Fall Strawberry Workshop

October 20, 2021


Deb Wagoner of Wagoner Bees and Produce will lead a discussion of weed control techniques including types of plastic mulch and how they are used to prevent weed infestation in strawberry systems. She will share her experience with irrigation scheduling and a labeling system used for cultivar tracking. She'll also share information about her strawberry harvester with a description of item cost and functionality.

Attendees will also hear from Integrated Weed Management Specialist, Bryan Brown, and WNY Berry Specialist, Anya Osatuke, as they review late-fall pests, fertility management, and seasonal factors determining when to apply a winter mulch to a strawberry planting.

AGENDA
5:15 PM DEC Credit Sign-in

5:30 Welcome and Introductions

5:40 Planting Tour & Harvester Demonstration - Deb Wagoner, Wagoner Bees and Produce
Grower-led discussion of weed control techniques including types of plastic mulch and how they are used to prevent weed infestation in strawberry systems. Irrigation scheduling and a labeling system used for cultivar tracking will also be covered. A strawberry harvester with description of item cost and functionality.

6:00 Weed Control - Bryan Brown, Integrated Weed Management Specialist, NYS IPM, Cornell
Fall weed control options for new and established strawberry plantings. Cultural weed control options for actively fruiting dayneutrals. Brief review of differences in herbicide applications when growing on plasticulture vs. open field.

6:30 Fall Troubleshooting - Anya Osatuke, WNY Berry Specialist, CCE Harvest NY
Review of common late-fall pests, pathogens, and abiotic disorders in June-bearing and dayneutral strawberries. Hands-on diagnosis of strawberry crowns that growers bring to the workshop.

7:00 Fertility Management - Anya Osatuke, CCE Harvest NY
Comparison of best practices for fertilizing and renovating dayneutrals and June-bearing strawberries. Overview of differences in applying N, P, and K fertilizer between field culture and plasticulture.

7:20 Winter Mulch Application - Anya Osatuke, CCE Harvest NY
Review of the seasonal factors determining when to apply a winter mulch to a strawberry planting. Overview of seasonal and site factors affecting the timing of winter mulch removal in the spring.

7:30 PM Adjourn and Pick Up DEC Credit Certificate

COST, REGISTRATION, and QUESTIONS
This workshop is FREE to attend! Pre-registration is requested; email Anya Osatuke or call/text 607-752-2793 with your name, phone number (if available), and number of attendees.

DEC CREDITS
1.0 DEC credit in categories 10, 1a, 21, 22, and 23 will be offered. Attendees seeking DEC credit will be required to show their DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator ID and/or registration number. Only attendees who stay for the entire course will be awarded a certificate.

How to Grow Edible Mushrooms on Logs

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10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Upper Manhattan, NY

Join Cornell's network of Community Mushroom Educators and the NYRP Urban Ag team to learn how to grow Shiitake mushrooms on logs. This hands-on workshop will include plenty of opportunity to practice drilling and filling logs with shiitake mushroom spawn. In addition to experiential learning, we'll explore the benefits of mushroom cultivation and tour the NYRP log yard, discussing best practices for maintaining a successful outdoor mushroom-growing system.

NOTE: THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL. Waitlist registrations being accepted.

Compost Café: BioChar

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12:00 noon EDT

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Community Gardens Soil Testing Program Accepting Applications

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The soil test will analyze samples for heavy metals and nutrient levels. Test results help gardeners make appropriate plans to produce high quality fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Technical support and education for participating growers will be provided by the CCE Harvest New York team. Learn more about the 2025 Community Gardens Soil Testing Program.

New York Urban Farms Sustainable Pest Management Fact Sheet Series

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NYS Urban Growers Pest Management Needs Assessment

As part of a multi-year project exploring non-spray pest management options that are economically and environmentally sustainable for urban farms, we conducted a needs assessment with urban growers across New York State. The New York State Urban Growers Pest Management Needs Assessment presents findings on current pest management practices, challenges, and topics of future interest.