Vegetable and Fruit Production: Resource Guide

List of Resources

General Vegetable, Fruit, and Farm Resources
Cornell University Commercial Production Guidelines
Vegetable Resources
Fruit Resources
Nut Resources
Mushroom Resources
Organic Farming Resources
Diagnostic Resources
Pesticide Resources
Weather Resources
Marketing and Business Resources
Cornell and Cornell Cooperative Extension
Government

General Vegetable, Fruit, and Farm Resources

Agriculture, Food, and Communities - Cornell University
The Agriculture, Food and Community Partnership integrates and coordinates Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' teaching, research and extension activities in the areas of small farms, community food systems, community agriculture development, and agroforestry. At this site you can learn about these activities and easily access information about projects and organizations within New York State, regionally, and nationally that are working to promote communities with sustainable food and agriculture systems.
New York State Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program
The New York State Integrated Pest Management Program is dedicated to developing sustainable ways to manage pests and help people to use methods that minimize environmental, health, and economic risks. The program assists people who want to safely reduce the damage that pests cause to fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants, turf, livestock, field crops and the places we live, work and play in our communities.
Cornell Fact Sheets
Comprehensive list of Cornell Univerity Online fact sheets covering various topics from home gardening, garden and home pests, genetically modified organisms, and water quality!
Pests of the Northeastern US
This site is intended for use by growers, extension personnel, agribusiness people, and consultants to aid in the identification of common crop pests found in New York state and the northeast.
New York State Barn Coalition
The New York State Barn Coalition is a collaborative program of statewide, regional and local organizations, agencies and individuals that recognize the economic, historic, symbolic and aesthetic value of barns and outbuildings. The Coalition is dedicated to increasing public awareness and promoting the appreciation, preservation, rehabilitation and re-use of older and historic barns. The Coalition works toward preserving agricultural landscapes, revitalizing rural communities, and fostering pride in New York State’s cultural heritage.
The New Farm
This web site from the Rodale Institute encourages the exchange of valuable "farmer-to-farmer know-how" by presenting success stories with expert resources for crop and livestock production, direct marketing, local food systems, policy campaignes, and community-building collaborations.
RMA Online - Crop Insurance Agent Locator
The Risk Management Agency (RMA) is part of USDA. Our role is to help producers manage their business risks through effective, market-based risk management solutions. RMA’s mission is to promote, support, and regulate sound risk management solutions to preserve and strengthen the economic stability of America’s agricultural producers. As part of this mission, RMA operates and manages the Federal Crop

Center for Plasticulture at Penn State

Penn State is a leader in plasticulture technology. High tunnels, row cover, plastic mulches, drip irrigation, plastic waste. 

The American Society for Plasticulture

These folks have gathered up all sorts of resources about plasticulture, and linked them to one convenient page.

 

Cornell University Commercial Production Guidelines

Cornell University Guidelines for Vegetable Production - 2003

Pest Management Guidelines for Commercial Tree-Fruit Production - 2004

New York and Pennsylvania Pest Management Guidelines for Commercial Grape Production -2003

Pest management Guidelines for Berry Crops - 2004

Cornell Guide for Integrated Field Crop Management - 2003

Pest Management Guide for Commercial Production and Maintenance of Trees and Shrubs - 2003

Pest Management Guide for Commercial Turfgrass - 2003

Vegetable Resources

Cornell Vegetables
The Cornell Commercial Vegetable Production program is a cooperative effort between Extension educators and horticulturists, entomologists, pathologists, economists, and engineers at both the New York Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva and academic departments in Ithaca.

Virginia State Cooperative Extension

Virginia State Cooperative Extension has an extensive on-line listing of fact sheets about vegetables and vegetable production. State extensions produce publications applicable to their local region, so read and use these resources while remembering that they are tailored to Virginia climate, market, and regulatory laws.

Vegetable MD
The Vegetable MD on line is an extensive resource to help diagnose diseases of vegetables. It contains fact sheets on vegetable diseases, photos of what the diseases look like (a picture is worth a thousand words), and articles about 'new' diseases, changing pesticide labels, and resistant crop varieties.
Penn State Vegetable Crop Resources
Vegetable cultivation information, vegetable newsletters, herb directory. Penn State does a lot of work with plasticulture, and much of the information is on line.
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture

Index of articles about vegetable crops

 

 

Fruit Resources

Cornell Fruit Information Page
The information source for commercial fruit growers in New York and the Northeastern United States, a gateway to fruit resources at Cornell University and at the NYS Agricultural Research Station at Geneva.

Tree Fruit Resources from Penn State Department of Horticulture

Fruit Tiimes newsletter, tree fruit fact sheets
Cornell Tree Fruit and Berry Pathology
Disease fact sheets, pesticide information, disease forecasting, etc.
The Berry Diagnostic Tool
A companion to the NRAES Production Guides for Strawberries, Raspberries and Blueberries
New York Fruit Quarterly
This publication is a joint effort of the New York State Horticultural Society, Cornell University’s New York State Agricultural Experiment Station at Geneva, and the New York State Apple Research and Development Program.
North American Blueberry Council (NABC)
This site is designed to inform and promote the use of blueberries in the consumer, foodservice, food industry and export markets. You will find various sections pertaining to your interest. Please browse, stay a while and come back frequently. We continually add new information to this site, and welcome your input!
US Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC)
If you grow highbush blueberries in the USA, you are part of the USHBC!

