Eastern New York Veg News

In this episode, vegetable specialist Elisabeth Hodgdon interviews Lindsey Pashow, ag business development and marketing specialist with the Cornell Cooperative Extension Harvest New York team. They discuss findings from a series of interviews with winter greens producers in northern New York. Lindsey shares production and marketing challenges associated with growing winter greens in this cold and rural part of the state, success stories and advice from growers, and tips for those interested in adding new crop enterprises to their operation. Funding for this project was provided by the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program. The episode was edited by Miles Todaro of the ENYCHP team. Resources: • Crop enterprise budget resources available from Penn State Extension (field and tunnel vegetables: https://extension.psu.edu/small-scale-field-grown-and-season-extension-budgets), UMass Extension (winter spinach budgets: https://ag.umass.edu/vegetable/outreach-project/improving-production-yield-of-winter-greens-in-northeast and field vegetables: https://ag.umass.edu/vegetable/fact-sheets/crop-production-budgets), and Cornell Cooperative Extension (high tunnel vegetables: https://blogs.cornell.edu/hightunnels/economics/sample-budgets-spreadsheets/). Use these budgets as templates when developing your own crop enterprise budget. • The Organic Farmer’s Business Handbook, by Richard Wiswall • The Winter Harvest Handbook, by Eliot Coleman For questions about the winter greens project discussed in this podcast, reach out to Lindsey Pashow (lep67@cornell.edu) or Elisabeth Hodgdon(eh528@cornell.edu).

Winter Greens Research Review March 17, 2022 Episode description: In this episode, vegetable specialists Ethan Grundberg, Elisabeth Hodgdon, Jud Reid, and grower Leon Vehaba discuss winter greens production in Eastern New York. They highlight research results from the past five years that aimed to develop nitrogen fertility and heating recommendations for winter high tunnel greens production. Leon discusses his lessons learned from his experience at the Poughkeepsie Farm Project and how he made changes to his greens production as a result. Funding and support for the research trials discussed were provided by: Organic nitrogen fertility management in winter spinach (Willsboro Farm and Pleasant Valley Farm trials): New York Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, Northern NY Agricultural Development Program, Toward Sustainability Foundation, Paul and Sandy Arnold of Pleasant Valley Farm, Mike Davis of the Cornell Willsboro Research Farm, and Amy Ivy and Andy Galimberti of the CCE ENYCHP. Nitrogen dynamics and yield response to minimal supplemental heating in high tunnel winter production: Northeast SARE Partnership grant and the Poughkeepsie Farm Project. Resources: Ethan and Leon’s report from their trials at the Poughkeepsie Farm Project: ‘Nitrogen dynamics and yield response to minimal supplemental heating in high tunnel winter production’ SARE grant final report: https://projects.sare.org/project-reports/one17-298/ Elisabeth and Jud’s results from their trials at the Willsboro Research Farm and Pleasant Valley Farm: Willsboro Research Farm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m94bE5DV5SI&t=10s Pleasant Valley Farm (research results and overview of winter greens production on the farm): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLK6jnc0YzA&t=12s

In this episode, Elisabeth Hodgdon discusses news and updates related to FSMA’s Produce Safety Rule with food safety specialist Gretchen Wall. They discuss inspection schedules for the 2021 season, On Farm Readiness Reviews, water testing, new resources available for growers, and more. Resources: Records Required by the FSMA Produce Safety Rule, by K. Woods, D. Stoeckel, B. Fick, G. Wall, and E.A. Bihn. This fact sheet includes an explanation of required records as well as printable record templates: https://producesafetyalliance.cornell.edu/sites/producesafetyalliance.cornell.edu/files/shared/documents/Records-Required-by-the-FSMA-PSR.pdf Upcoming Remote, Online, and In-Person Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Courses: https://producesafetyalliance.cornell.edu/training/grower-training-courses/upcoming-grower-trainings/ Interactive Google map of water testing labs, created by the Northeast Center to Advance Food Safety: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?amp%3Busp=sharing&mid=1C8KHM6jJszj9auYQttUbVtPKtb4eEBSJ&ll=41.22288057139939%2C-78.58548244999999&z=5\ Interested in joining the Produce Safety Alliance listserv? Sign up here to receive FSMA updates, notifications of educational opportunities and new resources, and more: https://producesafetyalliance.cornell.edu/ Contact Information: To schedule an On Farm Readiness Review or discuss your farm’s FSMA PSR coverage status, contact Steve Schirmer (315-487–0852 or steve.schirmer@agriculture.ny.gov), or Aaron Finley (518-474-5235 or aaron.finley@agriculture.ny.gov). Episode speakers: Elisabeth Hodgdon, ENYCHP vegetable specialist: 518-650-5323 or eh528@cornell.edu Gretchen Wall, Produce Safety Alliance coordinator and Northeast Regional Extension Associate: 607-882-3087 or glw53@cornell.edu

