Specialists

Chuck Bornt
Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Areas of Interest: Reduced Tillage, Production Systems, Pest ID and Control
Crops: Cucumbers, Melons, Potatoes, Pumpkins / Gourds, Squash - Summer, Squash- Winter, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes

Elizabeth Higgins
Team Leader, Business Management Specialist
Areas of Interest: Business Management & Planning, Risk Management, Agricultural Economics

Mike Basedow
Tree Fruit Specialist
Areas of Interest: Cultural practices, training systems, beginning orchards, cider orchards
Crops: Apples, Cherries, Peaches, Pears, Plums

Dan Donahue
Tree Fruit Specialist
Areas of Interest: Horticulture, orchard management, post harvest technology
Crops: Apples, Apricots, Peaches, Pears, Plums

Ethan Grundberg
Vegetable Specialist
Areas of Interest: Organic Production Systems, Small Farm Equipment, IPM, Cover Crops

Elisabeth Hodgdon
Vegetable Specialist
Areas of Interest: Pest management, high tunnel production, season extension, organic agriculture

Heather Kase
Berry Specialist
Crops: Blueberries, Raspberries / Blackberries, Strawberries, Currants, Gooseberries, Unusual Fruit

Teresa Rusinek
Vegetable Specialist
Areas of Interest: Pest ID, Pest Control Recommendations, Biocontrols, Greenhouse Vegetables and Ornamentals
Crops: Squash - Summer, Squash- Winter, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes

Jeremy Schuster
Viticulture Specialist
Areas of Interest: Viticulture
Crops: Grapes

Crystal Stewart-Courtens
Extension Vegetable Specialist
Areas of Interest: Small and Beginning Farms, Organic Production Systems, Garlic

Maire Ullrich
Vegetable Specialist
Areas of Interest: Muck Soils, Onions, Ethnic Vegetables, Marketing, Labor Relations
Crops: Carrots, Ethnic Vegetables, Lettuce / Leafy Greens, Onions

Upcoming Events
2026 Champlain Valley Summer Orchard Field Tour
July 15, 2026 : 2026 Champlain Valley Summer Orchard Field Tour
Keeseville, NY
Join the ENYCHP and Cornell scientists on July 15 for our annual Champlain Valley Summer Orchard Meeting! This year we will be meeting at Hart Apple Farm to learn about the varieties they are growing in one of their newer plantings, hear updates from faculty and extension agents on their current research projects, and view a few of Mike's local thinning projects firsthand.
DEC credits in categories 22, 1A, and 10 will be available. Refreshments will be provided.
Free to attend, however we do ask that you register ahead so we know how many people to expect. Rain date is July 16.
