Click details for temporary enforcement guidance on Annual Fit Testing.         

- CANCELLED - In a collaboration with Cornell Cooperative Extension Wayne County, Wayne County Farm Bureau and the Finger Lakes Occupational Health Services (FLOHS), we are offering the opportunity for Fit Test and Training provided by the FLOHS.

Topics that will be covered:

• Extend pollination period to enhance fruit set in apples, pears and cherries
• Improve fruit set following a frost event
• Improved branching and revitalizing blind wood
• Improved vigor on new plantings
• Control of San Jose scale and codling moth
• Long-lasting weed control in young orchards

View Details for Update on Annual Fit Testing Requirements and Temporary Exemptions here https://www.nycamh.org/programs-and-services/respirator-fit-test-clinics.php

Revised Program Accommodates Social Distancing Guidelines

Special Permit Training (SPT) for 2020 has been revised to an online format that accommodates current restrictions on public meetings, recommendations for social distancing, and projected delays in H2A guest worker processing imposed by COVID-19. 

In time for the originally proposed in-person SP Trainings on April 7 and 8, we hope to have available pre-recorded training modules. It will be the responsibility of the Supervisor/Certified Pesticide Applicator(s) on each farm to administer the training modules and written exam to their Special Permit trainees. Once registered, all of the necessary training materials and documents associated with Special Permit applications will be sent separately to each farm along with a private link to access the training modules.

Special Permits will only be issued for 10 specific pesticide labels. This will relieve the certified pesticide applicator from "on-site within voice contact" supervision of non-certified pesticide applicators when they are handling federally-restricted-use pesticides for which they hold a Special Permit. The labels that will be covered include Lorsban Advanced (for control of black stem borer in apple only), Endigo ZC, Warrior II with Zeon Technology, Agri-Mek SC, Beseige, Leverage 360, Danitol 2.4EC, Mustang Maxx, Asana XL, and Lannate LV (no Gramoxone this year.)

UPDATE: NYS DEC has approved a revised Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Special Permit Training (SPT) Program for 2020 that accommodates current restrictions on public meetings, recommendations for social distancing, and projected delays in H2A guest worker processing.  Our previously announced SPT in-person training sessions scheduled in Wayne and Orleans counties for April 7 and 8 have been cancelled.  However, a recorded webinar is being developed that will satisfy the requirements. Registration deadline for this Revised Special Permit Training is April 3rd.

View Details for more info.

Special Permits (SP) will only be issued for specific pesticide labels and SP trainees will have to pass a test. This will relieve the certified pesticide applicator from "on-site within voice contact" supervision of non-certified pesticide applicators when they are handling federally-restricted-use pesticides for which they hold a Special Permit.

Workers requiring general pesticide training/Agricultural Worker Protection Standard Handler training who do not need special permits are welcome to take the class; they will not be tested and will receive a course participation certificate.

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED. Join Cornell Cooperative Extension to learn what precision agriculture entails, the economics of using precision ag, and the preferred methodology and benefits. This free, 3-day event series is being organized by CCE Seneca County with assistance from Dr. Ali Nafchi, Precision Ag Specialist of the CCE Cornell Vegetable Program and CCE NWNY Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops team. Topics for each day will be determined by the audience interests and questions.

THIS IN-PERSON EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED BUT A REVISED PROGRAM HAS BEEN DEVELOPED.  REVISED PROGRAM & REGISTRATION

Special Permits (SP) will only be issued for specific pesticide labels and SP trainees will have to pass a test. This will relieve the certified pesticide applicator from "on-site within voice contact" supervision of non-certified pesticide applicators when they are handling federally-restricted-use pesticides for which they hold a Special Permit.

Workers requiring general pesticide training/Agricultural Worker Protection Standard Handler training who do not need special permits are welcome to take the class; they will not be tested and will receive a course participation certificate.

THIS IN-PERSON EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED BUT A REVISED PROGRAM HAS BEEN DEVELOPED. THE DATE AND TIME OF THE REVISED PROGRAM WILL BE DETERMINED SOON. 

Special Permits (SP) will only be issued for specific pesticide labels and SP trainees will have to pass a test.This will relieve the certified pesticide applicator from "on-site within voice contact" supervision of non-certified pesticide applicators when they are handling federally-restricted-use pesticides for which they hold a Special Permit. Certified Supervisors are required to attend the first 30 minutes of training.

THIS IN-PERSON EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED BUT A REVISED PROGRAM HAS BEEN DEVELOPED.  REVISED PROGRAM & REGISTRATION

Special Permits (SP) will only be issued for specific pesticide labels and SP trainees will have to pass a test. This will relieve the certified pesticide applicator from "on-site within voice contact" supervision of non-certified pesticide applicators when they are handling federally-restricted-use pesticides for which they hold a Special Permit.

Workers requiring general pesticide training/Agricultural Worker Protection Standard Handler training who do not need special permits are welcome to take the class; they will not be tested and will receive a course participation certificate.

THIS IN-PERSON EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED BUT A REVISED PROGRAM HAS BEEN DEVELOPED. THE DATE AND TIME OF THE REVISED PROGRAM WILL BE DETERMINED SOON. 