Weed scientist Dr. Lynn Sosnoskie discusses the threat posed by Palmer amaranth to specialty crops in the region with specialist Ethan Grundberg. Specific topics include Palmer amaranth identification, herbicide resistance, and management strategies. Resources: https://blogs.cornell.edu/weedid/pigweed-identification/ https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/WS/WS-51-W.pdf https://extension.psu.edu/invasive-pigweeds-palmer-amaranth-and-waterhemp#section-1

ENYCHP Veg News Farm and Field Updates with Teresa Rusinek “Understanding Fungicide Resistance and How to Avoid It” with Dr. Margaret McGrath of Cornell University In this this podcast ENYCHP vegetable specialist Teresa Rusinek interviews Dr. Margaret McGrath, of Cornell University School of Integrative Plant Science, to discuss the development of fungicide resistance in plant pathogens and steps growers can take to avoid it. Resources:...

Onion Thrips and Onion Maggot Management Recommendations with Dr. Brian Nault Cornell University vegetable entomologist Dr. Brian Nault discusses recommendations for managing onion thrips in 2021 with specialist Ethan Grundberg. Nault and Grundberg review basic principles of resistance management, using action thresholds to time insecticide applications, and season-long pesticide programs for managing thrips before discussing how the upcoming chlorpyrifos ban in New York will impact seedcorn...

Allium leafminer (ALM), a relatively new invasive species in the region, can cause devastating losses to scallions and leeks. Teresa Rusinek and Ethan Grundberg discuss their research to identify effective management strategies for the pest with host Crystal Stewart-Courtens. Northeast SARE Progress Report: https://projects.sare.org/project-reports/one19-336/ Details the findings from Rusinek and Grundberg’s research to evaluate row cover and insect netting compared to two applications of...

ENYCHP vegetable production specialist Teresa Rusinek is joined by Nick Skinner, UV researcher at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; grower Larry Eckhardt from Kinderhook Creek Farm and vegetable specialist Charles Bornt to discuss the development and implementation of ultra violet light dosing as a tool to manage some of the most challenging diseases in cucurbit crop production. For more information on UV technology for plant pathogen management, check out the website:...

Today we’d like to highlight a new podcast called “Into the Weeds” from our colleague Dr. Bryan Brown, the Integrated Weed Management Specialist with the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program based in Geneva, New York. In this fascinating episode, Bryan Brown, and guest Cerruti Hooks, Associate Professor & Extension Specialist at the University of Maryland, discuss how we can tailor our weed management to increase populations of beneficial insects. Some key terms used in this...

ENYCHP specialists Elisabeth Hodgdon and Crystal Stewart-Courtens discuss postharvest storage conditions to maintain vegetable quality over the winter, and food safety tips with Chris Callahan and Andy Chamberlin from UVM Extension. Resources for episode description: UVM Extension Ag Engineering Blog: go.uvm.edu/ageng Spray Tables for Farm Use: go.uvm.edu/spraytables Coolbots for Farm Use: go.uvm.edu/coolbot DIY Concrete Mixed Root Washer:...

