/berries-Feb28-2025
Week 5: St. Peachtrick's Day - Stone Fruit Insect and Disease Management
Friday March 14, 2025 11:00AM-12:30PM
Speakers: Dr. George Sundin (Michigan State University) and Dr. Brett Blaauw (University of Georgia, Clemson University)
Description: Dr. George Sundin will discuss two diseases - cherry leaf spot and bitter rot. Dr. Brett Blaauw will give an overview of the biology of scale insects and offer tips to identify different species, as well as reviewing current best management practices for these insects in tree fruit.
1.5 NYSDEC Pesticide Credits are available for categories 10, 1a, and 22
Register: https://bit.ly/st-peachtricks-2025
Apples
Apricots
Asparagus
Beets
Blueberries
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Cherries
Cucumbers
Dry Beans
Eggplant
Ethnic Vegetables
Garlic
Grapes
Horseradish
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Lettuce / Leafy Greens
Melons
Nectarines
Onions
Parsnips
Peaches
Pears
Peas
Peppers
Plums
Potatoes
Pumpkins / Gourds
Radishes
Raspberries / Blackberries
Rhubarb
Rutabaga
Snap Beans
Squash - Summer
Squash- Winter
Strawberries
Sweet Corn
Sweet Potatoes
Tomatoes
Turnips
Upcoming Events
2026 Greenhouse Growers School
January 21, 2026 : 2026 Greenhouse Growers School
Voorheesville, NY
This event is in-person but the speakers in the morning session will present virtually. The cost to attend this event is $60 per person. $10 discount for members of New York State Flower Industries. A discount of 50% will be given to additional attendees from the same greenhouse/farm. Lunch is included. Pre-registration is required. Walk-ins will NOT be allowed. Please register by January 16, 2026.
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
I thought I was covered for that! Farm Insurance Webinar Series, Jan-Feb 2026
January 13, 2026 : Session 1: Insurance and Risk Management 101
Insurance and Risk Management 101. This first webinar will cover many of the general provisions found in insurance policies and describe some of the terms to be aware of when you are considering your options. Steve Hadcock, Capital District Hort Team and Greg Murk, FarmNet.
January 20, 2026 : Session 2: Liability Insurance
Coverage for the risk that your business will cause harm to someone. Are you having people on your farm or selling a food product? You might need liability insurance. Robert Hadad, Cornell Vegetable Program, Elizabeth Higgins, Eastern NY Commercial Hort Program.
January 27, 2026 : Session 3:Protecting Yourself from Disasters (Crop Insurance, USDA FSA programs and Flood Insurance)
Are you protected from a weather event on your farm? Learn about your options for Disaster Coverage (crop insurance, FSA programs, flood insurance). Elizabeth Higgins, Eastern NY Commercial Hort Program.
February 3, 2026 : Session 4: Insuring People (health, life and disability insurance)
Options for health insurance, life insurance and disability insurance, and how they can help farmers and their employees. Maire Ullrich, CCE Orange County and Lucas Smith, Cornell Ag Workforce Development
February 10, 2026 : Session 5: Property Insurance
Insuring your infrastructure, equipment, and livestock from loss. Learn about the types of coverage, and the risks they reduce. Colin Hostetter, Tri-County Ag Team, Desiree Keever, CCE Delaware County and Steve Glick, Kevin Daniels Agency.