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
2025 Muck Onion Growers Twilight Meeting in Oswego

June 26, 2025
Oswego, NY
Open to all Onion Enthusiasts, the Muck Onion Growers Twilight Meeting will include new fungicide recommendations for Botrytis leaf blight and Stemphylium leaf blight, onion maggot seed treatment update, herbicide demonstration tour, and more. This educational event is immediately followed by a catered dinner; both are FREE thanks to generous sponsors!
2.0 DEC recertification credits available in categories 1a, 10 and 23.
Ontario Produce Auction Growers Meeting
July 15, 2025
Stanley, 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.
Orleans Summer Vegetable Meeting, 2025

July 16, 2025
Waterport, NY
Meeting themes are pest management in a wide array of produce and best practices for pesticide use. Professor Brian Nault will cover allium leaf miner and thrips in onions, garlic, and leeks, and discuss insect challenges in other crops. Bring your questions! We'll also have a field walk that includes high tunnel tomato and cucumber.
DEC credits available: 0.5 in CORE plus either 1.25 in 1a and 23, or 0.75 in 24.