As dramatic weather events increase, pest pressure intensifies, and local markets vitalize, New York berry growers are looking for ways to protect their crop and lengthen their season. Growers and educators are trialling techniques for growing berries under cover. Berry farmers across New York can attend one of three regional workshops offered by the New York State Berry Growers Association (NYSBGA) this winter to learn more about these innovations in berry growing. These day-long workshop will feature multiple short presentations, interactive activities, and words from growers discussing the newest research in tunnels and exclusion netting. 

A project reporting session is scheduled for Thursday, February 16, 2017 at the Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory located at 6592 West Main Rd. Portland, NY. This location will serve as the main location with a satellite location at the Geneva NYSAES station. The meeting will begin at 10:00am and run until approximately Noon. Updates on projects funded by the Lake Erie Regional Grape Program Research and Extension Program, Inc. (the group charged with dispersing the 75 cents per ton voluntary assessment for Concords produced in the Lake Erie Region), New York Wine and Grape Foundation, and New York Wine Grape Growers Association, will be presented, as well as, short presentations on proposed new projects.   The meeting format is designed to encourage discussion between those who are conducting or proposing projects, the funders, and the grower community by limiting presentations to 5 minutes and eliminating the use of visual aids.