The New York Farm Viability Institute announced the award of $1.6 million in funding for 20 projects that aim to help farmers across the state improve improve yields, lower input costs, reach new markets and develop new opportunities.
Some projects of horticultural interest include:
- Optimizing use of native persistent nematodes for biological control of Plum Curculio in organic and conventional apple production (Arthur Agnello, Entomology)
- Developing a mechanical method to seed undervine cover crops in NY winegrape vineyards (Hans Walter-Peterson, Finger Lakes Grape Program)
- Use of under vine fescues in Long Island vinifera vineyards to reduce production costs and environmental impact (Alice Wise, CCE Suffolk County)
- Insects On-Line: Forecasting insect management for nursery and Christmas tree growers (Elizabeth Lamb, NYS Integrated Pest Management Program)
- Insect-killing nematodes for biocontrol of greenhouse thrips and fungus gnats (John Sanderson, Entomology)
- Developing a sustainable hops IPM program from greenhouse to harvest (Tim Weigle, NYS Integrated Pest Management Program)
- Minimizing wildlife impacts on yield and food safety risk in vegetables by utilizing repellency tactics (Darcy Telenko, Cornell Vegetable Program)
- Adoption of controlled release nitrogen fertilizer in potato production (Rebecca Wiseman, CCE Suffolk County)
- Onion growers can reduce rot! (Steven Beer, Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology)