2020 Upper Genesee Valley Produce Growers Meeting
Event Details
Date
February 14, 2020
Time
12:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Location
Genesee Valley Produce Auction house
8855 Co. Rd 3
Freedom, NY 14065
Cost
FREE!
Host
Cornell Vegetable ProgramElizabeth Buck
585-406-3419
email Elizabeth Buck

A bit of something for everyone! This meeting will feature experts from Cornell Cooperative Extension discussing food safety in auction lots and quality control, how to successfully lengthen the growing season, making the most of a small grain rotational crop, and common disease and pest info. Summer squash, cabbage and pepper production tips will be presented by Mark Zittel, an experienced produce and greenhouse grower for 20+ years. Participants will have the opportunity to join group discussion in breakout sessions of their choosing. And don't forget to stop by the Demo Table to see weeds and soil health exhibits.
AGENDA
12:30 PM Welcome, Housekeeping, Updates, Survey -- CCE Allegany & Cattaraugus Counties, GVPA Board
12:40 PM Food Safety in Auction Lots and Quality Control -- Lynn Bliven, CCE Allegany County
1:00 PM Diversifying Produce Offerings and Regional Marketing Lessons -- Elizabeth Buck, CCE Cornell Vegetable Program
1:15 PM Update from Harris Seeds
1:25 PM Demo Table (Weeds, Soil Health)
1:40 PM Lengthening the Growing Season -- Judson Reid, CCE Cornell Vegetable Program
2:00 PM Break
2:15 PM Production Nuts & Bolts: Summer Squash, Cabbage, Peppers -- Mark Zittel, produce and greenhouse grower of 20+ years
2:45 PM Making the Most of a Small Grain Rotational Crop -- CCE Southwest NY Dairy, Livestock, Field Crops Team
3:15 PM Breakout Group Discussions
- Season extension, greenhouses & plant nutrition - Judson Reid & Caitlin Vore
- Food safety, marketing, soils - Lynn Bliven
- Vegetable & bedding plant production - Elizabeth Buck & Mark Zittel
- Field Crops, Dairy, Livestock - SW NY Team
3:35 PM Common Disease and Pest Recap -- Caitlin Vore, CCE Cornell Vegetable Program
3:55 PM Wrap Up
FREE! Pre-registration requested by February 12. Register online or call Elizabeth Buck at 585-406-3419.

Upcoming Events
IPM Field Day for Urban Growers
September 10, 2026
Buffalo, NY
Join us for a hands-on field day exploring integrated pest management and season extension tools for urban growing spaces and the opportunity to build community with local growers!
This event will focus on best practices for using row covers and rat mitigation. Check out our CCE demonstration trial using insect exclusion netting to manage swede midge, an invasive fly that causes damage to brassica crops. Explore how to identify rat activity, reduce attractants, and strengthen site management. Hear from local growers on how they manage pests with a focus on organic management and how they extend the season on their farms and gardens.