Southern Tier Crop Congress

• Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 9:45 AM - 2:30 PM

Location: Belfast Fire Hall

13 Merton Ave

Belfast, NY 14711

CCE Allegany County in conjunction with the Southwest NY Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops Team will be hosting the Southern Tier Crop Congress in Belfast, NY from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM. This meeting will feature recent updates in field crop production as we look into the 2026 growing season.



Sign in will begin at 9:45 am, and light morning refreshments will be available for you. At 10:00 AM, we will begin our morning season, breaking for a complementary lunch at which time you will be able to speak with industry representatives before we start our afternoon session.

Approved for following credits:

1.5DEC Recertification Credits in CORE, 1.75 in Category 1A, 21, & 1.0 in Category 10, 23.

2.0 CCA CEU Credits: 0.5 CM, 1.5 IPM

Fee is $15.00per person, payable at the door. Call in registration appreciated by January 23rd, please contact Kelly Torrey 585-268-7644 ext.10. Walk-ins accepted.

Don't Put All Your Seeds in One Basket

Katelyn Miller, Field Crops and Forage Specialist

Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

Harvest has been stretched out for many, but nonetheless, it's time to start thinking about ordering seed for the 2026 growing season. Winter is a good time to look back upon the last season and evaluate what went well and what didn't. Variety trial reports are also starting to become available, which can guide smart seed decisions.  

This growing season was less than ideal, causing yield and quality fluctuations across fields. We can't control the weather, but we can select hardy varieties that can tolerate more extremes. Seed availability is also shifting, such as the upcoming production halt of BMR corn. Picking out seed early increases your chances of being able to get the exact hybrids you want, as certain trait packaging or maturities may be limited in quantity, giving me to source other options if needed....

Read more here.

Reach out to Katelyn Miller, Field Crops Specialist for assistance, 716-640-2047 km753@cornell.edu.

I thought I was covered for that!

Farm Insurance Webinar Series

Jan-Feb 2026

• What if a disaster happens to your farm business?  Are you covered?
• What are the risks that you should be concerned about? 

This winter, Cornell Cooperative Extension Farm Business Management Specialists are offering 5 webinars on Tuesdays at lunch to help you understand different types of insurance policies and their typical provisions. Join us for one or for all five.  

Your registration on any date will give you a link to all five webinars.

Schedule:

1. January 13 (12:00-1:30) Insurance and Risk Management 101. This first webinar will cover many of the general provisions found in insurance policies and describe some of the terms to be aware of when you are considering your options. Steve Hadcock, Capital District Hort Team and FARMNET.
2. January 20 (12:00-1:30) Liability Insurance. Liability Insurance is coverage for the risk that your business will cause harm to someone. Are you having people on your farm or selling a food product? You might need liability insurance. Robert Hadad, Cornell Vegetable Program, Elizabeth Higgins, Eastern NY Commercial Hort Program.
3. January 27 (12:00-1:30) Crop Insurance and Disaster Coverage.  Federal programs to help farmers cover risk of crop and livestock and business losses from weather and natural disasters. Elizabeth Higgins, Eastern NY Commercial Hort Program.
4. February 3 (12:00-1:30) Insuring People.  Options for health insurance, life insurance and disability insurance, and how they can help farmers and their employees. Maire Ullrich, CCE Orange County and Lucas Smith, Cornell Ag Workforce Development.
5. February 10 (12:00-1:30): Property Insurance.  Insuring your infrastructure from loss. How much coverage do you need? Desiree Keever, CCE Delaware County and Colin Hostetter, NNY Ag Team.

To register, click the button below.

2026 Cornell Winter Fruit Webinar Series

January 22 & 29

February 12 & 19

March 12 & 19

11am-12:30pm (The Feb 12th webinar will run from 11am-1pm).

These webinars will provide updates on fruit-related topics and research happening at Cornell University.

These webinars will be held on Thursdays from 11am-12:30pm (The week 3 webinar will run from 11am-1pm). Topics include berries, tree fruits, insecticides, pathogen management, and mycorrhizal Fungi and more.

