
Craig Kahlke
Team Leader, Fruit Quality ManagementCCE Niagara County
4487 Lake Ave.
Lockport, NY 14094
phone 716-433-8839
cell 585-735-5448
fax 716-438-0275
email Craig
Areas of Interest
Fruit Quality and factors that affect fruit quality before, during, and after storage,
CropsBlueberries, Raspberries / Blackberries, Strawberries, Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Nectarines, Peaches, Pears, Plums
Craig Kahlke has been an Area Extension Specialist for the CCE-Lake Ontario Fruit Program for the past six years. He specializes in Fruit Quality Management, which expands his interests to include applied research in the myriad of factors that can affect final fruit quality. Craig's primary responsibilities include harvest maturity testing of apples, postharvest storage and technology of tree fruit/berries, along with marketing of fresh produce. Food safety has been a major emphasis of his programming for the past 3 1/2 years. Craig has an M.S. in Plant & Soil Science from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and a B.S. in Biology from SUNY Geneseo. Craig has worked in agriculture-related positions in research and extension for most of the past 18 years.

Upcoming Events
Eastern New York Grapevine Pruning Workshops - Highland
March 19, 2026 : Eastern New York Grapevine Pruning Workshop
Higland, NY
This workshop is ideal for anyone looking to learn or refresh their grapevine pruning skills.
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
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.
