Contact Us
If you know which specialist or staff member you would like to reach, their contact information is provided below. If, however, you are unsure whom to contact and you are a New York commercial vegetable producer, please use the inquiry form to the right and the appropriate team member will respond to your request.
Contact Cornell Vegetable Program

Julie Kikkert
Team Leader, Extension Vegetable SpecialistCCE Ontario County
480 North Main Street
585-394-3977 x404
Canandaigua, NY 14424-1049
phone 585-394-3977 x404
cell 585-313-8160
fax 585-394-0377
email Julie

Elizabeth Buck
Extension Vegetable SpecialistCCE Erie County
21 South Grove St
East Aurora, NY 14052
cell 585-406-3419
email Elizabeth

Robert Hadad
Extension Vegetable SpecialistRochester, NY
cell 585-739-4065
fax 585-753-2560
email Robert

Christy Hoepting
Extension Vegetable SpecialistCCE Orleans County
12690 Rt. 31
Albion, NY 14411
cell 585-721-6953
email Christy

Lori Koenick
Extension Support Specialistcell 585-469-5798
email Lori

Margie Lund
Extension Vegetable Specialistcell 607-377-9109
email Margie

Judson Reid
Extension Vegetable SpecialistCCE Yates County
417 Liberty Street
Penn Yan, NY 14527
phone 315-536-5123
cell 585-313-8912
fax 315-536-5117
email Judson

Angela Ochterski
Administrative AssistantCanandaigua, NY
phone 585-394-3977 x426
email Angela

Camila Ichazo
Technician IICCE Orleans
email Camila

Steve Reiners
Co-Team Leader, Cornell Universityemail Steve

Upcoming Events
Orleans Regional Winter Vegetable Meeting
February 9, 2026
Albion, NY
Topics include: Breeding and evaluating tomatoes to control disease and improve yield, jar testing and ensuring spray water quality, breaking down organic matter, FSMA updates and Q&A with Ag & Markets, and industry updates. Includes hands-on learning, coffee break, and sponsor booths.
DEC credits available: 1.0 in CORE plus 0.5 in 1a, 10 or 23
African Eggplant Participatory Breeding Kick-Off
March 5, 2026
Join us to learn about the Cornell African Eggplant Research Project and learn how you can participate! African eggplant, also known as Bitterball, Garden Egg, Kittley and other names, is an important crop for many members of our community with heritage from regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Brazil. Since 2024, the Cornell African Eggplant Research Project has been collaborating with growers and community partners across New York to develop high-quality varieties adapted to the Northeast U.S. In this meeting, we will share information about growing and preparing African eggplant, highlight our research to date, and invite partners to collaborate with us in our 2026 participatory breeding and variety selection efforts.
COST: FREE! You must pre-register to receive the Zoom link.
Managing the Invasive Swede Midge Webinar
March 6, 2026
Swede midge is an invasive fly that causes serious economic losses to brassica crops. Due to its small size and hidden feeding habits, swede midge is often called an "invisible pest" and damage may be misdiagnosed. In this webinar, we will review the swede midge life cycle and crop damage symptoms, current management recommendations, new research findings, and highlights from on-farm case studies with a focus on organic management.
1.75 DEC pesticide recertification credits in categories 1a, 10, and 23.