The Cornell Vegetable Program Specialists work together with Cornell faculty and extension educators statewide to address the issues that impact the vegetable industry. Our Specialists have varying areas of expertise but work as a team to provide educational programs and information to commercial growers, processors and agri-business professionals in our region.

Elizabeth Buck

Extension Vegetable Specialist

Areas of Interest: Western-Region Fresh Market Vegetables, Weed Management, Soil Health
Crops: Cucumbers, Eggplant, Lettuce / Leafy Greens, Melons, Peppers, Squash - Summer, Squash- Winter, Tomatoes

view details about Elizabeth

Julie Kikkert

Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist

Areas of Interest: Processing Crops, Interim Potato Contact
Crops: Snap Beans, Dry Beans, Beets, Carrots, Peas, Sweet Corn

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Robert Hadad

Extension Vegetable Specialist

Areas of Interest: Food Safety, Fresh Market Vegetables, Marketing, Organic
Crops: Asparagus, Cucumbers, Ethnic Vegetables, Garlic, Horseradish, Lettuce / Leafy Greens, Melons, Parsnips, Pumpkins / Gourds, Radishes, Rutabaga, Squash - Summer, Squash- Winter, Sweet Corn, Turnips

view details about Robert

Christy Hoepting

Extension Vegetable Specialist

Areas of Interest: Pesticide Training
Crops: Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Garlic, Onions

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Judson Reid

Extension Vegetable Specialist

Areas of Interest: Greenhouse/High Tunnel Production, Small Farming Operations, Fresh Market Vegetables
Crops: Cucumbers, Eggplant, Lettuce / Leafy Greens, Peppers, Tomatoes

view details about Judson

Orleans Produce Auction Growers Meeting

July 23, 2018
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Lyndonville, NY

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.

Seneca County Produce Auction Growers Meeting

July 25, 2018
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Ovid, NY

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.

Finger Lakes Produce Auction Growers Meeting (Yates)

July 27, 2018
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Dundee, NY

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.

Managing Bird Damage in Sweet Corn

Former CCE Cornell Vegetable Program Specialist Darcy Telenko shares information on her on-farm research of bird management options to minimize damage to sweet corn in this video and final report. Learn more about the tools she evaluated -- chemical control, air dancers, scare-eye balloons, and detasseling.

Watch the video now! 
Read the final report now!

This research was supported by a Northeast SARE Partnership Grant and the New York Farm Viability Institute.

Vegetable Sizing Templates Available

To assist farmers looking to sell into wholesale markets, vegetable sizing templates are now available for bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cucumbers, eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini and summer squash. The crop templates are scaled to size (8.5 x 11 paper). They can be printed and used to create sizing templates to be used by workers on the wash and pack lines. Additional grading resources are available too.

Growing for Wholesale Guidelines Available

Grading and packing guidelines are available for 16 commonly grown specialty crops in NYS: broccoli crowns, Brussels sprouts, corn, green peppers, cucumbers, green cabbage, red cabbage, savory cabbage, cauliflower, eggplant, green beans, jalapenos, poblanos, Hungarian hot peppers, summer squash, and zucchini.

Acceptable quality standards and common defects that should be sorted out on the grading line are depicted in these resources, both visually and in outline form. Find all of the grading sheets here.

Cornell Commercial Vegetable Guidelines Available

The 2018 Cornell Integrated Crop and Pest Management Guidelines for Commercial Vegetable Production are now available!

Written by Cornell University specialists, this publication is designed to offer producers, seed and chemical dealers, and crop consultants practical information on growing and managing vegetable crops in New York State. Topics include general culture, nutrient management, transplant production, postharvest handling, organic production, and managing common vegetable crop pest concerns. A preview of the Vegetable Guidelines can be seen online.

Highlighted changes in the 2018 Vegetable Guidelines include:

• Updated pesticide options for economically important vegetable crop pests.
• Significantly revised pest management practices.
• New onion and sweet corn IPM scouting report forms.

Cornell Crop and Pest Management Guidelines are available as a print copy ($41), online-only access ($41), or a package combining print and online access ($57.50). Shipping charges will be added to your order. Cornell Guidelines can be obtained through your local Cornell Cooperative Extension office, or from the Cornell Store at Cornell University or call (844) 688-7620.

Empire State Producers EXPO Proceedings

Proceedings from the Empire State Producers EXPO conference from 2011-2018 are available online.