Are you a youth/scout group leader, daycare facility or teacher?

Then you might like to schedule an IPM youth presentation that can help teach 5th through 8th grade students about protecting their environment.
For the younger kids you might like to borrow one of our IPM youth kits (Kits include puzzles, games and books on 3 topics: Earthworms and composting; Ladybugs and What’s in the Garden)

To schedule an IPM presentation or borrow a kit contact us at (315)331-8415 ext 107 or e-mail us at mgwayne@cornell.edu

Hotline Hours of operation:

April-October:Tuesdays and Fridays from 9am to noon. At other times leave a voice message at (315)331-8415 ext. 107 or e-mail us at mgwayne@cornell.edu.

November-March:Master Gardeners will be in the office periodically throughout the winter months and will continue to answer your questions via phone or e-mail throughout the winter. Please leave us a voicemail message at (315)331-8415 ext. 107 or e-mail your question to mgwayne@cornell.edu. Remember to include a daytime number where we can reach you.

To battle the hemlock-killing insects, a team of entomologists has released one of the adelgids’ natural predators as a local case study. Specifically, researchers from Cornell, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and University of Massachusetts-Amherst released 900 Laricobius nigrinus beetles into a stand of adelgid-infested hemlocks on Cornell Plantations land near Lansing and at two other sites on Seneca Lake. Source: Krishna Ramanujan, Cornell Chronicle Online

Home gardeners need to be on the lookout for Late Blight, a very destructive and very infectious disease that’s killing tomato and potato plants in gardens and on commercial farms in the eastern U.S.

Late blight is the same disease that caused the Irish Potato Famine in the 1840s. Late blight is very destructive. Uncontrolled it will kill plants faster than any other disease. And it affects tomato fruit — especially green ones. Petunias, which are closely related to tomatoes and potatoes, can also be infected by late blight and show similar symptoms.

Late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, is a serious disease affecting mainly tomato and potato throughout the world. It is a common disease in New State and the surrounding states in the Northeast since our summer, with cool temperatures and frequent rains, is very conducive for disease development. Late blight is such a serious problem because the inoculum (spores) is easily carried in wind currents to infect susceptible plants in even the most remote area in our region. Currently all tomato and potato plants grown in home gardens and in commercial fields are susceptible to late blight! Commercially growers have to respond to reports of the disease by spraying fungicides to prevent spread of the disease, which otherwise would mean certain death of their crops. Unfortunately, homeowners may not be as aware of this important disease, and if no corrective actions are taken in a timely manner, home gardens can provide a source of inoculum for neighbors and for commercial interests.

The occurrence of late blight in 2009 is different compared to most growing seasons in two ways. First, this is the earliest the disease has been reported over such a broad region of the country. Several years ago we had a similar occurrence with the disease originating from one county source in upstate New York. By the end of the summer disease had spread to at least 14 counties, destroying tomatoes in the entire region. The second reason, and more tragic for the Northeast, is that infected plants were distributed to large local retail stores throughout the region (Ohio to Maine). Never before has such an extensive distribution of infected plants occurred. The inoculum is exceptionally contagious, spreading on garden center shelves to tomato plants not involved in the original and initial source of the inoculum. We have spread the word of this impending disaster, and within a day the original supplier, working with Department of Agriculture in the affected states, has removed most of the initial source plants. In checking to make sure that these plants had been removed, I found local stores in Ithaca (Tompkins Co.) had removed almost all of supplier’s plants on Saturday, June 27. However, the disease had already spread to other tomato plants not from the original source.

What to do now?
Many families have taking up vegetable gardening, given the tough economic times, and tomato is the most important crop in gardens. The good news is that in checking with local small garden centers in Tompkins County, I found no evidence of late blight. The organism is not seedborne (however, it is tuberborne in potato), so that tomato plants started from seed locally would be free of the disease, at least for now. Given the scenario that I described, we must assume that many infected tomato plants have been planted across the entire region, if they originated from so called “big box” stores.

