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High tunnels, low tunnels, protected culture – Workshops!

Protected Culture WORKSHOPS for Berry Growers!  Three workshops will be held—in Portland, NY on December 14th; in Syracuse, NY on January 17; and in Riverhead, NY on March 7. Yes, we're spreading the word on protected culture - high tunnels, low tunnels, and everything in between - with these workshops in Western NY, Central NY, and Long Island.

As dramatic weather events increase, pest pressure intensifies, and local markets vitalize, New York berry growers need ways to protect their crop and lengthen their season. Growers, educators and researchers are testing techniques for growing berries under cover and the current state of knowledge on protected culture will be shared with those attending these Workshops sponsored by the New York State Berry Growers Association (NYSBGA).

Plan now to attend one of these three regional workshops to learn more about these innovations in berry growing. These day-long workshops will feature multiple short presentations, hands-on activities, and reports from researchers, educators, and growers. Many New York State growers who are experimenting with growing under cover are having great successes and want to share those with you!  Just one testimonial on the benefits of protected culture ...I was able to supply my CSA members with strawberries right through the end of October.

Register soon! Registration for the Protected Culture Workshops is open! Download the NYSBGA Workshop Registration Form (www.hort.cornell.edu/grower/nybga/pdfs/workshops/Workshop Registration Form.pdf) from the NYSBGA website, fill it out and return it ASAP—don't miss out on the Western NY workshop, which is December 14th!  Workshop registration is $25 per person for NYSBGA Members, and $50 per person for Non-Members, which includes lunch and take-home materials.

The Portland, NY Workshop Program is packed with information, as the other two workshops will be, as well:

  • strawberry cultivars for low tunnels
  • choosing and recycling tunnel plastic
  • using tools to predict weather events
  • disease and insect management
  • growing raspberries in high tunnels
  • using exclusion netting to protect against SWD
  • hands-on activities
  • a take-home resource guide and supplies

Look for DEC pesticide applicator re-certification credits in categories 1A, 22, 23 and 10.

Participants can save on workshop registration by joining the NYSBGA. 2017 Membership is $125 and applies to two individuals per farm.  Associate Membership is $75 for non-profit agricultural professionals. Business members can join for $250 and receive two advertisements in the NYSBGA newsletter, which reaches berry growers throughout the state and online.

NYSBGA Workshop dates and locations:

December 14, 2016:
CLEREL (Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Lab)
6592 West Main Road, Portland, NY, 14769
Register by December 7th

January 17, 2017:
Oncenter Convention Center Syracuse, NY during the EXPO
Register for this workshop via the Empire State Producers EXPO at nysvga.org/expo/information/

March 7, 2017:
Cornell Cooperative Extension Suffolk County Extension Education Center
423 Griffing Avenue, Suite 100, Riverhead, New York 11901-3071
Register by February 28th

The workshops are sponsored by the NYS Berry Growers Association, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, with funding support from the NYS Legislature.

For more Workshop details visit: www.hort.cornell.edu/grower/nybga/
Contact: Cara Fraver, NYSBGA
(646) 284-7762
nysbga@gmail.com

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