Hudson Valley Horticulture
Cornell Cooperative Extension of the
~~~Commercial Horticulture Electronic Newsletter~~~
Volume 8, Issue 3
March 20, 2008
Participating Counties: Orange * Dutchess * Putnam *
Editor: Rosemarie S. Baglia
http://www.cce.cornell.edu
In
this Issue:
High Tunnel Agriculture Can
Work in Northern New York
Amy Ivy, CCE of Clinton County, 518-561-7450
There is so much to say about how well high tunnel
agriculture can work in
On March 27 and 28 at the Hotel Saranac in Saranac Lake, NY, growers from
Valley Falls and Keene Valley, NY, will share their expertise and experiences
along with Cornell University and Extension educators who will provide
production tips and cover the economic aspects of high tunnels.
Conference organizer Amy Ivy of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Clinton County
says: “Growing certain types of produce and cut flowers makes good sense in the
Cornell Horticulture Professor H. Christian Wien says “High tunnels are widely
used in other parts of the world: it is estimated that there are 1.9 million
acres of high tunnels in
At the conference, Wien will summarize two years of research on the effect of
the choice of plastic covering, temperature, wind and ventilation controls on
cut flower production in high tunnels, and will offer cautions on the
vulnerability of tunnels to high winds.
Other topics covered include:
Ted Blomgren of Windflower Farm in
Adding to the discussion of the exciting economic potential of high tunnel use
will be Laura McDermott, Eastern New York Small Fruit Specialist with Cornell
Cooperative Extension of Washington County.
Vegetable specialist Judson Reid will share tips gained over the past eight
years of high tunnel research on growing tomatoes. Reid says,
Tomatoes are well-suited to high tunnel production. Growers can produce 15 to
20 pounds of saleable tomatoes per plant that definitely makes this type of
production something to consider. However, growers must grow tomatoes in
combination with other crops to keep soil nutrients replenished.
Using biological controls for weeds, pests and diseases is the topic of
Elizabeth Lamb, a senior extension associate with Cornell’s Floriculture
Integrated Pest Management Program.
Lamb says: “There are personal and economic advantages to using IPM. High
tunnels are often used by growers who are interested in reducing or eliminating
their pesticide use to protect themselves, their families and their workers.
IPM practices, in turn, provide growers with the opportunity to market their
products to the consumers interested in green or naturally-raised products.”
Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Northern New York Agricultural Development
Program, and the New York Farm Viability Institute are sponsoring the High
Tunnel Production in NNY conference. The two-day conference cost is $50 per
person and includes lunch both days and Friday breakfast. Thursday-only
registration is $30 and includes lunch; Friday-only registration is $40 and
includes breakfast and lunch.
Contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Clinton County at 518-561-7450 to register
by March 21. Contact the Hotel Saranac at 518-891-2200 for overnight
reservations, ask for the conference rate. For more small
farm related news, visit www.smallfarms.cornell.edu.
Submitted by: Rosemarie S. Baglia,
EPA is moving forward to propose regulations that once finalized, would require
registrants of agricultural and professional specialty pesticides to recycle
plastic pesticide containers.
After careful deliberation and consideration of all possible options, the
Agency is moving forward expeditiously with a proposed pesticide container
recycling rule. Given the extensive time necessary for the rulemaking
process, EPA is following an aggressive schedule that allows publishing the
proposed regulations by the fall of 2008. The Agency will provide the public a
60-day comment period on the proposed rule.
Written by: Dianne K. Olsen, Cornell Cooperative Extension Putnam County
Sil-Matrix is labeled for use as a fungicide, miticide, and insecticide
Earlier this year you may have read about a biochemical
pesticide with the active ingredient, potassium silicate, registered for use as
labeled, in
Sil-Matrix contains 29% of the active ingredient
potassium silicate and is labeled for use as a fungicide, miticide,
and insecticide. Specifically, Sil-Matrix is labeled
for the control of the fungal disease powdery mildew and for the suppression of
mites, whiteflies and other insects on pome fruits,
stone fruits, nut crops, berries, vine crops, vegetables (root, bulb, leafy, brassica, legume, cucurbit, and fruiting), citrus fruits,
cereal grains, and ornamentals.