Identification: The symptoms that develop on tomato leaves, stems and fruit are quite dramatic, and are very obvious to the naked eye. The leaf lesions are water-soaked, varying in size from a nickel up to a quarter. They are water-soaked when the foliage has been exposed to watering or heavy overnight dews. When these lesions drying out quickly, they may appear lime-green in colored or even become beige. The edge of the water-soaked lesion, on either the top or bottom leaf surface, will be covered with white fungal growth that contains the spore inoculum (visible with a hand lens). Spores are easily blown to surrounding areas and infect plants and even weed species, in the family Solanaceae (the black nightshade family). If the lesion has a yellow border and is occurring on the bottom of the plant, it is likely due to infection of either early blight or Septoria leaf spot, two common diseases found in home gardens. Again check the Veg MD web site to aid in diagnosis. Brown to almost black lesions appear on infected stems, and the same lesions will develop on fruit, either directly on the infected plants, or a few days after they are sitting on your kitchen counters. Although it is not dangers to humans, most of the fruit could be used if the affected area is removed.

Plant examination and removal: Please inspect your tomato plants on a daily basis! If symptoms are already appearing on plants in your garden, these plants should be removed and put in a plastic bag for disposal. Don’t just put the removed plants in a compost pile as spores will still spread from this debris. Your neighbors, not to mention commercial growers, will appreciate your taking this action immediately.

Plant treatments: Commercial growers have a number of fungicides that if applied early and often, can reduce the spread of Late Blight. They would choose not to spray if they could, but this destructive disease does not give them any other option. Homeowners do have a few products that are registered for use and the common name of chlorothalonil should appear on the product label. Even here, these products are only effective if used before the disease appears and should be reapplied every 5-7 days if wet weather persists. Chlorothalonil is a protectant fungicide, with no systemic movement in the plant, so thorough coverage is necessary. For organic growers and homeowners, the options are very limited, since only copper fungicides can be used, and they are not very effective.

Pesticide Disclaimer: “Every effort has been made to provide correct, complete and up-to-date pesticide recommendations. Nevertheless, changes in pesticide regulations occur constantly and human errors are possible. These recommendations are not a substitute for pesticide labeling. Please read the label before applying.”

Source:Thomas A. Zitter, Department of Plant Pathology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY Saturday, June 27, 2009

New York has more than 900 million ash trees, representing about seven percent of all trees in the state, and all are at risk should this invasive, exotic pest become established. This is just the latest in a series of terrestrial and aquatic invasive species detections across New York State, including the Asian Longhorned Beetle, Sirex woodwasp, didymo, zebra mussels, and Eurasian water milfoil. This has prompted the state to strengthen regulations, increase educational outreach, and encourage ways of limiting the unintentional spread of these potentially devastating pests throughout the state.

Since its discovery in southeastern Michigan in 2002, the EAB is responsible for the destruction of over 70 million ash trees in the U.S. The beetle has been moving steadily outward from its first discovered infestation in Detroit, Michigan, and has now been found in 13 states and two neighboring Canadian provinces. The primary way this insect spreads is when firewood and wood products are moved from one place to another. Many of New York State’s forests and parklands, including Allegany State Park which is near the recent EAB finding, are high-risk areas due to firewood movement.

New York State has been actively surveying for EAB since 2003, inspecting declining ash trees and setting traps in Western and Eastern New York, Long Island and New York City. Up until this discovery no signs of EAB were ever detected in the state.

WHAT IS BEING DONE NOW:

A cooperative effort among USDA and New York State staff will conduct a thorough survey of trees and deploy a more intensive trapping effort in the surrounding area to assess the extent and age of the infestation.  Information from this survey will help determine the response strategy, which could range from tree removals associated with eradication and safety concerns, to ash product quarantines. DEC’s firewood regulations
prohibiting out-of-state transport of untreated firewood and intra-state movement of untreated firewood more than 50 miles remain in effect and are an extremely important tool to contain this damaging pest.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

The primary way this insect spreads is when firewood and wood products are moved from one place to another. Many of New York State’s forests and parklands, including Allegany State Park which is near the recent EAB finding, are high-risk areas due to firewood movement.

New Yorkers are urged to take the following steps to keep EAB from spreading to other areas of the State:

Leave all firewood at home – please do not bring it to campgrounds or parks.

Get your firewood at the campground or from a local vendor – ask for a receipt or label that has the firewood’s local source.

If you choose to transport firewood within New York State:

It must have a receipt or label that has the firewood’s source and it must remain within 50 miles of that source.

For firewood not purchased (i.e. cut from your own property) you must have a Self-Issued Certificate of Source, and it must be sourced within 50 miles of your destination.

