Organic

According to the Northeast Organic Farming Association of NY (NOFA-NY), organic farming "seeks to maintain and improve the productivity of the land by encouraging and enhancing natural biological processes. Organic farmers nurture healthy plants by working to create a foundation of healthy soil. Great attention is paid to nurturing the soil with composts, cover crops, rock minerals and natural fertilizers. Plant disease and pests are controlled through the use of crop rotations, resistant varieties, cultivation, biological pest controls and botanical controls. The use of synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides are prohibited in certified organic production."

The number of organic farmers in NYS continues to rise, driven in part by the increasing demand from consumers for produce that is free of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. The Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture program has been working with organic farmers to determine their needs and offer alternatives to conventional production methods.

Relevant Event

Best Management Practices for High Tunnel Nutrition and Soil Health

September 13, 2017
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Poughkeepsie, NY

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Most Recent Organic Content

2016 Conventional Potato Variety Trial Results

Anne Mills, Field Technician
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture

Last Modified: January 26, 2017

View this slideshow for user friendly data and photos from the conventional potato variety trial held in Schoharie County, NY.

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2016 Carrot Variety Trial

Anne Mills, Field Technician
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture

Last Modified: January 24, 2017

What makes a great carrot? The Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture Programs carrot variety trial will help you find out! Check out this slideshow to learn about the carrot varieties we grew and see which ones would make the cut to grow on your farm.

Taste test rating are included!

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2016 Beet Variety Trial

Anne Mills, Field Technician
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture

Last Modified: January 19, 2017

What makes a great beet? The Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture Programs beet variety trial will help you find out! Check out this slideshow to learn about the beet varieties we grew and see which ones would make the cut to grow on your farm.

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Upcoming Events

Ag Business Tuesdays - Clinton County

July 11, 2017
1.5 hour appts between 9:00am to 5:00pm
Plattsburgh, NY

Are you a farmer in Eastern New York with a question about the management side of your farm business? The Cornell Cooperative Extension Eastern NY Commercial Hort Team, in collaboration with CCE County offices, is offering free farm business technical assistance appointments this summer on Tuesdays at various locations in our service region. On Tuesday, July 11 from 9:00am-5:00pm we will be at CCE Clinton County.

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High Tunnel Field Meeting

July 12, 2017
5:00-7:00pm
Arygle, NY

Join us for a discussion of ongoing high tunnel fertility management for summer tomato crops, high tunnel soil health, as well as other summer high tunnel crop options including cucumbers and basil.

In addition there will be an update on leek moth in allium crops, a discussion of downy mildew in basil, and a
demonstration of an in-row flame weeder.

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Ag Business Tuesdays - Warren County

July 25, 2017
1.5 hour appts between 9:00am to 4:00pm
Warrensburgh, NY

Are you a farmer in Eastern New York with a question about the management side of your farm business? The Cornell Cooperative Extension Eastern NY Commercial Hort Team, in collaboration with CCE County offices, is offering free farm business technical assistance appointments this summer on Tuesdays at various locations in our service region. On Tuesday, July 25 from 9:00am-4:00pm we will be at CCE Warren County.

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Announcements

New Resources for Berry Crops

Berry Crop Diagnostics Tool - Much information exists on controlling plant pests and problems, but one must first identify the cause before intervention can occur. This diagnostic tool was developed to assist the student, grower, and extension educator in identifying potential causes of plant problems in berry crops

Cornell Berries YouTube Channel - Webinars and other videos that support our commercial berry production Extension and outreach

Coming soon: New NEWA berry pest forecasting tools

White Rot Update

NOW AVAILABLE: White Rot Fact Sheet: Click Here

Earlier in June I sent a garlic sample to the diagnostic lab hoping that I was wrong. The sample was covered in small black sclerotia, the size of poppy seeds, and white fungal hyphae crept up the stem. The results, unfortunately, matched the field diagnosis: White Rot. Within a couple days additional calls came from up and down the Hudson Valley as well as one in Western NY with similar suspicions. These samples have also gone to the lab for verification, but it looks like the latest pest to move back into the state is this nasty fungus.

White Rot, Sclerotinia cepivorum, decimated the onion industry in New York in the 1930's before being eradicated through careful management. More recently, in 2003, it infected 10,000 acres of garlic in California, leading to the abandonment of some garlic fields and adoption of strict containment rules. White rot has been confirmed in Northeastern states over the last decade as well, with New York being one of the last to discover the disease.

The primary reason that White Rot is such a concern is because the sclerotia, or reproductive structures, can remain dormant in the soil for up to 40 years, attacking any allium crop planted into the soil under favorable conditions. This spring was ideal for infection due to the period of cool, moist weather we had. Optimal temperature for infection is 60-65 degrees F, but infection can occur anywhere from 50-75 degrees F.
Once garlic has white rot, it generally declines rapidly. Leaves will yellow and the plant will wilt, not unlike a severe fusarium infection. However, unlike with fusarium, white rot infected bulbs are covered in black sclerotia and white fungus. To add to the confusion, another disease CAN look similar. Botrytis also causes black sclerotia and white fungal growth. However, Botrytis sclerotia are quite large, often larger than a pencil eraser.

So, what do we do now? We're still working on long-term management strategies, but the most important steps to take now are vigilance when culling (look at the plants you are pulling for symptoms like you see in this article, and if they are present, call us to take a sample and have the disease verified) and, if you see anything suspicious, reduction of movement of inoculum. The main ways diseases get moved around are by dumping culls (compost, field edges, etc) and my moving soil on equipment. Throw away your culls, and wash equipment that may have come in contact with suspicious garlic or the soil it is growing in. Everything from cultivation equipment to harvest bins should be cleaned.

We will keep learning about this disease and will keep sending out information, particularly to help you make decisions about what to sell and buy. For now, remember that the west coast has learned to manage the disease, and we will too. -Crystal Stewart, ENYCHP

Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture - Cornell Cooperative Extension
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Organic

Relevant Event

Best Management Practices for High Tunnel Nutrition and Soil Health

September 13, 2017
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Poughkeepsie, NY