2018 Eastern New York Fruit & Vegetable Conference Tree Fruit Presentations

Updates on Products for Managing Diseases of Apples: Apple Scab, Powdery Mildew, Bitter Rot, and Fire Blight by Kerik Cox, Ph.D., School of Integrated Plant Science, Cornell University
Crop Insurance for Tree Fruit Producers by Liz Higgins, Cornell Cooperative Extension Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture Program
Biology of the Fire Blight Pathogen Erwinia amylovora Under Starvation Conditions: Survival Strategies and Virulence by Ricardo Delgado-Santander, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Associate at Cornell University
Registration and Efficacy Trial Updates on New Tree Fruit Insecticides in New York by Art Agnello, Ph.D., Department of Entomology, Cornell University
Expanding the Range for Establishing the Samurai Wasp, Trissolcus japonicas in Orchards and Vegetable Crops of NYS by Peter Jentsch, Senior Extension Associate in Entomology at Cornell University (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuZAVmtp6Bc)
The Land Grant Mission in 2018: Why R&D Innovation in Ag Matters to Consumers, and Your Farm's Future by Julie Suarez, Associate Dean at CALS, Cornell University
Managing Fire Blight: A Cost/Benefit Analysis by Liz Higgins, Cornell Cooperative Extension Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture Program
Updates on Products for Managing Diseases of Apples (pdf; 3862KB)
Crop Insurance for Tree Fruit Producers (pdf; 1224KB)
Biology of the Fire Blight Pathogen Under Starvation Conditions (pdf; 2142KB)
Registration and Efficacy Trial Updates on New Tree Fruit Insecticides (pdf; 897KB)
The Land Grant Mission in 2018 (pdf; 4810KB)
Managing Fire Blight: A Cost/Benefit Analysis (pdf; 502KB)

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.