If you missed a webinar or just want to review one you've already seen, the recordings can be found at the yearly Winter Fruit Webinars playlist on the Cornell IPM Program YouTube Channel:

 https://www.youtube.com/@CornellIPM/playlists

NYSDEC Pesticide Recertification credits will be offered for indicated sessions. If you would like DEC Credits, please send a copy of your photo ID to Anna Wallis (aew232@cornell.edu) To receive credits you will need to attend the entire webinar on your own computer/device, and complete the required Google Form survey at the beginning and again at the end of the webinar.

Webinars are hosted by NYSIPM, CCE Harvest NY, CCE LOFP, and CCE ENYCHP.

For more information on the topics covered, NYSDEC Pesticide Recertification credits, and registration, click the button below.

Photo: Pexels, public domain

2026 Finger Lakes Produce Auction Winter Growers Meeting

January 8, 2026

8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Location:

Finger Lakes Produce Auction

3691 NY-14A

Penn Yan, NY 14527

Cost: FREE!

Host:

Cornell Vegetable Program

Judson Reid

585-313-8912

email Judson Reid

At this vegetable grower-focused meeting, ag industry experts will discuss food safety, disease management in strawberries, the benefits of using cover crops, plus more. Two grower panel discussions will focus on pest management techniques and irrigation.

DEC recertification credits offered: 

• 2.75 in categories 10 and 1a
• 1.0 in categories 21 and 24
• 2.0 in category 23
• 0.75 in category 22
• 
  

FREE to attend. No pre-registration required.

AGENDA

8:30 AM Coffee, Re-certification Credit sign-in, visit vendors

9:00 Welcome and Auction Updates -- Ray Hoover, Chair Finger Lakes Produce Auction

9:15 Food safety: 3 practices to implement now: a farmer's experience and common sense approach -- Caroline Boutard-Hunt, Cornell Cooperative Extension Yates County

9:45 Strawberries: Disease management updates and proper varieties -- Anya Stansell, CCE Harvest NY Berry Specialist

10:00 Cover Crops to reduce soil borne disease and insects, prevent erosion and improve soil health -- Todd Anderson and Tom Eskildson, Yates County Soil and Water Conservation District

11:00 Coffee Break

11:15 Programmable Plant Systems -- Margaret Frank, Associate Professor, Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

11:45 Updates from Sponsors and Vendors -- Seed and ag input companies will have 5 minutes to share product news.

12:00 PM Lunch

1:15 Grower Panel -- Saint Lawrence Valley Produce Auction growers, moderated with NYS specific pest control from Judson Reid, Cornell Vegetable Program

2:00 Irrigation Panel -- local growers and vendors will share experiences on irrigation for produce crops: how to set up a system, how often and how much water to optimize yield and crop health.

3:00 Credit distribution and Adjourn

Note: This training IS NOT a substitute for the 30-hour eligibility course. For more information on upcoming 30-hour eligibility courses, search listings on the NYSPAD website here. This program is hosted by Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture. Training manuals are available through the Cornell Bookstore. If you are in Steuben County and need assistance with ordering, reach out to Anne Zschoche at 607-664-2568.

For more information and to register click the button below.

Looking for Pesticide Credits?

Remember to always refer to NYSPAD! All opportunities offering credits must be registered so you can search for upcoming events in Steuben and other nearby Counties to find one that fits your schedule most conveniently!

Access the NYSPAD Bureau of Pesticides Management - Information Portal

If you need help contact CCE Agriculture Dept, 607-664-2574.

PRO-DAIRY offers a suite of dairy production online courses that are completed by students from across the country and around the world. Some dairy production management background is helpful, but the courses include basic to advanced content taught by leaders in the field.

Courses are offered in an on-demand format, enabling students to begin the course at their convenience and complete it within six months of enrollment, on their own schedule. Through the virtual classroom, students have access to pre-recorded presentations and supplemental materials and assessments are integrated within course modules to reinforce concepts. Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate of completion and can request continuing education credits from the Cornell University School of Continuing Education.

