Keep an Eye Out for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Mike Basedow, Tree Fruit Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), an invasive insect pest of apples, peaches, grapes, nuts, vegetable crops and more, has been on our minds and in our crops and homes for years now. Many growers we've spoken with in NY are most familiar with this pest because of their habit of overwintering in homes and barns, often aggregated in large numbers. However, increasingly often, we're speaking with growers who also see them or their damage in orchard blocks. While we expect there to be low BSMB pressure in Northern NY, they are established in the Hudson Valley, and are believed to now be a nuisance to growers as far north as the Mohawk Valley and Saratoga County.
Keep an Eye Out for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (pdf; 210KB)

Upcoming Events
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.
