Willsboro, NY. The cold-hardy grape variety research nursery in Northern New York at is getting a make-over.

With new funding from the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program that helped establish the nursery at the Cornell Willsboro Research Farm in Willsboro in 2005, old vines have been removed, the soil is being refreshed, and new varieties of grapes have been carefully selected for planting in 2017.

The identification of new varieties has been named a priority by growers associated with the wine grape industry across New York state.

A list of 21 potential varieties for the new planting at the Willsboro farm was identified through a survey of Northern New York grape growers, the leaders of the highly respected Cornell-Geneva and Minnesota University grape breeding programs, and private grape breeders. Cornell University Horticulture Professor Dr. Tim Martinson and Anna Wallis of the Eastern New York Commercial Horticultural Program will determine the final planting based on the availability of plant material in the spring of 2017.

In 2015, the old vines at the Willsboro farm were removed with the exception of the Marquette, Frontenac, Frontenac gris, and La Crescent varieties that have proven to be suited to the NNY climate and soils. Those plantings will continue to produce grapes for wine production research by Cornell University.

Regional growers will be invited to help establish the new planting. Once the new trial is planted, the research team will evaluate such factors as vine vigor, winter survival, crop yield, and grape quality.

The results of past cold-hardy grape trials conducted in Northern New York are posted on the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program website at www.nnyagdev.org.

The farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program provides grants for on-farm research and technical assistance projects in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. Funding for the 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.

Click here to read Albany Times Union columnist Bill Dowd’s article on this project

The farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program will conduct a series of maple industry workshops in September in cooperation with the New York State Maple Producers Association and Cornell Cooperative Extension associations of NNY. Dr. Michael Farrell, director of the Cornell Uihlein Maple Research Forest in Lake Placid, NY, will present data from the 2016 sugaring season in Northern New York at each program.

Dr. Farrell will focus particularly on the use of 3/16-inch tubing for natural vacuum sap collection and the latest best practices for optimal sugarbush management. Organizers suggest footwear and attire appropriate for sugarbush tours at each site.

The workshop schedule includes:
.  Friday, September 16, 4:00-6:00 pm, Uihlein Maple Research Forest, 157 Bear Cub Lane, Lake Placid, free admission to workshop. The Northeastern New York Maple Producers Association will hold a 6 to 7:30 pm dinner at Heaven Hill Farm, located next to the research forest, following the workshop for $10 person for Association members, $25 for non-members; pre-paid reservations required, contact Uihlein Maple Research Forest at 518-523-9337.

.  Saturday, September 17, 9 am-12 pm, Dr. Sam Yancey Sugarbush, 9430 State Route 812, Croghan, free admission. The program will begin at the sugarhouse and continue at the Aucter Road sugarbush where Dr. Yancey, DVM, has applied intense woodlot management practices. This workshop also includes information on tapping trees in November and December to see how long they continue to produce sap into the spring using new 3/16-inch tubing. Pre-registration by September 15 is appreciated, contact Cornell Cooperative Extension Lewis County, 315-376-5270.

The results of past maple industry research in the North Country region are posted on the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program website at www.nnyagdev.org. Information on additional workshops will be posted in the News and Events sections of the site.

The farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program provides grants for on-farm research and technical assistance projects in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. Funding for the 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.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
. Project Leader: Michael Farrrell, 518-523-9337
. NNYADP Co-Chairs: Jon Greenwood, 315-386-3231; Joe Giroux, 518-563-7523; Jon Rulfs, 518-572-1960
. NNYADP Publicist Kara Lynn Dunn, 315-465-7578, karalynn@gisco.net

Suzanne Moore of the Plattsburgh Press Republican has written a story on a Northern New York Agricultural Development Program-funded project at Miner Institute. Click here to read “Calf study evaluates heat stress vs. nutrition.”

This story includes a nice note about how the farmer-driven program engages young agriculturists, namely project leader and Miner Institute intern Kayla Hultquist, in its projects.

Congratulations  to Northern New York Agricultural Development Program Co-Chair Jon Greenwood who received a PRO-DAIRY 2016 Agriservice Award at the Great New York State Fair yesterday.

NYS Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball and PRO-DAIRY Director Thomas Overton presented Jon with the award that recognizing outstanding contributions of New York State agriculture through support of the PRO-DAIRY program.

Jon is the owner of Greenwood Dairy in Canton and guides the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program with Joe Giroux of Plattsburgh and Jon Rulfs of Plattsburgh/Peru, NY.

Rick Zimmerman, executive director of the Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance, was also honored with a PRO-DAIRY 2016 Agriservice Award during the Dairy Day festivities at the Great New York State Fair yesterday.

“Both Jon and Rick have been excellent supporters of PRO-DAIRY programs and tremendous leaders within the New York dairy industry. Jon is an active collaborator on applied research and through his co-leadership of the Northern NY Agricultural Development Program has been a staunch ally to applied research and extension,” Dr. Overton said.

Click here to read the PRO-DAIRY press release on the awards

 

Reporter Julia Botero with North Country Public Radio interviewed Dr. Kitty O’Neil about what the late summer-planted oats project funded by the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program might mean for farmers who need an added source of forage, particularly in dry years like 2016.

Click here to hear that interview