US (NY): Learn about northern climate vegetable production

The results of Advancing Vegetable Production in Northern New York production trials and taste testing funded by the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program will be presented at the March 14, 2017 Northern Vegetable School at the Whallonsburg Grange Hall in Essex. The school is sponsored by the Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program of Cornell Cooperative Extension.

The vegetable trials funded by the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program supporting research and technical assistance for farmers in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties evaluated the use of 13 single or combination cover crops including sorghum sudangrass, sunhemp, and cowpeas to enhance vegetable production, and separately addressed cherry tomato production.

Vegetable growers at an August 2016 field day in Northern NY. Photo: Amy Ivy

‘The use of cover crops can address a variety of soil issues. This research demonstrated options for fitting warm weather cover crops into a vegetable rotation,’ notes project leader Amy Ivy, a vegetable specialist with the Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension Clinton County.

The cherry tomato trials addressed disease resistance and the most cost-effective and labor-efficient pruning strategies to control the rampant growth of the cherry-type tomato. That trial also included engaging nearly five dozen individuals in a taste test of four varieties of cherry tomato: Sungold, Sakura, Esterina, and Nature’s Bites.

The Advancing Vegetable Production in NNY project has received a grant from the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program to continue tomato pruning trials in 2017 to strengthen data analysis to enhance recommendations to growers.

The 8 am to 5 pm, March 14 Northern Vegetable School also includes presentations on improving farm efficiencies, crop rotation, pesticide resistance, tillage and cultivation equipment for smaller operations, and breakout sessions on seeders, soil aggregates, and cover crops. The $30 cost includes lunch and resource materials. Registration and payment can be made online at http://enych.cce.cornell.edu/event.php?id=664 or call Abby at 518-746-2553. For questions, contact Amy Ivy at adi2@cornell.edu or 518-570-5991.

Funding for the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is supported by the New York State Senate and administered through the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.