Additionally, Sil-Matrix is labeled for the
suppression of gray leaf spot, brown patch, and dollar spot on turf. The active
ingredient potassium silicate was classified as a biochemical pesticide by the Biopesticides & Pollution Prevention Division of the
United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). As such, PQ
Corporation was exempted from the requirement of establishing tolerances for
all crops treated with potassium silicate.
So what is a Biochemical Pesticide? The EPA defines it now like
this: A biochemical pesticide is a pesticide that:
(1) Is a
naturally-occurring substance or structurally similar and functionally
identical to a naturally-occurring substance;
(2) Has a history of
exposure to humans and the environment demonstrating minimal toxicity, or in
the case of a synthetically derived biochemical pesticide, is equivalent to a
naturally-occurring substance that has such a history; and
(3) Has a non-toxic mode
of action to the target pest(s).
But this class of chemicals may include products such as insect pheromones,
natural plant and insect hormones and plant growth regulators, insect growth
regulators, insect juvenile growth hormones, and enzymes.
Another classification of pesticide you should be aware of is the Microbial
Pesticide.
Microbial pesticides are composed of living entities such as bacteria, fungi,
viruses, and protozoans. Also included are killed
organisms.
A Microbial pesticide is a microbial agent intended for preventing, destroying,
repelling, or mitigating any pest, or intended for use as a plant regulator,
defoliant, or desiccant, that:
(1) Is a eucaryotic microorganism including,
but not limited to, protozoa, algae, and fungi;
(2) Is a prokaryotic microorganism, including, but not limited to, eubacteria and archaebacteria;
or
(3) Is a parasitically replicating microscopic element, including but not
limited to, viruses.
And why is this important? Some local laws and regulations make
exemptions for biochemical and microbial pesticides, and as we look for new
ways to treat difficult problems while regulations and restriction increase,
biochemical and microbial pesticides may provide alternate solutions to
problems like grey leaf spot on turf and powdery mildew on cucumber.
Written by Jennifer Stengle,
Cornell Cooperative Extension Putnam County
Scientists Look for Clues into How Tree Populations Become Invasive
By Stacy Kish, USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service (CSREES)
(Note from Jen Stengle: We've seen ornamentals, like
Norway maples and Japanese barberry move from the landscape into the larger
ecosystem, where they out-compete native plants. Recently the Pyrus calleryana,
and its best know cultivar, the Bradford Pear, have moved into the wild, helped
by another invasive species, the European starling. These escaped pears are
causing trouble in right-of-ways and even urban settings. So, how do
ornamentals become invasive? Scientists are looking for clues.)
By studying the Callery Pear tree, scientists have
determined how non-threatening plants have become invasive, as the trees are
now dense and thorny and are expanding into urban locations they were never
intended to grow in.
Ornamental plants, like the Callery Pear, were
originally planted in the United States for their beauty and were not
considered an invasive threat because they did not produce fruit. Over the past
decade, the Callery Pear has evolved to become a
significant invasive tree species. Besides producing fruit, which can be messy
and cause the population to expand into inconvenient locations, the newly
evolved trees are dense and thorny. Scientists are using the Callery Pear as a model for studying the factors that
contribute to the evolution of invasive traits in introduced plants.
Callery Pear trees were first introduced to the
Within the last decade however, wild type Callery
pear trees, Pyrus calleryana,
have begun producing fruit, allowing them to multiply in natural areas,
especially in disturbed sites along railroads, roads and park boundaries. Urban
backyards are not immune to the tree expansion and the fruit is appearing in
neighborhoods where it was not invited. The situation is aggravated by bird
species, such as starlings, that disperse the tree fruit. In addition, the
seedling plants differ from its cultivated parent, growing densely and
producing impressive thorns that make controlling the new tree a challenge.
Theresa Culley and Nicole Hardiman
at the
The scientists determined that having multiple varieties planted in the same
area can lead to the production of a new and invasive variety. This is known as
intraspecific hybridization between the widespread
Because Callery pear varieties are so well
established as landscaping trees in urban settings, there is an urgent need to
monitor the impact of the newly evolved P. calleryana
on the ecosystem. This study provides the first step to combat this
potential problem. By understanding the factors that contribute to the
evolution of invasiveness in an introduced species, scientists can provide
practical suggestions for how the horticultural industry can monitor plant
introductions and implement effective methods of control to prevent introduced
plants from becoming invasive and spreading within the
The USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
(CSREES) funded this research project through the NRI Biology of Weedy and
Invasive Species in Agroecosystems program. CSREES
advances knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health and
well-being, and communities by supporting research, education and extension
programs in the Land-Grant University System and other partner organizations.
