Team Kathy’s Crewsaders

Members of our Station community and other family and friends of Kathy DeRosa took part in the Geneva Relay for Life at Geneva High School on Saturday, June 15.  Our team was Kathy’s Crewsaders and we came together in honor of Kathy DeRosa and other family and friends who have been touched by cancer.

The event was a great success and everyone had a fun evening. Our team raised $1,450 in support of the American Center Society.  Thanks to all who participated in the relay and to all those across the Station who gave monetary contributions and other acts of kindness.

Our show of support meant a great deal to Kathy and to all those currently battling or recovering from cancer.

Click here to view more pictures

Thanks,

Kathy’s Crewsaders Team!

The Administrative Service Center’s 2013 Service Recipients were recognized at a special coffee break on June 14th for their years of dedication to NYSAES. Congratulations to Kathy DeRosa (30 years), Gemma Osborne (20 years), Holly King (20 years), and Shelly Cowles (15 years). Let’s thank them for their service to the Station!

Congratulations to Jacob Morgan of Union Springs High School and Jose Mendoza Castro of Geneva High School, awardees of the 2013 Advancement of Agricultural Studies Scholarship by the Student Association of the Geneva Experiment Station (SAGES)!

Applications are accepted each spring from seniors at twenty-one high schools in the Geneva and Ithaca areas, and winners are selected based on their interest in pursuing degrees in a field related to agriculture, strong academic performance, and demonstrated leadership experience. This fall, Jacob will be attending Cornell University to study dairy science, and Jose will be attending Finger Lakes Community College to study viticulture.

Thank you to everyone who purchased apple cider from SAGES, participated in last year’s pumpkin-growing contest, or donated to the SAGES scholarship fund. With your support, we have been able to help nine local high school students pursue their interest in agriculture since the scholarship was first awarded in 2009!

Susan Brown has been named associate director of Cornell’s New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, effective July 1.

Susan Brown, associate chair of the Department of Horticulture and Herman M. Cohn Professor of Agriculture and Life Sciences, has been named associate director of the New York Agricultural Experiment Station (NYSAES), effective July 1.

On behalf of the entire College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University, I want to express my sincere appreciation to Susan Brown for accepting this position,” said Kathryn Boor, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of CALS. “Susan offers a unique and essential mix of highly respected scientific expertise; a background of forward thinking administrative leadership; and a deep commitment to the critical work being done at NYSAES in applied research, extension, and education.”

Brown runs one of the largest tree fruit breeding programs in the world. She has released four apple varieties—Fortune, Autumncrisp, New York 1 and New York 2—and is the co-inventor of ten sweet cherries and one tart cherry. Brown’s research combines breeding and genetics to improve apple quality, disease resistance, nutritional qualities and tree architecture. Her professional achievements have been recognized with a 2013 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service, a 2012 CALS Alumni Association Outstanding Faculty Award, and her selection for the 2013 Leading Cornell program.

“I am so pleased that Susan has accepted the associate director position for the Station. Throughout her career she has demonstrated strong leadership along with exceptional accomplishment in research,” said Tom Burr, CALS associate dean and Goichman Family director of the NYSAES. “New York’s food and agriculture sectors are facing critical challenges, and to have someone of Susan’s caliber helping to direct the Station’s role in meeting them is fortunate for us all.”

As associate director, Brown will work with Burr and assistant director Marc Smith on developing a strategic plan for NYSAES to remain an engine of agricultural innovation and economic development in the upstate New York economy. In addition, they will collaborate on major initiatives including working with stakeholders to secure funding for applied research at NYSAES and its satellite campuses including the Hudson Valley Laboratory and the Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory.

Brown has experience in new funding models for research. In 2010, she ushered through the first licensing agreement between Cornell and a newly formed grower cooperative, the New York State Apple Growers (NYAG) LLC, which is streamlining the commercialization process for the two most recent apple releases while increasing CALS’ return on investment in long-term breeding work.

“The people and resources at NYSAES have played a key role in my evolution as a scientist, and in my new role I will work to ensure that our strong tradition of mentoring continues, so that we will continue to develop tomorrow’s leaders in science,” said Brown. “I am looking forward to working with Tom, Marc, the Station community, CALS and Cornell to continue our strong legacy and to help build a new vision for the future.”

Brown received a B.S. from the University of Connecticut in 1978, an M.S. from Rutgers University in 1980, and a Ph.D. from the University of California-Davis in 1984. She joined the Cornell faculty in 1985.

Amanda Garris Ph.D. ’04 is the agricultural stations communications officer for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Robert Davis and Marion Thomas with dehydrated carrots–a bushel per brick–during World War II when the Station was working on dehydration for food for the troops.

As part of Geneva Night Out on Friday, June 7,  the Geneva Historical Society will open a new exhibit,  Scientific Investigation: A History of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station.

From the exhibit announcement:

The Experiment Station may be Geneva’s best-kept secret. Few people, outside of its employees, probably know what happens at the Station, and the word “experiment” may make the imagination run wild. Established by the State Legislature in 1880 and opened in 1882, the Station was part of an international movement toward scientific agricultural research. Scientific Investigation will explore the original mission of the Station, how it has changed over the years, and how some of their research benefits all of us. This exhibit will open  at 543 South Main Street, on the lower level in the gallery adjacent to the Hucker Gallery and will be on display until March 2014.
For more information on and directions for tonight’s event, click here.

This week, early birds arriving on bike and foot were treated to free breakfasts prepared by Station volunteers to celebrate Bike and Walk to Work Week. The event has been going strong since 1996, and Jennifer Grant of Integrated Pest Management once again organized the volunteers and served as Mistress of Ceremonies, distributing prizes generously donated by the Station Club and the Geneva Bicycle Center.

“It’s a pleasure hanging out with people who care about exercise and the environment, and everyone chips in to make this event easy to put on,” said Grant. “Over the years, many Station employees have been inspired by their colleagues to ride and walk more. There’s always a way to figure out the logistics for a more eco-friendly commute.”

Friday is the last day to join in the fun at  Jordan Pavilion between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m.  French crepes await, rain or shine!

Just in time for the summer tourist season on wine trails across the state, the Cornell Enology Extension team offered a crash course in viticulture, the mechanics of winemaking, the answers to common consumer questions, as well as the latest research on wine consumer behavior, as part of a workshop at Cornell’s New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva (NYSAES) May 14.

For more, click here.

Please join NYSAES and CALS Communications in welcoming Amanda

Amanda Garris

Garris as the Agricultural Experiment Stations Communications Officer. Amanda is certainly a familiar face here, and we are thrilled that she has come on-board in this capacity. As you probably know, Amanda has already been working on behalf of CALS as a star freelance writer, reporter, and editor for several years, and that wealth of knowledge and experience is a great asset.

She will be sharing time between Geneva and Ithaca, as this position supports both NYSAES and CUAES. If you haven’t already, stop by 130 Jordan Hall  to say hello!

“Results from poorly constructed scientific studies can enter the popular press and become urban legends,” said Shelton. “This has certainly been the case with issues on the environmental and human safety of products produced through biotechnology. Unfortunately, these instances have compromised the public’s opinion about the value of biotechnology.”

To read more, click here.