Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. Many New England growers are cultivating saffron as a component of their diversified farming program. They are selling their saffron for $25-50 per gram! Want to learn more about this high value crop? Come to our FREE Saffron Demonstration Event coordinated by the University of Vermont (UVM) North American Center for Saffron Research & Development. It will take place in Vermont but anyone from anywhere is welcome to attend if they are willing to drive to it. This is one of several demonstration events we will hold over the year at different Vermont grower locations. Each event will feature different key topics coordinated with the saffron production cycle. 

Weed control across the farm relevant for vegetables, fruit, and pasture/forage. Topics include weed ID of common and new species, why nightshades are so problematic, assessing impact of & control weeds in pasture, herbicide resistance, cultivator demo, and mid-season weed control options.  

DEC credits requested (approval pending): 2.5 credits in categories 1a (commercial plant ag), 1.25 credit in category 21 (field crops), 1.5 credit in category 22 (fruit) and 2.0 credits in category 23 (vegetable).

Integrated weed management field day covering weed control in vegetables, small grains, and fruit. Topics include weed ID, new tool designs, getting better cultivation results, recognizing and managing herbicide resistance, group discussion on weed control strategies, and demonstrations. 

DEC credits requested (approval pending): 2.5 credits in categories 1a (commercial plant ag) and 10 (research/demo),1.25 credit in category 21 (field crops), 2.0 credits in categories 22 (fruit) and 23 (vegetable).

It's going to be a Weed Control Extravaganza at this year's Oswego County Onion Growers Twilight Meeting! Bring weed samples for identification. 2.25 DEC recertification credits will be available (categories 1A, 10 and 23). CCA credits will also be available. This meeting is being organized by Oswego County Vegetable Growers and Improvement Association and CCE Cornell Vegetable Program.

Organic and integrated pest management strategies will be covered related to fresh market vegetable crop production. Topics include sweet corn scouting and laser scarecrow update, alternatives to Lorsban for cabbage maggot control, foliar sampling for improved fertility management, best practices for biopesticide use, and gauging soil biological activity. 1.25 DEC credit in 1a and 23.

This potato production meeting will cover organic and integrated management strategies. Topics include fertility, insect management, soil health, late blight prevention, and hand-on scouting skills practice. 1.0 DEC credit in 1a and 23.

An organized discussion of the Good, the Bad, & the Ugly of using cover crops and reduced tillage systems.

• When and how to terminate cover crops for corn planting 
• Planting Green 
• Strip-till / No-till / Reduced-till… 
• Coulters / Row Cleaners / Closing Wheels / Seed Firmers…

Dr. Lynn Sosnoskie, assistant professor of Weed Ecology and Management for Specialty Crops at Cornell University, will be holding two field meetings in Eastern New York on Palmer Amaranth management in July. More information and registration details are available here: https://files.ctctusercontent.com/50bc2eb5701/95a6adb3-c71f-4bac-8223-43f4c893d55b.pdf?rdr=true

1.75 recertification credits approved in categories 23 (veg) and 24 (greenhouse). This course 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 such as inter-row cover crops, grafting and where appropriate, spray options will be used to educate growers. Judson Reid, Senior Extension Associate with the Cornell Vegetable Program along with CCE staff will instruct participants and facilitate peer-based learning. Details on each topic will focus on field observations at the farm. 

1.75 recertification credits approved in categories 23 (veg) and 24 (greenhouse). This course 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 such as inter-row cover crops, grafting and where appropriate, spray options will be used to educate growers. Judson Reid, Senior Extension Associate with the Cornell Vegetable Program along with CCE staff will instruct participants and facilitate peer-based learning. Details on each topic will focus on field observations at the farm. 

Rulf's Orchard, 531 Bear Swamp Road, Peru, NY 

Many berry topics will be discussed including growing Juneberries (Amelanchier, not strawberries), using entomopathogenic nematodes to control strawberry root pests, low tunnel production in June bearing strawberries, SWD monitoring and management. 2.5 DEC pesticide recertification credits available in categories 1A, 10, 22, and 23. Contact Elisabeth Hodgdon (eh528@cornell.edu or 518-650-5323) or Laura McDermott (lgm4@cornell.edu or 518-746-2562) with questions.

2 DEC credits available in 1a, 10, and 23. Field-walk style meeting with planned topics on soil health, pest control, and disease management.