For more information, visit www.csrees.usda.gov
. To view this research result online, visit http://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/impact/2008/nri/01153_peartree.html .
Submitted by Jennifer Stengle, Cornell
Cooperative Extension Putnam County
New PMEP Web Store
The Pesticide Management Education Program (PMEP) has a brand new
web store up and running as of January 31, 2008 for anyone who wishes to
purchase Pesticide Applicator Training Manuals and the Cornell Guidelines.
Please note that this store is only for customers who would like to shop and
order on line using their credit card. For security purposes when using
this new site, customers will be asked to set up an account with the PMEP on
line store and with Pay Pal for their credit card transactions.
To learn more, visit the new web store at: http://hosts.cce.cornell.edu/pmep/shop/
Submitted by Rick Harper,
Pesticide Certification Exam
Schedule
Spring 2008 – Region 3
COUNTY
TRAINING
EXAMS
9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
CORE: 9:30 AM
CATEGORY: 11:00 AM
Rockland
(845-429-7085)
Completed
March 25, 2008
Ulster
(845-340-3990)
Completed
April 1, 2008
Westchester/Putnam
(845-278-6738)
Completed
April 8, 2008
Orange
(845-344-1234)
April 3, 2008
May 1, 2008
Sullivan
(845-292-6180)
April 22,
2008
May 20, 2008
Dutchess
(845-677-8223)
April 29, 2008
May 29, 2008
Seating may be limited. Reservations are required by all counties.
Contact the Cornell Cooperative Extension office where you wish to attend to
sign up.
The DEC charges $50 for the exam fee (If you are attending the pre-exam
training session, please bring a check or money order for the $50 exam with you
that day). For Commercial Applicators, upon passing the exam, the
certification fee is $225 for your first category (except $100 for cat. 3A or
3B only). This certification will be valid for a 3 year period (only 1
year for cat. 3A or 3B only). If adding a category, a letter of
experience or 12 recertification credits are needed to be allowed into the
test: also certification fee to be determined at the time of the exam dependent
on expiration date of current license. For Private Applicators, upon passing
the exam, the fee is $25 for the first applicator and $5 for additional
applicators at the same farm. This certification is good for 5 years.
For more information contact the New York State Department of Environment
Conservation, Division of Solid and Hazardous Materials, Region 3, 21 South
Putt Corners Road, New Paltz,
About Pesticide Certification
If you apply pesticides,
including weed-killers, weed and feed products, insecticides, fungicides, or
tick control products to customer's properties for hire, you or someone in your
company must be a New York State Certified Pesticide Applicator through the New
York State Department of Environmental Conservation and have your business
registered. There are now three levels of commercial certification:
applicator, technician, and apprentice.
For Commercial Applicators
To be eligible to take the
exams to become certified, you must meet one of the following requirements:
· 3
out of the past 5 years of verifiable experience as an apprentice working in
the category applicant is seeking certification in; or
· 3
out of the past 5 years as a certified private applicator in a corresponding
private category; or
· Certification
in another State with which New York has reciprocity; or
· if
seeking certification in the Sales Category - At least 3 years experience in
the sale of pesticides, or can demonstrate, through applicable training
certifications or education degrees, that one possesses appropriate technical
background.
Certified Pesticide Technician
· be
at least 17 years of age.
· 2
years of verifiable experience as an apprentice; or
· completion
of a 30-hr. training course, approved by the Department or a baccalaureate or
associate degree from an accredited college or university in the area seeking
certification. These are offered at the following:
Westchester Community College: (914)
785-6830
Dutchess
Community College: (845) 431-8904
ATC: (845) 657-7027
For technicians, once certified, desiring full applicator status the following
documentation is required: a letter indicating 2 yrs. of experience or 1 yr. of
experience plus 12 recertification credits. Experience and recertification
credits must be category or sub-category specific.
Pesticide Apprentice
· Must be at least 16 years of age.
