Your success is our success! We host a variety of educational workshops and Field Days to give berry growers like you the tools you need to protect and improve your crops, learn the latest in farming techniques, and market your business. We also keep you up-to-date on other industry events.

Other Events

Tuesdays, November 4-December 9

Cornell Small Farms Courses BF 122: Berry Production

Virtual

If you’re exploring the idea of adding berries and bramble fruits to your farm, this course will help you consider all the aspects of this decision, from varieties and site selection all the way through profit potential and marketing. This course will be offered live for 6 weeks. All webinars are recorded and posted in the online classroom to watch anytime. Once enrolled in this course, you will retain access to all materials indefinitely. Register at smallfarmcourses.com/p/bf-122-berry-production.

November 5

NY FarmNet Free Webinar: Estate Planning for Farm Families with Children

Virtual

Estate planning sounds complex and expensive - but it doesn’t have to be. A few simple steps now can save your family a world of stress later. In this webinar, we’ll cover estate planning essentials related to wills & trusts, powers of attorney, guardianship plans, and business continuity documents. We’ll also talk about planning for a variety of situations so that if the worst happens, you’ll know your family and business are taken care of. You’ll also learn what to think about if you’ve got teenagers, and how to prepare for aging parents. Register at tinyurl.com/5n9xsrdj.

November 10-11

New York Agritourism Conference!

Saratoga Springs

The first-ever New York State Agritourism Conference, hosted by the CCE Agritourism Program Work Team, is designed to support farms in growing successful visitor experiences. This statewide gathering will feature expert-led sessions, peer networking, and practical tools to help farms expand direct sales, education, hospitality, and entertainment offerings. Register at ccebroome.my.canva.site/2025-nys-agritourism-conference#home.

November 12-13

Small Fruit Production at the Northeast Greenhouse Conference & Expo

Manchester, NH

We will have two presenters discussing small fruit production at the Northeast Greenhouse Conference this year. Small fruit production talks will be on Thursday, November 13; followed by a refreshment break with exhibitors. Talks include "Introduction to Growing Caneberries (Blackberry and Raspberry) in soilless substrate” and “Using ‘Long-Cane’ Techniques” with Ryan Dickson, University of Arkansas; and “Greenhouse and High Tunnel Strawberry Production" with Neil Mattson, Cornell University. Register at negreenhouse.org/registration.html.

Various dates & locations in December

Labor Roadshow IX

The Agricultural Workforce Development Council of New York State, in partnership with Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development, is excited to announce Labor Roadshow IX—a series of in-person and online events designed to keep New York’s agricultural employers informed and prepared for today’s labor challenges. This year’s Roadshow will feature two webinars and four in-person meetings across the state. Registration will open later this fall. For questions, contact cu-agworkforce@cornell.edu.

January 7-10

NASGA 2026 Meeting & Conference

Savannah, GA

The North American Strawberry Growers Association (NASGA) will be meeting in conjunction with the Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference. The conference will offer premium opportunities to network, learn about latest advancements in research, and hear about emerging technologies in the strawberry industry across North America. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to participate in the expansive trade show as well as educational sessions presented by the SE Regional Conference. Register at nasga.org/n-american-strawberry-growers-conference.htm.

January 14-16

Empire State Producers Expo & Becker Forum

Geneva

New exciting changes coming this year. Small fruit sessions will be returning and possibly others. More sessions are planned for each day this year. More details to follow at nysvga.org/2026-empire-state-expo/.

February 11-12

NARBA Raspberry & Blackberry Conference

San Luis Obispo, CA

The 2026 Conference will offer premium opportunities to network, learn about latest advancements in research, and hear about emerging technologies in the caneberry industry. We will also offer a farm tour of the Santa Maria berry growing region. Register at raspberryblackberry.com/conference/2026-san-luis-obispo/#2026Conference.

February dates TBD

Eastern NY Fruit & Veg Conference

Stay tuned for more details!

Tuesdays from February 24-March 31

Cornell Small Farms Courses BF 123: Growing Uncommon Fruit

Virtual

This course will help you determine whether incorporating uncommon fruit into your operation is the right decision for you. We’ll walk you through all aspects of this decision, from possible fruits and appropriate site selection to marketing and profit potential, plus the advantages to including woody perennials into your farm plan. Many of these fruits can be successful in a forest farming setting, so are attractive to people with an interest in agroforestry. Expand your understanding of these promising crops and how they could improve your farm’s ecosystem while possibly also supporting your bottom line. This 6-week course is designed as a companion to the BF 122: Berry Production course, but you do NOT have to take BF 122 before taking BF 123. Register at smallfarmcourses.com/p/bf-123-growing-uncommon-fruit.

On demand

Tackling Heat Stress in Fruit Production – Innovative Strategies for a Changing Climate

Rising temperatures pose a serious challenge to fruit production, impacting plant health, yield, and quality. This discussion will explore the science behind heat stress, its effects on fruit crops, and groundbreaking solutions to mitigate damage. Learn how strengthening plant cuticles can be a game-changer in protecting against extreme heat, ensuring resilience and productivity in an unpredictable climate. More info & register at https://event.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1711254&tp_key=6ca8dd6e8a.

On demand

Employee Engagement Virtual Workshop

Regardless of size or seasonality, every agritourism business seeks to create a culture that attracts, nurtures, and keeps employees engaged in their operation from year to year. This Virtual Workshop highlights three farms that illustrate a level of successful employee culture that we can all take lessons from to emulate in our own operations. More info & register here.

On demand

Pruning & Training of Berries, Kiwifruit, and Grapes

Webinar series

Join Bernadine Strik, professor of horticulture at Oregon State University, for this multicourse, on-demand series. Designed to provide all the information you need to prune and train berry crops, the series includes 4 to 8 self-paced narrated lectures totaling up to 2.5 hours on table grapes, kiwifruit, and berries—including raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Register for just one module or get a discount on the series.