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
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.