· Must receive 40 hours of pesticide use experience under
supervision of a certified applicator and a minimum of 8 hours of instruction
on topics outlined in Section 325.18 of Part 325 Rules & Regulations
relating to the application of pesticides, before being able to apply general
use pesticides under the off-site direct supervision of a certified applicator.
· Documentation
of the above must be maintained by the certified applicator, and include: name
& address of apprentice; date(s) of instruction or observation; content of
training and certification category; instructor's name and certification
identification number; and an evaluation of the competency of the apprentice.
For Private Applicators:
· Must be at least 17 years old.
· Have
at least one year of full-time experience within the last five years in the use
of pesticides in the category in which certification is requested – OR
· Has completed a 30-hr. training course, or has received an
associate's or higher level college degree in the area of which certification
is requested.
For further information on eligibility rules
and regulations, and fees, contact the NYSDEC Region 3 Pesticide Staff at (845)
256-3097.
Eligible candidates for certification must attend a training session, and pass
two examinations, administered by the NYSDEC and held in conjunction with
Cornell Cooperative Extension. Once you determine you are eligible for
certification, contact your county's Cornell Cooperative Extension office for
information on registering for the training class and exams. Contact your local
CCE educator to find out training and exam dates for your county in the
Cornell Cooperative Extension
2007-2008 Horticulture Programs for Professionals
Cornell Cooperative Extension of the
*Christmas Tree Twilight Meeting
July 2008, date and location TBA
Contact: Stephanie Mallozzi (845) 677-8223 x104,
Teresa Rusinek (845) 340-3990, or Rosemarie Baglia (845) 344-1234
This is a hands-on, in the field program focusing on professional Christmas
tree production issues.
*Sports Turf Program
Spring/Summer 2008, date and location TBA
Contact: Rosemarie Baglia (845) 344-1234
Spanish for Landscapers and Horticulture Professionals
Winter 2008, date and location TBA
Contact: Stephanie Mallozzi (845) 677-8223 x104
Other Professional Horticulture Programs of Interest
Clean Sweep Pesticide Disposal
Program
A pesticide disposal program will take place in
Floriculture Field Day
July 22, 2008
Cornell Campus, Ithaca, NY
For more information contact Rose Baglia 845-344-1234
or Teresa Rusinek at 845-340-3990
Landscape Horticulture 2008 Short Course*
Cornell campus on July 23-24, 2008 (starting at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday,
7/23 and concluding at noon on Thursday, 7/24). The program is geared toward
extension educators, nursery operators, and landscape maintenance professionals
(and other folks seriously interested in maintaining and growing landscape
plants), and will consist of classroom instruction and site visits in the
NYS Releaf Conference
July 25-26, 2008
Contact: Mary Kramarchyk at (518) 402-9412
Certified Landscape Technician Training
Contact: NYSTLA at (914) 993-9455 or visit www.nystla.com.
An optional national testing program to recognize proficiency
of qualified landscape professionals.
Certified Nursery Professional Training Program
Contact: In Dutchess, Putnam & Westchester:
Scott Olivieri, (914) 682-4224; In Orange, Rockland
& Ulster: Mark Masseo (845) 658-9148
By passing this exam you can earn the title Certified
Nursery Professional (CNP). Contact your New York State Nursery and
Landscape Association, listed above, for more details.
Cornell
Cooperative Extension County Commercial Horticulture Educators
Dutchess: Stephanie Mallozzi, sdm10@cornell.edu, 845-677-8223 x 104
Orange: Rosemarie
Baglia, rsb22@cornell.edu, 845-344-1234
Putnam: Diane
Olsen, dko3@cornell.edu, or Jennifer Stengle,
jjs95@cornell.edu, 845-278-6738
Rockland:
Donna Cooke, dmc72@cornell.edu, or Paul Trader, pwt2@cornell.edu, 845-429-7085
Ulster: Teresa Rusinek, tr28@cornell.edu, 845-340-3990
Westchester:
Rick Harper, rwh26@cornell.edu, 914-946-3005
Sullivan:
Marianna Quartararo, mdq2@cornell.edu, 845-292-6180 x
112
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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names and commercial products is for educational purposes; no discrimination is
intended and no endorsement by Cornell Cooperative Extension or Cornell
University is implied.
Pesticide recommendations are for informational purposes only and
manufacturers' recommendations change. Read the manufacturers'
instructions carefully before use. Cornell Cooperative Extension and
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