Only firewood labeled as meeting New York’s heat treatment standards to kill pests (kiln-dried) may be transported into the state and further than 50 miles from the firewood’s source.

Watch for signs of infestation in your ash trees:

The EAB has metallic green wing covers and a coppery red or purple abdomen; it is small enough to fit easily on a penny. Damage is caused by the larvae, which feed in tunnels called galleries in the phloem just below the bark. The serpentine galleries disrupt water and nutrient transport, causing branches, and eventually the entire tree, to die. Adult beetles leave distinctive D-shaped exit holes in the outer bark of the branches and the trunk. Other signs of infection include tree canopy dieback, yellowing, extensive sprouting from the roots and trunk called “epicormic shoots” and browning of leaves. Infested trees may also exhibit woodpecker damage from larvae extraction.

If you suspect your ash tree could be infested by EAB and if damage is consistent with the known symptoms of EAB infestation report suspected damage to the state by calling 1-866-640-0652 for appropriate action as time and resources allow.

Troy Weldy, Director of Ecological Management for The Nature Conservancy, said: “The Emerald Ash Borer will have significant economic and environmental impacts, the likes of which western New York hasn’t seen since the Chestnut Blight or Dutch Elm Disease. This discovery emphasizes the need to establish a national early detection network around major ports of entry so we can intercept these pests before they become established.   It is also important for citizens to understand that these pests are easily transported in firewood. We ask everyone to do their part by only burning wood close to where they buy it”.

GRANTS – All of these grants are for businesses that have already started and want to develop a new idea or test an idea or do something different.These are not for farms that need money for general development.

NYS Farm Viability Institute Grants. Go to the website.

Northeast Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program – Grower Grants Now Available! Click Here. Farmer/Grower grants are due in Dec and Partnership grants are due in Nov. There are other grants available. Check it out!

Ag and Markets Current Funding Opportunities – Click here for various closing dates and sources. Ongoing CREES (USDA Extension Site) Funding and Grant Sources Rotating closing dates. Part of the Rural and Community Development program focusing on developing new technologies to promote the sustainability and profitability of small and mid-size farms (which qualifies most NYS farms).
Rural Development Office – Several grant and loan programs are available including – Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Grant Program.

If you would like help applying for any of these grants, please email Beth Claypoole at eac9@cornell.edu
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Websites and Resources Helpful for Agriculture

NYS and US:

• NYS Agriculture and Markets
• New: USDA 2007 Agriculture Census Data – NY and Counties
• NYS Ag Statistic
• NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
• US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Pride of New York - Assists farmers and food processors in branding products. Helps link consumers with growers and high quality food products.
• Soil Survey Information Now on Line!

Cornell and Cooperative Extension:

• Cornell Cooperative Extension
• Cornell University Cooperative Extension Small Farms Program
• NY Farm to School Project
• Cornell Maple Production Program
• Organic Agriculture at Cornell University
• NY FarmNet
• Good Agricultural Practices Program (GAPs), materials also available in Spanish
• NYS IPM program
• IPM Guidelines Website View and Download the publications that you need, for free.
• Trac Software - IPM tracking system for apple, grape, berry and stone fruit.
• Smart Marketing - archives articles: newsletter by Cornell faculty and staff about elements critical to successful marketing in the food and agricultural industry.

Wayne County:

• Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District
• Wayne County Agriculture Economic Development

Other Websites:

• NY Farms!
• New England Small Farm Institute
• Northeast Organic Network
• MultiCultural Resource Center – resources and services in the Finger Lakes area for those that speak Spanish (available in English and Spanish).
• NOFA-NY
• Exploring the Small Farm Dream

Other Important Resources:

• Organic Guide to Growing Vegetables is available!
• 2007 Veg Guidelines are now available!
• Weekly IPM Pest Reports
• Alternative Crop Budgets
• Resources for Starting Your Own Farm Business
• 2009 Agriculture Economic Outlook Conference Proceedings
• Fuel from Farm: A Guide to Small-Scale Ethanol Production
• Municipal Approaches to Energy
• Wind Energy: Issues for Land Owners
• Sales Tax for Maple Producers
• Organic Maple Production – Marketing Opportunities
• Party Directed Mediation - paper by Gregorio Billikopf, Ag Specialist with UC Davis
• Pricing Hay Fact Sheet
• Custom Harvest/Planting, etc rates.