Special Permits (SP) will only be issued for specific pesticide labels and SP trainees will have to pass a test.This will relieve the certified pesticide applicator from "on-site within voice contact" supervision of non-certified pesticide applicators when they are handling federally-restricted-use pesticides for which they hold a Special Permit. Certified Supervisors are required to attend the first 30 minutes of training.

Topics that will be covered:

• Timing and use of PGR to optimize fruit size and quality
• Thinning and sizing
• Russet control plus improved fruit quality
• Codling moth, leaf rollers and San Jose scale protection

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED. Join Cornell Cooperative Extension to learn what precision agriculture entails, the economics of using precision ag, and the preferred methodology and benefits. This free, 3-day event series is being organized by CCE Steuben County with assistance from Dr. Ali Nafchi, Precision Ag Specialist of the CCE Cornell Vegetable Program and CCE NWNY Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops team. Topics for each day will be determined by the audience interests and questions.

**This event has been CANCELLED**

The Institute for Food Safety at Cornell University, the University of Vermont and CCE Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture are hosting a workshop on Cleaning, Sanitizing and Hygienic Design. 

This one-day workshop will include:

• A brief review of produce safety
• Presentations focused on cleaning, sanitizing and drying best practices
• An introduction to hygienic design principles
• Several hands on exercises to reinforce cleaning, sanitizing and hygienic design concepts

DUE TO CONCERNS REGARDING THE CORONAVIRUS, THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

Put farm food safety into daily production practice! 

Participants will learn why and how to design, clean, sanitize, and dry produce handling equipment and buildings. Classroom presentations will be supplemented with demos and hands-on activities with produce wash equipment. 

Daily, folks are being bombarded with news on the effects of COVID-19 in our industry.  On Thursday 4/23 at 7pm, Nicole Tommell, Farm Business Specialist CCE CNYDLFC, Myron Thurston CCE Madison Ag Economic Development & Marketing Specialist and Liz Higgins Ag Business Specialist, CCE Eastern NY Horticulture Team will give an update on the USDA COVID-19 relief package announced by Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue on 4/20. 

Got commercial vegetable questions? Get LIVE answers every Thursday night from 7:00-8:00pm! This event is hosted on Zoom or you can call in for farmer-driven production conversations, dynamic troubleshooting with CCE Specialists, and photo diagnostics of crop issues and pests. Learn how to identify the pests affecting your crops.

Weekly Berry Office Hours held on Thursdays at 12:30pm via Zoom or on your phone.  Format will be a short, in-depth presentation about a production issue and then Q&A.

The USDA Risk Management Agency and Agralytica will conduct a listening session for grower and stakeholder feedback about potential revenue coverage options for apple crop insurance.

For New York State stakeholders the sessions will be:

Got commercial vegetable questions? Get LIVE answers every Thursday night from 7:00-8:00pm! Join us for farmer-driven production conversations, dynamic troubleshooting with CCE Specialists, and photo diagnostics of crop issues and pests. Learn how to identify the pests affecting your crops.

In light of what we understand about the spread of COVID-19, new management practices will be needed to protect your U-Pick farm team and your customers. This will take some more planning as well as possibly adding more staff to your team. 

Join free webinar today - click details for link.

Got commercial vegetable questions? Get LIVE answers every Thursday night from 7:00-8:00pm! Join us for farmer-driven production conversations, dynamic troubleshooting with CCE Specialists, and photo diagnostics of crop issues and pests. Learn how to identify the pests affecting your crops.

Got commercial vegetable questions? Get LIVE answers every Thursday night from 7:00-8:00pm! This event is hosted on Zoom or you can call in for farmer-driven production conversations, dynamic troubleshooting with CCE Specialists, and photo diagnostics of crop issues and pests. Learn how to identify the pests affecting your crops.

Join the us for the first virtual CCE LOF 'Spring Pink Meeting' via Zoom.  Monday May 11 from Noon -1pm.  Be sure to preregister for this free Zoom webinar.

Pre-registration for this free webinar is required.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions on public meetings, a series of three, short, weekly Zoom Webinar on-line thinning meetings will be held instead.

The format is designed to be brief and focused, with an opportunity for grower interaction with the presenters.

The three-meeting format will be repeated separately for the Capital District and the Champlain Valley.

You will be able to submit questions during the meeting. If you'd prefer to submit your question(s) prior, email to Dan Donahue djd13@cornell.edu.

There is no cost to attend, but pre-registration is required. Pre-registration is simple, just your name, business name, and email address, and can be done up to a few moments before the Zoom webinar.

Got commercial vegetable questions? Get LIVE answers every Thursday night from 7:00-8:00pm! Join us for farmer-driven production conversations, dynamic troubleshooting with CCE Specialists, and photo diagnostics of crop issues and pests. Learn how to identify the pests affecting your crops.