Course registration:

Participant course fee: $250

Learn More Here

Register Here

Ag Energy NY website has been updated making it easier to access guidance for different types of farm's needs!

Now offering one-on-one consultations for all your ag energy needs, including Solar and Wind Energy! If you are thinking about leasing land to alternative energy, set up a consultation to learn more about how your decisions impact you in the long run!

Contact Gabriel Gurley, rg523@cornell.edu for assistance and additional information!

Winter Downtime on your Farm or Agritourism Business? Don't forget to get listed on Finger Lakes Farm Country

Finger Lakes Farm Country (FLFC) also makes it easy for visitors and locals to find farm experiences, farm stays, and trip ideas..

From family gatherings at a restaurant offering farm-to-table options to various on farm experiences, you can plan a fun adventure centered around Steuben County Agriculture right from Finger Lakes Farm Country.

Farm producers and agritourism business owners, don't forget to list your events with FLFC! If you aren't a listed producer/farm and would like to be,

Complete The Participation Form

Check out the current listings to see how your farm fits right in.

If you have questions about Finger Lakes Farm Country, please contact Kevin Peterson at kpeterson@corningfingerlakes.com or call 607-936-6544.

Photo Above: Black Capped Chickadee

A fun and inquisitive little bird, easily attracted to bird feeders. Check out the Cornell Lab All About Birds webpage to learn some interesting facts: "Chickadee calls are complex and language-like, communicating information on identity and recognition of other flocks as well as predator alarms and contact calls. The more dee notes in a chickadee-dee-dee call, the higher the threat level." (Cornell Lab, All About Birds)

What is that on that branch - is it killing my tree? That is lichen. Lichens are two organisms, a fungi and algae (or a cyanobacteria) the occur together in a symbiotic (mutually beneficial) relationship. The fungi provide protection for the photosynthetic partner (algae or cyanobacteria) that produces energy for both. There are thousands of types of lichens composed of different fungi and algae, and some types of cyanobacteria. Lichens are not killing your tree simply using it as a home and taking nothing in return except for sunlight. However, if a tree is in decline, losing leaves and subsequently allowing more light to the branches, you may see an increase in the amount of lichen growing. The lichen is not directly causing a decline in tree health.

2026 Tristate Greenhouse IPM Workshops!

“Practical Solutions for Greenhouse IPM”

When & Where: Online via Zoom

Session 1: Friday,  January 16th  1:00 – 3:30pm

Session 2: Friday, January 23rd  1:00 – 3:30pm

What’s it all about:

These workshops are for growers with greenhouses or high tunnels, extension specialists and professional pest managers. Growers of all experience levels and from any state are welcome to attend any location. PAT recertification credits (number pending) to be awarded for attending both sessions (approved in VT and states accepting reciprocal credits, pending in NY). Must be present and actively participate to receive credit. Sessions will include information on safe and effective pesticide use, weed management in greenhouses and the economics and efficacy of the crazee mite, a new biological control agent available in the US. Program information is attached. Preregistration is required. $50.00 (includes both sessions).

How to Register:

Direct Registration Link: https://na.eventscloud.com/ereg/index.php?eventid=866178&

Questions? Contact Cheryl Frank Sullivan at 802-656-5434 | cfrank@uvm.edu

Session 1

Friday, January 16, 2026

1:00 – 3:30 pm

1:00- 1:05 Welcome ~ Margaret Skinner, Univ. of VT

1:05 – 2:00 Practical Pesticide Use: The Basics ~ Sarah Kingsley-Richards, UVM

Pesticide Safety Education Program

2:00 – 2:20 Grower Discussion on Practical Issues with Pesticide Use. Led by

Gary Fish, State Horticulturist, ME Dept. of Ag. Conservation &

Forestry

2:20 – 2:30 Break

2:30 – 3:15 How do Insecticides Work? ~ Doug VanHoewyk, ME Dept. of Ag,

Conservation & Forestry, Board of Pesticide Control

3:15 – 3:30 Regional Report. ~ Ann Hazelrigg, UVM & Hillary Peterson, ME Dept.

of Ag, Conservation & Forestry.

