Soil Health for Vegetable Growers Workshop
Event Details

Date
November 1, 2023
Time
9:30am - 2:30pm
Location
Whallonsburg Grange
1610 Route 22
Essex, NY 12936
Cost
Registration : $30.00
(addl attendee $30.00 ea.)
Host
Eastern New York Commercial HorticultureWednesday, Nov. 1, 2023
9:30 am - 2:30 pm
Whallonsburg Grange (1610 Route 22, Essex, NY 12936)
Cost: $30 per person
Join us for presentations, discussions, and hands-on demonstrations focusing on soil health concepts and best management practices for vegetable growers. Topics include tarping, maintaining soil health in high tunnels, cover cropping, reduced tillage, compost microbiology, and more.
1.75 DEC pesticide recertification credits available in categories 1A, 10, and 23.
Register by Oct. 27
For more information, contact Elisabeth Hodgdon (eh528@cornell.edu or 518-650-5323).
Agenda:
9:30 am: Welcome & introductions, coffee & refreshments
9:45 am: Soil health concepts and the effects of soil type, cropping system, and management on soil health (Joseph Amsili, Cornell Soil Health Initiative)
10:15 am: Explore the intricate world of the soil food web (John Culpepper and Jennifer Perry, Compost for Good)
11 am: Tarping research updates (Crystal Stewart-Courtens, CCE Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program and Philia Farm)
11:30 am: Cover cropping in reduced tillage systems (Jean-Paul Courtens, Philia Farm)
12 pm: Grower panel and discussion: How we maintain soil health using tarps, reduced tillage, and other practices (Lissa Goldstein, Wild Work Farm; Adam Reed, Tangleroot Farm; TBD)
12:30 Lunch
1 pm: Maintaining soil health in high tunnels (Jud Reid, CCE Cornell Vegetable Program and Harvest NY)
1:45 pm: Tying together soil health and climate change resiliency (Kitty O'Neil, CCE North Country Regional Ag Team)
2:15 pm: Overview of services offered by the Essex County Soil & Water Conservation District and the Lake Champlain Basin Program
2:30 pm: End program
This workshop is sponsored in part by the Northern NY Agricultural Development Program and the New York Farm Viability Institute


Upcoming Events
Vegetable Pest and Cultural Management Field Meeting for Auction Growers -- Ontario Produce Auction

July 15, 2025
Stanley, NY
This evening meeting will demonstrate pest management in fresh market vegetables in both field and greenhouse (high tunnel) vegetables, primarily for those growing for wholesale auction. A hands-on demonstration of weed, insect and disease identification in vegetables including management options. Details on each topic will focus on field observations at the farm.
Orleans Summer Vegetable Meeting, 2025

July 16, 2025
Waterport, NY
Meeting themes are pest management in a wide array of produce and best practices for pesticide use. Professor Brian Nault will cover allium leaf miner and thrips in onions, garlic, and leeks, and discuss insect challenges in other crops. Bring your questions! We'll also have a field walk that includes high tunnel tomato and cucumber.
DEC credits available: 0.5 in CORE plus either 1.25 in 1a and 23, or 0.75 in 24.
Vegetable Pest and Cultural Management Field Meeting for Auction Growers -- Finger Lakes Produce Auction

July 18, 2025
Penn Yan, NY
This evening meeting will demonstrate pest management in fresh market vegetables in both field and greenhouse (high tunnel) vegetables, primarily for those growing for wholesale auction. A hands-on demonstration of weed, insect and disease identification in vegetables including management options. Details on each topic will focus on field observations at the farm.