Due to the surge in Covid-19 cases, the Empire EXPO has moved to a virtual format. Many of the sessions will be rescheduled for later this winter, but the full day of Berry Sessions will still be held on the original date of Wednesday, January 12th. If you already registered for this meeting through the EXPO website, a Zoom link for the berry sessions will be sent early next week via email. If you register NOW, you will also receive an email early next week with the Zoom link.
Register for the EXPO Berry Sessions HERE. https://www.nysbga.org/products/empire-state-producers-expo-berry-sessions
If you have already registered for the EXPO, there is no need to register again. . If you registered for 3 days or for Wednesday, January 12, you will be emailed a Zoom link to attend the Berry session.
NYS DEC credits will be available. You must register in advance and include your DEC pesticide applicator license number with your registration. Please read the session descriptions below for more information on the credits available.
Please reach out to aco56@cornell.edu if you have any questions.
EMPIRE EXPO 2022– Berry Sessions
January 12, 2022
Session I – 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Berry Production in Containers – 1.0 NYS DEC credit
8:45 AM Attendees log in early for DEC credits. We must have your DEC number at time of registration and please have your card with you
9:00 AM Welcome and Sponsor Information
9:05 AM Trends in North American greenhouse strawberry production and possible applications for northeastern farms – Neil Mattson, Cornell
Dr. Mattson will discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of protected and containerized production.
9:30 AM Ongoing work in container production of strawberry and caneberries – Kathy Demchak, Pennsylvania State University
This talk will discuss in more specifics what growers will need to consider when starting to grow in containers.
10:00 AM Our experience growing berries in containers – Mark MacDonald, Bee Tree Berry Farm, Bellafonte, PA
Mark is a grower with 7 years of containerized and protected culture experience. His perspective on managing pests and marketing a crop will be helpful to new growers.
10:15 AM Adjourn
Session II – 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Focus on Blueberries – 0.5 NYS DEC credit
10:45 AM Attendees log in early for DEC credits. We must have your DEC number at time of registration and please have your card with you.
11:00 AM Welcome and Sponsor Information
11:05 AM Blueberry breeding efforts at USDA – Mark Ehlenfeldt, USDA-ARS, Chatsworth, NJ
This talk will outline what the focus for breeders is and how growers can take advantage of new varieties attributes.
11:25 AM Best approaches to weed management in blueberries – Thierry Bescanon, Rutgers
Dr. Bescanon will discuss weed management strategies that will include herbicides and cultural approaches.
11:55 PM Managing pH in blueberry irrigation water pH – Elizabeth Machoff, Empire Drip Supply, Williamson, NY and Laura McDermott, CCE ENYCHP
Proper pH in soil AND in irrigation water is key to excellent growth – it will also impact how well plants respond to attacks from pests. Learn how to make sure irrigation water is perfectly matched to your plants needs.
12:15 PM New York State Berry Growers Association Annual Meeting – Liz Machoff, President
12:30 PM Adjourn
Session III – 2:15 PM – 2:20 PM
Berry Crop Sustainability – 0.5 NYS DEC credits
2:00 PM Attendees log in early for DEC credits. We must have your DEC number at time of registration and please have your card with you.
2:15 PM Welcome and Sponsor Information
2:20 PM From berries to wine: value-added products for berry growers – Dave Duda, Duda’s Blues, Machias, NY
Learn how Duda’s Blues has turned a perishable product into a delicious and profitable fruit wine.
2:40 PM Berry pricing survey – Kris Park, Cornell
Results of 2021 Berry Pricing Survey reveal lots of room for improved profitability.
3:00 PM Managing flowering plants, weeds, and pollinators for strawberry production – Heather Grab, Cornell (In Person)
Manage pests and weeds while preserving pollinator health and numbers. This important topic will help growers preserve their natural pollinators.
3:20 PM Adjourn
3:45 PM – 5:00 PM Session IV
Unusual Fruit and Nuts – No DEC credits for this session
3:45 PM Welcome and Sponsor Information
3:50 PM Nuts for the Northeast – Samantha Bosco, Cornell
Nut crops may offer berry growers another valuable cash crop while using land that is less than perfect for berry crops.
4:10 PM Commercial production of Kiwifruit – Iago Hale, University of New Hampshire
Hardy kiwifruit offers growers a late season, long storing delicious fruit crop.
4:30 PM Introduction to juneberry production – Mike Davis, Cornell
Juneberries are earlier than many other fruit and have delicious flavor.
4:45 PM Growing honeyberries in northern NY – Duane Smith, Seaway Cold Hardy Grapes, Evans Mills, NY
Hascap or honeyberry are very hardy and could offer an early cash crop.
5:00 PM Adjourn