The September 30, 2020 edition of the Eastern New York Vegetable News covers the following topics: Farmers Benefits from the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 or CFAP (1:10) Reflections on the Challenges and Successes Faced by Vegetable Growers in 2020 (4:40)

The September 10, 2020 edition of the Eastern New York Vegetable News covers the following topics: Planning for Fall Garlic Planting (1:15) The Beginning of the Fall Flight of Allium Leafminer (9:32) Managing Cabbage Aphids and Cucurbit Downy Mildew (11:31) Here are links to resources mentioned in this episode: Brassica Pest Collaborative website with links to recorded webinars, research reports, factsheets, and more: https://ag.umass.edu/vegetable/resources/brassica-pest-collaborative

The August 26th, 2020 edition of the Eastern New York Vegetable News covers the following topics: Gauging Winter Squash Maturity and Best Harvest Practices (1:05) Managing Nitrogen in Overwintered Spinach (9:32) Preparing for the Fall Flight of the Allium Leafminer (14:49) Virtual Winter Meeting Planning (20:48) Cucurbit Downy Mildew Regional Update (25:27) Here are links to resources mentioned in this episode: Managing Nitrogen in Overwintered Spinach Northern New York Agricultural...

The August 12, 2020 edition of the Eastern New York Vegetable News covers the following topics: • Onion Postharvest Considerations (1:10) • Managing Alternaria Leaf Spot and Head Rot in Broccoli (9:51) • Brassica Downy Mildew Getting an Early Start (16:28) • Produce Safety Considerations Following a Storm (20:58) Here are links to resources mentioned in this episode: Onion Postharvest Considerations Postharvest Cooling and Handling of Onions...

The July 29, 2020 edition of the Eastern New York Vegetable News covers the following topics: • Stink bug injury and gold flecking in tomatoes (1:14) • Pandemic unemployment assistance and COVID-19 tax credits for paid leave (5:51) • Pest management in wash/pack sheds (8:43) • 2020 Pea variety trial research results (13:41) • Irrigation for berry production (28:26) Here are links to research and resources mentioned in this episode: Pandemic unemployment insurance...

The July 15th, 2020 edition of the Eastern New York Vegetable News covers the following topics: • Early Blight and Leaf Pruning in Tomatoes (1:01) • Cucurbit Powdery Mildew Management (7:40) • Summer Cover Crop Options (14:23) • You Pick Successes (19:53) Here are links to research and resources mentioned in this episode: Cucurbit Powdery Mildew: Dr. Meg McGrath’s full article with 2020 management recommendations:...

The July 1st, 2020 edition of the Eastern New York Vegetable News covers the following topics: Cucurbit Downy Mildew Update (1:05) Changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (9:10) Managing Caterpillar Pests in Brassicas (12:53) Strawberry Renovation (17:56) Developing a Safety Plan to Comply with NY Forward Phased Re-Opening Requirements (24:12) Here are links to additional resources mentioned in the episode: NY Forward Safety Plans Introductory “how to” video for writing your plan:...

The June 17th, 2020 edition of the Eastern New York Vegetable News covers the following topics: Blossom End Rot and Soil Moisture Management in Fruiting Crops (1:07) Stemphylium Leaf Blight Management and Onion Report (3:54) Scaping, Scouting, and Irrigating Garlic (9:08) Two-Spotted Spider Mites (14:29) Spotted Wing Drosophila Update (17:48) Here are links to additional resources mentioned in the episode: Stemphylium Leaf Blight Christy Hoepting’s SLB Fungicide Trials from 2019...

The June 3rd, 2020 edition of the Eastern New York Vegetable News covers the following topics: Sweet Potato Slip Handling and Planting (1:14) Abiotic Disorders of Transplants (aka Hot Cold Wet Dry) (8:28) Striped Cucumber Beetle PSA (15:13) Options for Managing Onion Thrips in 2020 (19:23) Managing Wireworms in Root Crops (31:43) Berry News (31:43) Here are links to additional resources mentioned in the episode: Striped cucumber beetle PSA Note: Row covers used for cucumber beetle management...

The May 20th, 2020 edition of the Eastern New York Vegetable News covers the following topics: Spring Spinach Pests and Diseases (1:11) Pythium Root Rot Symptoms and Management (6:53) Business Safety Plans for Phase 1 Re-opening in NY (11:27) Angular Leaf Spot of Strawberry (12:56) A Conversation with Sue Scheufele, UMass Extension, on Managing Common Brassica Pests (19:05) Here are links to additional resources mentioned in the episode: Spring Spinach Pests: From Rutgers Cooperative...