View Details for Update on Annual Fit Testing Requirements and Temporary Exemptions here https://www.nycamh.org/programs-and-services/respirator-fit-test-clinics.php

CFAP, authorized in the CARES Act will provide $16 billion in direct support to agricultural producers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Direct support for farmers and ranchers available via CFAP will include direct support based on actual losses for agricultural producers where prices and market supply chains have been impacted and will assist producers with additional adjustment and marketing costs resulting from lost demand and short-term oversupply for the 2020 marketing year caused by COVID-19. For example if you had to dispose of produce because you lost sales, you may be eligible for a payment.

Late Registration Now Available for Special Permit Training - for those who were unable to register by April 3rd, there is still time.  If you have already registered please do not re-register you will be contacted in the near future with detailed instructions.

UPDATE: NYS DEC has approved a revised Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Special Permit Training (SPT) Program for 2020 that accommodates current restrictions on public meetings, recommendations for social distancing, and projected delays in H2A guest worker processing.  Our previously announced SPT in-person training sessions scheduled in Wayne and Orleans counties for April 7 and 8 have been cancelled.  However, a recorded webinar is being developed that will satisfy the requirements. Registration deadline for this Revised Special Permit Training is April 3rd.

View Details for more info.

Special Permits (SP) will only be issued for specific pesticide labels and SP trainees will have to pass a test. This will relieve the certified pesticide applicator from "on-site within voice contact" supervision of non-certified pesticide applicators when they are handling federally-restricted-use pesticides for which they hold a Special Permit.

Workers requiring general pesticide training/Agricultural Worker Protection Standard Handler training who do not need special permits are welcome to take the class; they will not be tested and will receive a course participation certificate

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County (CCE Erie) is hosting an online workshop for anyone looking for a place to start an urban farm or market garden in the City of Buffalo. Selecting a suitable property is critical to the success of an urban farm. Size, soils, site history, infrastructure, neighborhood, and zoning are all factors that need to be considered. Caitlin Tucker with the CCE Cornell Vegetable Program will talk about these factors on Saturday, May 16.

Dr. Terence Robinson & Mario Miranda Sazo will be providing recommendations for bloom thinning in biennial varieties (plus Gala), with up-to-date information based on assessments of freeze damage across the region. This meeting will be recorded.

Got commercial vegetable questions? Get LIVE answers every Thursday night from 7:00-8:00pm! Join us for farmer-driven production conversations, dynamic troubleshooting with CCE Specialists, and photo diagnostics of crop issues and pests. Learn how to identify the pests affecting your crops.

Description: A fairly short meeting. Terence Robinson and Mario Miranda Sazo will be making early thinning recommendations based on assessments over the past several days. There will be plenty of time for Q&A, and the webinar will be recorded and posted to our website soon after.

"Annual" Spring Petal Fall Thinning Meeting Part 2-

Please register through Zoom link by clicking on view  details below and scrolling down to the May 29 Webinar.

This will be a more comprehensive webinar that will be similar to the field meetings we had Pre-COVID, which will include IPM/pest management updates from Cornell faculty, pollination information, a labor update, COVID-19 information, a national crop update, and an update on thinning recommendations from Mario. There will be time for Q&A. It will be recorded and posted on our website later as well.

Weekly Berry Office Hours held on Thursdays at 12:30pm via Zoom or on your phone.  Format will be a short, in-depth presentation about a production issue and then Q&A.

Dr. Terence Robinson will present his recommendations for the all-important 10-13 mm thinning sprays. This will be based on overall response to thinners though petal fall, and the carbohydrate model predictions with the current weather forecasts. Terence and Mario will be available after to answer your questions.

Please register through Zoom link by clicking on view  details below and scrolling down to the June 5 Webinar.

As New York "Reopens" business during the COVID-19 crisis, business owners are evaluating what actions they need to take to protect themselves, their employees, and their customers.

Join a panel of experts for a Question and Answer lunchtime session on June 9th, 2020 at noon that will address common questions that apple growers and other producers have about managing their field crew.

As New York "Reopens" business during the COVID-19 crisis, business owners are evaluating what actions they need to take to protect themselves, their employees, and their customers.

Join a panel of experts for a Question and Answer lunchtime session that will address common questions that apple growers and other producers have about managing their field crew.

Join us for office hours - Thursday, June 11 at 12:30pm.  Bring questions about SWD management, ID, etc.  There will be a short presentation first - yes, about SWD! - and then we'll try and touch on highlights for management. 

Click the link below to join

https://cornell.zoom.us/j/9551...

Password: 4FyY8D

Or dial by phone: 1-646-518-9805

Meeting ID: 955 1458 6018

This virtual training will help farmers and workers understand the concepts of food safety from harvest to packing. This training will also cover facility design, operation for washing produce and cleaning/sanitizing to minimize the risk of possible microbial contamination.

As New York "Reopens" business during the COVID-19 crisis, business owners are evaluating what actions they need to take to protect themselves, their employees, and their customers, and to help public officials contain the spread of COVID-19.

Join a panel of Cornell ag specialists for a Question and Answer session on June 24th, 2020, at 7pm, that will address common questions that fruit and vegetable growers have about managing their farms during COVID-19.

Please join us for a webinar to learn about managing spotted wing drosophila and fruit flies in cherries this summer!