At this grower-focused meeting, ag industry experts will discuss European Cherry Fruit Fly, greenhouse phytosanitary inspections, the benefits of using cover crops, plus more. Two grower panel discussions will focus on pest management techniques.

DEC recertification credits offered:

• 3.0 in categories 10 and 1a
• 1.5 in category 22
• 2.5 in categories 23 and 24

FREE to attend. No pre-registration required.

AGENDA

8:30 AM Coffee, Re-certification Credit sign-in, visit vendors

9:00 Welcome and Auction Updates -- Ontario Produce Auction management

9:15 European Cherry Fruit Fly (ECFF) Control and Quarantine -- Kerry Pickering, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
ECFF feeding damages cherries and other fruit and can cause a 100% loss. New York State Department of Agriculture has put in place a quarantine consisting in Cayuga, Erie, Genesee, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, and Wayne counties to control the spread of ECFF. Kerry will discuss the logistics of this invasive pest quarantine and management. 

9:45 Programmable Plant Systems -- representative TBD from the Center for Research on Programmable Plant Systems (CROPPS) Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
CROPPS research focuses on how genetics and environmental factors interact with programmed plants. By applying computational modeling and advanced measurement tools, the team aims to explore previously inaccessible traits and discover how plants adapt to changing environments. This work has the potential to expand the adaptive capacity of crops, improve sustainability, and enhance productivity across a wide range of agricultural systems.

10:00 Preparing for a greenhouse phytosanitary inspection -- Kerry Pickering, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
As a horticulture inspector for NYSDAM, Kerry will share the common pests she scouts for when conducting an inspection and how growers can respond and prepare.

10: 30 Grower Panel -- Ontario Produce Auction growers, moderated with NYS specific pest control from Judson Reid, Cornell Vegetable Program
We have invited local growers to discuss their insect management techniques in both high tunnel and field tomatoes and more. Bring your questions! 

11:00 Cover Crops to reduce soil borne disease and insects, prevent erosion and improve soil health -- Judson Reid, Cornell Cooperative Extension

11:45 Updates from Sponsors and Vendors -- Seed and ag input companies will have 5 minutes to share product news.

12:00 PM Lunch

1:15 Disease Identification in Vine Crops, with a focus on Downy Mildew -- Judson Reid, Cornell Cooperative Extension
Judson will use a slide show of relevant foliar diseases of vine crops to help growers identify and properly manage diseases. 0.5 credits requested.

1:45 Grower Panel -- Ontario Produce Auction growers, moderated with NYS specific pest control from Judson Reid, Cornell Vegetable Program
We have invited our friends to discuss their weed management techniques in vine crops such as pumpkins, zucchini, melons and more. Bring your questions!

2:30 Credit distribution and Adjourn