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

view details about Julie

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

view details about Christy

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

2018 Processing Snap Bean Advisory Meeting

December 4, 2018
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM, complimentary lunch following the meeting
Canandaigua, NY

Discuss the 2018 snap bean growing season and management concerns. Reports and discussion of the 2018 Snap Bean Research Projects funded by the Association. Review priorities and the role of the advisory group in applications for state and federal grants. Give your input on the format of future advisory meetings and future educational programs. 1.75 DEC recertification credits (categories 10, 1a, 23) will be offered.

2018 Processing Vegetable Crops Advisory Meeting

December 12, 2018
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM and 1:15 - 3:00 PM
Batavia, NY

Sweet corn, pea, beet, and carrot processing growers and industry members are invited to attend. Discuss the 2018 growing season and management concerns. Reports and discussion of the 2018 Projects funded by the New York Vegetable Research Council/Association. Review priorities and the role of the advisory group in applications for state and federal grants. Give your input on the format of future advisory meetings and future educational programs. 

2019 Empire State Producers EXPO

January 15 - January 17, 2019
1.25 hr sessions throughout each day
Syracuse, NY

The 2019 Empire State Producers Expo combines the major fruit, flower and vegetable associations of New York State in order to provide a comprehensive trade show and educational conference for New York producers, as well as the surrounding states and Eastern Canada. 

Checklist for Cleaning a Root Barrel Washer

Don't miss those hard-to-reach places in your root barrel washer! Here is a checklist of areas to remember to clean to obtain an acceptable level of cleanliness completed in a reasonable about of time. Critical cleaning points are identified. 

Cleaning Your Conveyor Produce Washing System

As we learn more about reducing microbial risk on the produce farm, more emphasis is being placed on cleaning food contact surfaces. Accessing the hard to reach spaces in wash line equipment is challenging. Most of the equipment was not made to come apart very easily or in an economically efficient manner. 

This step-by-step checklist provides visual guidelines and suggestions for reasonably cleaning your conveyor produce washing system.