Your success is our success! We host a variety of educational workshops and Field Days to give berry growers like you the tools you need to protect and improve your crops, learn the latest in farming techniques, and market your business. We also keep you up-to-date on other industry events.
NYSBGA Events
Other Events
March 6
Berry 101 with Anya Stansell - Harvest NY Small Fruit Extension Specialist
Virtual
TOPICS:
Anya Stansell (Harvest NY Small Fruit Extension Specialist) | Berry 101 production notes (15 mins): essential info to know before planting strawberries, blueberries, raspberries
CCE berry research update (10 mins) | review of research projects we are doing to help berry growers.
Don Gasiewicz, CCE Wyoming Horticulture and Natural Program Manager | Nutrient analysis testing, services and how-to for soil and plant health nutrient analysis testing.
Hannah Young, Resource Conservationist with Wyoming County Natural Resource Conservation Service | NRCS EQIP and CSP Programs and applicable practices: tunnels, irrigation, conservation cover, pollinator habitat, etc.
Grower-led discussion and Q&A
Register at https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/6rgMeUorQlub_UAeJksNhg.
March 12
Understanding Cold Hardiness Risks in Fruit Crops
Virtual
This presentation will provide research updates on factors affecting cold hardiness in tree fruit. Speakers include Dr. Jason Londo, Cornell AgriTech, and Dr. Renae Moran, University of Maine. Register at bit.ly/nefc-2025-cold-hardiness.
Multiple dates in March
Respirator Fit Testing Clinics
Register early as these slots will fill up! Call 1-800-343-7527 or email fittest@bassett.org
March 18, 12 PM - 3 PM- Hudson Valley Research Lab, 3357 Route 9W, Highland, 12528
March 19, 9 AM - 12 PM- Hudson Valley Research Lab, 3357 Route 9W, Highland, 12528
March 26, 12 PM - 5 PM- CCE Columbia/Greene,479 NY 66, Hudson, 12534
March 27, 8 AM - 1 PM- CCE Columbia/Greene,479 NY 66, Hudson, 12534
May 21,12:30 PM-4 PM- Pine Island Fire House,684 County Route 1,Pine Island, 10969
May 22, 8 AM -12 PM- Pine Island Fire House,684 County Route 1,Pine Island, 10969
Multiple dates in March and April
UNH 2025 Pruning Demonstrations
New Hampshire
The UNH Extension Fruit and Vegetable Team is gearing up for this year's pruning demonstrations. The focus of these demos will be tree fruit, small fruit and ornamentals. Each event will highlight a different mix of crops based on what is grown at the demonstration host's site.
Additional events are still being finalized and pesticide recertification credits are pending at this time. Please check our website for the most current information. There is no fee for these workshops. Suggested donation, $5.
March 1 | 9:30 am - 12:00 pm: Apple, Blueberry, Raspberry Pruning Demonstration in Newport
March 1 | 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Kiwiberry Pruning Demonstration in New London
March 8 | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm: Blueberry Pruning Demonstration in New Hampton
March 14 | 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Apple Pruning Demonstration in Tamworth
March 25 | 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm: Blueberry and Grape Pruning Demonstration in Durham
March 27 | 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Raspberry and Apple Pruning Demonstration in Whitefield
March 29 | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm: Blueberry Pruning Demonstration in Bethlehem
April 5 | 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Ornamental Pruning Demonstration in Keene
April 18 | 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Blueberry Pruning Demonstration in Stratham
Ongoing
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in Rural America
Virtual
Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and NY FarmNet, in partnership with Rural Minds, has launched a free online course, “Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in Rural America,” designed to give learners practical support strategies and resources to navigate mental health challenges in rural communities. Tailored for veterinarians, students, and agribusiness professionals, the course reviews specific mental health issues, including suicide, in rural America and provides information to mitigate them. Take the class at ecornell.cornell.edu/custom/rural-mental-health.
On demand
NAFDMA Virtual Agritourism Workshop
Helene’s Hilltop Orchard transitioned a family dairy farm into an orchard in 1979 and added a bakery in 1992. As the apples grew, so did their business. Today, the orchard is owned by Mark and Olivia Telschow. Olivia shares her knowledge of the bakery as she learned it working hands-on in the kitchen, adding the commercial bakery operation to their agritourism farm. Everything from production tips to equipment to operational checklists will be shared. Register here.
On demand
Employee Engagement Virtual Workshop
Regardless of size or seasonality, every agritourism business seeks to create a culture that attracts, nurtures, and keeps employees engaged in their operation from year to year. This Virtual Workshop highlights three farms that illustrate a level of successful employee culture that we can all take lessons from to emulate in our own operations. More info & register here.
Mondays, throughout the season
Tree Fruit Pest Management discussions
Hudson Valley Research Laboratory entomologist Peter Jentsch, friends, and guests invite you to join in discussions on Tree Fruit Pest Management from 6:00-7:00 a.m. each Monday morning through the season via Zoom. The Zoom meeting will open at 5:45 a.m. for you to link into the meeting and get your coffee. More information at https://tinyurl.com/2vebwmnu.
On demand
Pruning & Training of Berries, Kiwifruit, and Grapes
Webinar series
Join Bernadine Strik, professor of horticulture at Oregon State University, for this multicourse, on-demand series. Designed to provide all the information you need to prune and train berry crops, the series includes 4 to 8 self-paced narrated lectures totaling up to 2.5 hours on table grapes, kiwifruit, and berries—including raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Register for just one module or get a discount on the series.