Cornell research orchard seeks the perfect apple [Associated Press 2013-09-27] – Profiles Cornell’s apple breeding program under the leadership of Susan Brown. “The orchards, part of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, are essentially a 50-acre lab devoted to developing apples that are tasty for consumers and hardy for farmers. The station has released 66 apple varieties over more than a century including Cortland, Macoun and two new entries at farm markets this fall: SnapDragon and RubyFrost. See also video (below) and photo gallery.
Ten Cornell specialty crops projects get USDA funding [Cornell Chronicle 2013-09-26] – Ten of the 11 research projects announced by N.Y. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo Sept. 25, supported by more than $900,000 in federal funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), will go to Cornell projects. They range from improving the resiliency of New York’s crops to expanding the reach of New York state’s agricultural sector. This funding includes $154,000 to support the state’s wine and grape industry.
From humble peanut to lifesaving legume [Cornell Chronicle 2013-09-23] – Cornell researchers, students and alumni are working alongside aid agencies in Haiti and Kenya to transform the humble peanut into a lifesaving legume. One is Bryan Sobel, M.S. ’13, who is working as a research and extension programs specialist for Meds and Food for Kids. Sobel, who once worked in the nursery industry and studied agroforestry with associate professor of horticulture Ken Mudge as part of his graduate studies, hopes his hands-on background in agriculture will allow him to adapt well to Haiti’s dynamic agricultural systems.