]]> http://blogs.cce.cornell.edu/wayne/2009/06/20/general-ag-resources-and-weblinks/feed/ 0 http://blogs.cce.cornell.edu/wayne/2009/05/28/soil-tests-for-home-gardens-and-landscapes/ http://blogs.cce.cornell.edu/wayne/2009/05/28/soil-tests-for-home-gardens-and-landscapes/#comments Thu, 28 May 2009 17:45:48 +0000 ljv8 http://blogs.cce.cornell.edu/wayne/?p=156 Healthy soil is essential for plant growth, providing support and a means for collecting water and nutrients. Problems with plants can sometimes be related to the surrounding soil. If your plants don’t seem to be growing properly you may need to have your soil tested. Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners can complete pH soil tests in our office or for a more comprehensive analysis you can purchase a Nutrient Analysis Kit for tests which are completed at Cornell University. For information on either test contact your local extension office. Wayne County consumers can call our gardening hotline at (315) 331-8415 ext. 107

Are they really honeybees—or some other insects? There are over 10,000 species of bees! Honey bees are usually golden to dark brown in color, with thin black stripes. They’re seldom aggressive, except in the case of Africanized bees, which aren’t bred here.

The honey bee’s upper body is always fuzzy, helping to distinguish them from other bees.

Their cousins, the bumble bees, are very fat, fuzzy, and are generally yellow/orange and black. Both are nectar and pollen gatherers.

Wasps and Hornets are easily differentiated: they have a pinched-in “waist,” aren’t fuzzy, and commonly nest in the ground or in mud or paper nests on wood surfaces.

These insects don’t swarm in huge masses, nor do they create beeswax and honeycomb for nesting and nectar storage. They may be solid black or have white head markings or other color differences. Yellow Jackets have lemon-yellow markings on black, non-fuzzy bodies and some are larger than honey bees. This wasps and hornets are nasty critters and are pretty defensive, so don’t swat at them. All are drawn to fruit, as well as sauced meats cooking on a grill.

Honey bees swarm because conditions in their hive aren’t optimal for their ongoing survival. Overcrowding and other problems cause them to leave the hive. Feral honey bees are virtually non-existent, so any swarm you see comes from a beekeeper’s apiary. Their queen leads the swarming flight, and they’re totally intent on following her to establish their colony in a new location. These bees generally travel only a few miles from their origin.

Swarming honey bees aren’t usually aggressive; they just seek a new home, preferably in a dark, quiet place. They must have an enclosed space, and won’t build honeycomb in trees or bushes. Left alone, honey bee swarms will usually leave your yard within a day or two.

It’s vital that we protect honey bees now, as diseases and other problems are causing massive die-outs. So, if you see a swarm of real honey bees, there are three don’ts: don’t panic, don’t turn the hose on them, and don’t call an exterminator. If honey bees move into an attic or crawl space and you’re concerned about control, please call your local Extension Service office or for the central upstate NY area you can contact Ontario-Finger Lakes Beekeepers Association at (585) 394-7279.

Source: Mary Moss-Sprague, Master Gardener, Wayne County Cooperative Extension 4/09

Vegetable Varieties: Curious which vegetable varieties might grow best in your garden? Cornell researchers are, too. This site compiles information from your fellow gardeners to help you decide what to grow. Read more about this Citizen Science program. The information you supply can also influence breeding efforts and seed availability.

NYS Integrated Pest Management Program: IPM helps you manage pests—insects, plant diseases, weeds, and more—with methods that help keep health, economic, and environmental risks as low as possible …

Weed of the Month: includes information about common invasive weeds in our area including poison ivy, black and pale swallow-wort, garlic mustard etc.

A Gardener’s Calendar for Pest and Nutrient Management: Information on garden maintenance and when you should do it.

The 20th Annual Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Plant Sale was a great success this May 9th!

Shoppers were at the CCE north of Newark at 8AM in droves for the opening bell of the sale snapping up perennials, shrubs, herbs, annuals and vegetables. The full parking lot and happy gardeners loading armfuls of plants into waiting vehicles showed that this was the place to be the Saturday before Mother’s Day.

There were many Master Gardeners on hand to answer questions and help shoppers find that perfect plant for whatever growing conditions they had.

If you missed the sale this year, mark your calendar for the Saturday before Mother’s Day May 2010 for great plants at great prices!