October 19, 2010
Contact: Amy Ivy, Cornell Cooperative Extension, 518-561-7450

New York State Berry and Vegetable Specialists to Speak at Nov. 13 Workshop
— Start-ups Invited to Join Commercial Growers

Northern New York – On November 13, 2010, New York State’s Vegetable and Berry Specialists will present information to help people interested in beginning to grow everything from squash to strawberries and those already involved in commercial fruit and vegetable production. The Cornell Cooperative Extension Associations of Northern New York have organized the 10am to 3pm program at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Learning Farm in Canton, NY, with funding in part from the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program.

The November 13 workshop speakers include New York State Vegetable Specialist Judson Reid, New York State Berry Specialist Cathy Heidenreich, Regional Vegetable and Berry Specialist Laura McDermott, Horticulture Educator/CCE Clinton County Executive Director Amy Ivy, and local and regional growers.

Heidenreich says, “Season extension techniques in berry crops, including use of early, mid and late season varieties; plant manipulation, such as deblossoming and pinching; and environment manipulation, including use of floating row covers and low and high tunnels, may add 10- to 14 days to both ends of the growing season.”

Heidenreich adds that the benefits of season extension include capturing early and late season pricing differences along with improved yield, fruit quality, and shelf life.

The November 13 workshop topics include selecting the right type of production system for your land, time and management resources; irrigation strategies; soil management; and recordkeeping of costs to determine which crops are profitable, budgeting for investing in a high tunnel and projected payback.

Ivy says, “This workshop is focused on how growers in Northern New York can extend their growing, harvesting, and sales seasons through the use of a number of production systems. “Row covers, low tunnels, hoop houses and high tunnels are some of the devices that can extend the Northern New York season well into the fall and help growers get an early start the following spring.

Cost for the 10am to 3pm program, materials and lunch is $20; registration with CCE St. Lawrence County at 315-379-9192 is required by November 10. For more information, contact Amy Ivy at CCE Clinton County, 518-561-7450.

The farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program supports research, technical assistance and outreach for dairy, crop, fruit, vegetable, maple, and biofuel producers in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. Learn more online at www.nnyagdev.org. #