Closing ~ Cheryl Frank Sullivan, Univ. of VT

Session 2

Friday, January 23, 2026

1:00 – 3:30 pm

1:00- 1:05 Welcome ~ Margaret Skinner, Univ. of VT

1:05 – 2:00 Solving Greenhouse Weed Problems with IPM ~ Manjot Sihu,

Univ. of ME, Ext. Specialist, Ornamental Horticulture

2:00 – 2:10 Break

2:10 – 3:00 Get Crazy with the Crazee Mite ~ Taro Saito, Senior Researcher,

Vineland Research & Innovation Center, Canada

3:00 – 3:30 IPM Frontiers: Focus on Grower-friendly Microscopes ~ Hillary

Peterson, ME Dept. of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry

Closing ~ Cheryl Frank Sullivan, Univ. of VT

Develop Your Diagnostic Skills Webinar Series

An online series aimed at providing the tools needed to investigate threats to plant health.

Are you interested in improving your plant disease diagnostic skills? The Develop Your Diagnostic Skills (DYDS) webinar series is a unique training opportunity developed specifically for those that give advice, answer questions, and educate others on plant health and plant disease issues. The diagnosticians from Cornell University’s Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic will provide 12-hours of comprehensive content in a 6-week course that will focus on recognition of important plant diseases and the pathogens that cause them, grouping diseases by symptom expression to discuss identification techniques and damage caused, and offering interactive learning exercises to practice and hone diagnostic skills.

Module 1: DYDS; Threats to Plant Health

Module 2: DYDS; Leaf Spots and Tatters and Blights…Oh My!

Module 3: DYDS; The Wilted & the Wounded (vascular wilts and cankers)

Module 4: DYDS; Rots and Diebacks with a Vengeance

Module 5: DYDS; People & Plant Diseases; The Good, the Bad and the Helpful

Module 6: DYDS; Case by Case Whodunits

Pesticide credits. 

Modules 1, 2, 4, 5, & 6 – 2 CEUs for each module in categories 1a, 2, 3a, 3c, 10, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25; Module 3: 2 CEUs in categories 1a, 2, 3a, 10, 21, 22, 23, 25 (no 3c and 24).

Fee:  $300/person for all six modules.

        $250/person for Cornell Cooperative Extension employees & volunteers

           Large groups of 5+, contact Shari Romar at sr369@cornell.edu

For details and registration, check out the PDDC webpage for the webinar series.

I attached our poster, please feel free to share this with anyone you think may be interested in this type of training.

Cut Flower Industry in New York

As of the 2022 census, New York has over 700 cut flower growers across the state with a total sale of cut flowers over $10.5 million.

Want to catch up on past webinars, find the YouTube recordings here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIQZEU24Sxtb0CL4Jk8n-Qg

What's Bugging You?

Join Live, on the first Friday of every month from Noon to 12:30 EST on Zoom.

Each month, experts will share practical information and answer questions on using integrated pest management (IPM) to avoid pest problems and promote a healthy environment where you live, work, learn and play. We’ll end with an IPM Minute and cover a specific action you can take in the next few days to help you avoid pest problems.

Watch the past Event presentations Here.

Register for the 2026 events by clicking the schedule below.

Learn more about the 2026 What’s Bugging You First Friday schedule here.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Steuben County 

20 East Morris Street | Bath, New York 14810

607-664-2300  |  smw272@cornell.edu  |  PutKnowledgeToWork.org

Cornell Cooperative Extension puts knowledge to work in pursuit of economic vitality,

ecological sustainability and social well-being. We bring local experience and

research based solutions together, helping New York State families and

communities thrive in our rapidly changing world.

Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

CCE does not endorse or recommend any specific product or service.

This newsletter is solely intended to educate consumers about their choices.