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
Lake Erie Region Summer Meeting

July 24, 2025
Brant, NY
This meeting will cover organic and conventional management and will be relevant for producers of all sizes. This broad-reaching meeting will feature a mixed fresh market field walk, potatoes, sprayer calibration, and disease control in table and wine grapes. We'll cover organic and conventional controls and present information for growers of all scales of production.
2.0 DEC (0.5 CORE, 1.0 Veg, 0.5 Fruit)
Vegetable Pest and Cultural Management Field Meeting for Auction Growers -- Seneca Produce Auction

July 30, 2025
Romulus, NY
This evening meeting 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. Details on each topic will focus on field observations at the farm.
2.0 DEC credits in categories 10, 1a, 23, and 24.
Niagara Region Summer Meeting, 2025

August 7, 2025
Ransomville, NY
We're in for a treat! Professor Steve Reiners is coming as a part of his pre-retirement speaking tour! Steve's a fantastic, down-to-earth speaker with extensive knowledge on horticultural techniques, fertility, varieties, and much more. Don't miss this event! Topics include "what exactly do NPK and other nutrients do inside the plants?", a pest/disease field walk, sweet corn variety trial, a tar spot primer, spraying best practices, and industry updates. Content will be relevant for organic, CNG, and conventional growers.
DEC credits requested.