Professional development and pesticide recertification training for area farmers

Professional development and pesticide recertification training for area farmers

-by Elizabeth Buck, Fresh Market Vegetable Specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Cornell Vegetable Program

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (January 7, 2019) – The Cornell Vegetable Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County are hosting a regional meeting for fresh market produce growers. The meeting will take place from 9:30 to 3:30 on January 28, 2019 at 3542 Turner Rd., Jamestown, NY. Doors will open at 9:00 am. The Cornell Vegetable Program and Harvest NY production specialists and an expert panel of auction growers will be the featured speakers.

Growers will learn how to expand their growing season using high tunnels and other techniques, gain an understanding of strategic crop management approaches, and get a break-down of new food safety and invasive Spotted Lantern Fly regulations. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn how to prepare a strawberry field, which varieties to select, and how to raise and manage a strong, healthy crop.

Stemphyllium Leaf Blight limited the size of many onion crops in 2017 and 2018, and is becoming an increasingly troublesome plant disease. Christy Hoepting, a researcher with the Cornell Vegetable Program, will present the latest Cornell research results related to Stemphyllium Onion Blight, as well worm management in cole crops and a promising new Alternaria treatment to prevent head rot of broccoli.

The highlight of the day will be a special guest presentation by Mr. Linus Martin of the Buffalo Valley Produce Auction. Mr. Martin will share his secrets to successfully raising produce, meeting changing consumer demands, and expanding a marketing business over the course of his 31 year career. The meeting will conclude with a grower panel Q&A session.

Registration is required by 5 pm on January 21st to guarantee inclusion in the lunch count. There is a $20/person registration fee to cover lunch expenses and meeting handouts. Late registrations and walk-ins are accepted for an additional $5 fee, but cannot be guaranteed lunch. Online registrations are accepted at cvp.cce.cornell.edu/events.php?id=1070. Those with limited internet access may register by calling the Cornell Vegetable Program at 585-406-3419. This meeting is open to anyone interested in learning more about growing produce. Participants do not have to be associated with the Chautauqua Produce Auction to attend.

NY State DEC and Pennsylvania Bureau of Plant Industry pesticide recertification credits will be available to licensed applicators who present ID upon arrival and attend the entire meeting.

NY DEC categories: Agricultural Plant (1a) – 2.5 credits; Fruit (22) – 1.0 credit; Vegetable (23) – 1.75 credits; Greenhouse and Florist (24) – 0.5 credit.

PA categories: Private (PC) – 4 credits; Fruit and Nuts (02) – 2 credits; Vegetable Crops (03) – 3 credits; Demonstration and Research (18) – 4 credits.

The 2019 Chautauqua – Cattaraugus Produce Growers Meeting is one of many programs offered by the Cornell Vegetable Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua programing is planned to align with the County’s 20/20 Comprehensive Plan. CCE-Chautauqua is a community based educational organization, affiliated with Cornell University, Chautauqua County Government, the NYS SUNY system, and the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Last updated January 7, 2019