Specialists

Julie Kikkert
Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Areas of Interest: Processing Crops
Crops: Snap Beans, Beets, Carrots, Peas, Sweet Corn

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

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

Christy Hoepting
Extension Vegetable Specialist
Areas of Interest: On-farm Field Research and Pesticide Training
Crops: Broccoli, Cabbage, Garlic, Onions

Lori Koenick
Extension Support Specialist
Areas of Interest: Fresh Market Vegetables, Mushrooms, Urban Agriculture

Margie Lund
Extension Vegetable Specialist
Areas of Interest: Post-harvest Handling and Storage
Crops: Dry Beans, Potatoes

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

Upcoming Events
2026 Finger Lakes Produce Auction Winter Growers Meeting
January 8, 2026
Penn Yan, NY
At this vegetable grower-focused meeting, ag industry experts will discuss food safety, disease management in strawberries, the benefits of using cover crops, plus more. Two grower panel discussions will focus on pest management techniques and irrigation. DEC recertification credits offered in categories 10, 1a, 21, 22, 23, and 24.
2026 Ontario Produce Auction Winter Growers Meeting
January 14, 2026
Stanley, NY
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 in categories 10, 1a, 22, 23, and 24.