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Conferences and Workshops
The Agricultural Stewardship Program sponsors and participates in various workshops and conferences throughout the year, including the Long Island Agricultural Forum, the LI Greenhouse and Floriculture Conference, the LI Horticulture Conference, and twilight meetings covering a range of topics. Most conferences are conducted in the winter or early spring for growers’ convenience. Participating growers receive pesticide recertification credits when enrolled in a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation approved course.
The Stewardship Program continues to look for ways to bring new and valuable information to Long Island growers. We welcome any suggestions of conference and workshop topics that you may have.
Past Conferences and Workshops:
Long Island Agricultural Forum
Since its inception, the Stewardship Program has played a major role in planning the annual Long Island Agricultural Forum. Historically, day two's general session has focused on environmental issues lending a perfect opportunity for the Stewardship Program to talk about current projects and future goals, local and federal regulatory items, and other relevant environmental stewardship issues. Past speakers include: Vinny Palmer, Pesticide Control Specialist, NYS DEC/Region 1; Richard Kessel, Chairman, LIPA; Cornell University faculty; and local growers.
Weed Management Workshop, November 29, 2007:
Cornell Cooperative Extension specialists Sandra Menasha and Andrew Senesac organized this one-day workshop with a focus on vegetable and small fruit farms. Presentations covered weed identification, principles in weed management, between-row cultivation, and mulching for weed control. Lockwood Sprague, owner of Edgewater Farm in Plainfield, NH, discussed weed management practices at his farm.
Agrichemical Mixing Facilities Workshop, August 29 & 30, 2007:
In 2006, the Department of Environmental Conservation reached an agreement with Suffolk County Soil and Water Conservation District to use money obtained through administrative enforcement actions to provide 75 percent cost-share funding on portable and permanent agrichemcial mixing facilities. The workshop, organized by the Stewardship Program with support from First Pioneer Farm Credit, provided growers with the opportunity to hear first-hand from other local growers who have installed permanent mixing facilities on their farms. Representatives from portable mixing pad suppliers also demonstrated the features of their mixing pads.Soil Health Meeting, July 19, 2007:
Cornell Agronomist Dr. Harold Van Es held a field meeting with Long Island growers from all commodities. Dr. Van Es specializes in soil and water management, providing education for extension field staff, farmers and other professionals. He focuses on sustainable land management with an emphasis on soil health and precision agriculture.At the meeting, the new soil health tests available from Cornell were reviewed and Dr. Van Es explained how to interpret results from a sample test. For more information on the soil health program and the new soil health tests, visit the program web site: http://www.hort.cornell.edu/soilhealth/index.htmSustainable Agriculture: What Is It and How Do I Do It?, June 28, 2007:
Dr. Cliff Ohmart, Research/IPM Director of the Lodi-Woodbrige Winegrape Commission, gave an evening presentation to growers of every commodity group. Beginning with a brief history of pest management practices in the US, Dr. Ohmart explained how the sustainable agriculture movement has evolved and what sustainable has come to mean today. An explanation of Lodi's sustainable viticulture program was then given, including how the program began, how they define sustainability, and what the program has done to improve winegrape growing in the region.Improving Deposition and Reducing Drift Workshop, June 2006:
Dr. Andrew Landers, Pesticide Application Technology Specialist, Cornell University, provided a two-day demonstration workshop for Suffolk County growers on proper sprayer calibration and how to select the proper nozzles to minimize spray drift and improve deposition. The workshop was conducted on local farm sites and growers brought in boom and air blast sprayers to be used in the demonstrations. Forty vineyard, nursery, orchard, and vegetable growers were in attendance.Nutrient & Pest Management Workshop, February 2006:
Eighty-five growers attended the February 1st workshop. Speakers included Sy Robbins and Martin Trent of SC Department Health Services and William Smith from Cornell University Pesticide Management Education Program. Participants were given an overview of Suffolk County’s groundwater contamination concerns. They also learned what pesticide products are labeled in New York State and those ‘Not for use in Suffolk County’, how to download pesticide labels of products approved by DEC. All attendees participated in commodity-specific sessions where they evaluated their individual farm operation’s nutrient and pesticide management practices and completed Tier 1 and 2 AEM worksheets.
This program is funded by the
Suffolk County Water Quality Protection and Restoration Program.February 2008
