ENYCHP Field Cultivation Day
Anne Mills, Field Technician
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Weed control for commercial scale farming was the theme of the event which, free and open to all farmers, was held in collaboration with CCE's Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture Program (CCE-ENYCHP).
Visiting representatives from Germany and Holland joined Farm Hub director of farmer training Jean-Paul Courtens, director of farm operations John Gill, and Chuck Bornt of CCE-ENYCHP for a presentation and discussion that began under a large tent adjacent to the vegetable plots. The program was designed to place mechanical weed control in the context of farm efficiency, economics, and productivity, as Courtens encouraged farmers to think about weeds and how to manage them long before the first crop seed is planted.
Participants then moved to the field - from carrots to parsnips to corn, beets, beans and cabbage, as different pieces of equipment were hooked up and put into motion. Finger weeders, hoeing machines, row cultivators and tine weeders from both US and European manufacturers I & J, Einbock, Kress, and Hak were, one by one, described and employed in the field while everyone was invited to ask questions and to follow along the rows on foot.
Field Cultivation Day (pdf; 9278KB)

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.
2026 Hudson Valley Berry Field Day
July 15, 2026 : 2026 Hudson Valley Berry Field Day
Kinderhook, NY
Join specialists Heather Kase, Scott Cosseboom, Nathaniel Westrick, and Anna Wallis for updates and a review of berry phenology and pest management. Presentations will be given on berry horticultural and pest management considerations for strawberries, blueberries, brambles, and minor fruit crops. Light refreshment & snacks will be provided. Registration is encouraged but there is no fee for attendance. 1.00 DEC credit will be available in categories 10, 1a, and 22
Rulfs Orchard Vegetable and Berry Field Meeting
August 4, 2026
Peru, NY
Join CCE vegetable specialists Elisabeth Hodgdon and Chuck Bornt for a vegetable and berry field meeting at Rulfs Orchard, in Peru, NY. We'll tour the farm's fields and talk about integrated pest management of sweet corn and cucurbit crops. Then, we'll view a drone demonstration and discuss new technologies for pesticide application and spotted wing drosophila management in berries. Light refreshments will be provided. A rain date will be announced if adverse weather is predicted.