Nut Resources

Harvesting Black Walnuts

Mushroom Resources

Mushroom Council
This web site is paid for by the Mushroom Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act of 1990. This act allows commercial producers of fresh mushrooms the right to orderly collect assessments on domestic and imported fresh mushrooms. These funds are then used for the purpose of strengthening the mushroom industry’s position in the marketplace, maintaining and expanding existing markets for mushrooms, and developing new markets and uses for fresh mushrooms.
Growing Forest Mushrooms: A New Hobby or Profitable Small Business
On November 9, 2002, the South Central New York Agriculture Team hosted a one-day workshop about forest mushroom cultivation. This introductory class reviewed the basic principles of mushroom cultivation, potential markets, economic considerations, labor, materials, time, and energy necessary. This web site summarizes the workshop and provides you with information and links to begin your own investigation of mushroom cultivation as a unique way of enjoying your woodlot.

Organic Farming Resources

National Organic Program
USDA's National Organic Program, which developes and implements national organic standards
Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI)
The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that specializes in the review of substances for use in organic production, processing, and handling.
Northeast Organic Network
The Northeast Organic Network, or NEON, is an innovative consortium of farmers, researchers, extension educators and grassroots nonprofits working together to improve organic farmers' access to research and technical support.
Northeast Organic Farming Association
The Northeast Organic Farming Association provides educational conferences, workshops, farm tours and printed materials to educate farmers, gardeners, consumers and land care professionals.
Organic Farming and Marketing - ERS/USDA
The Economic Research Service (ERS) is the main source of economic information and research from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas
ATTRA provides technical assistance to farmers, Extension agents, market gardeners, agricultural researchers, and other ag professionals in all 50 states.
International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM)
Provides organic news, as well as IFOAM global programs and services.
Sustainable Agriculture Network (SARE)
The communications and outreach arm of the Sustainable Agricultural Research and Education Program.
National Agricultural Library - Alternative Food Systems Information Center (AFSIC)
The AFSIC specializes in locating and accessing information related to alternative agricultural enterprises and crops as well as alternative cropping systems.
Organic Agriculture Information
Production information, economic data, research results, farmer anecdotes, certification information, and transition strategies.

Diagnostic Resources

Cornell Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic
The Cornell Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic is available to provide fast and accurate plant disease diagnostic services. Clinic staff strive to supply you with the answers you need as quickly as possible.
Cornell Nutrient Analysis Laboratory - Soil Testing
The Cornell Nutrient Analysis Laboratory is available to provide soil testing services.
Nutrient and Elemental Analysis Laboratory - Tissue Analysis
The Department of Horticulture Nutrient and Elemental Analysis Lab is dedicated to assisting researchers, growers and homeowners in evalutating the nutritional and environmental status of their plant specimens and crops. Our lab has been performing plant nutrient analyses for grower and researchers since the 1950's. Cornell faculty work with the Nutrient and Elemental Analysis staff to provide fertilizer recommendations and consultations on specific problems. In the last decade, laboratory services have expanded to include environmental testing of water, plants, amended soil and sewage sludge, providing municipalities, homeowners and farmers with data on levels of potentially toxic heavy metals so that they can evaluate the safety of their environment. Newly acquired equipment allows testing of total carbon to nitrogen ratios and anions, such as sulfate, phosphate and chloride.

Pesticide Resources

The Pesticide Management Education Program
PMEP promotes the safe use of pesticides for the user, the consumer, and the environment. PMEP serves as a pesticide information center for college and field extension staff, as well as growers, commercial applicators, pesticide formulators/distributors, environmental and conservation groups, and private citizens.
The NYS Pesticide Product Ingredient and Manufacturer System (PIMS)
The NYS Pesticide Product Ingredient and Manufacturer System (PIMS) database is designed to aid the user in searching for pesticide product information as supplied to the Pesticide Management Education Program (PMEP) by the New York State Pesticide Registration Section within the Department of Environmental Conservation. Search here for NY MSDS and Label Information.
CDMS: Labels and MSDS Listing
CDMS, Inc. is a privately held corporation located in Marysville, CA. Founded in 1983, the company provides America's premier software service to access crop protection product label, MSDS, WPS and DOT information.
EPA: Office of Pesticide Programs
Covers everything from A to Z concerning pesticides!
The Greenbook
Chemical and Pharmaceutical Press, Inc. compiles pesticide product information (labels, supplemental labels, and MSDSs) provided directly by the pesticide companies in an unbiased presentation, adding extensive features to help users locate the specific information they need. Home of the big green CPR book and CD-rom.
Pesticide Applicator Certification
Pesticide Management Education Program from Cornell University
Pesticide Regulations
New York State Pesticide Regulations on-line

Weather Resources

Northest Weather Association (NEWA)
NEWA is a regional weather network comprised of weather stations around several growing regions in New York. The program provides disease and pest forecasting services for various vegetables and fruits.

Marketing, Grants, and Business Resources

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service administers programs that facilitate the efficient, fair marketing of U.S. agricultural Products, including food, fiber, and specialty crops. AMS programs promote a strategic marketing perspective that adapts product and marketing practices and technologies to the issues of today and the challenges of tomorrow. In short, AMS helps make sure the U.S. marketing system remains world-class.
USDA Farmer Direct Marketing
Excellent resource for farmers' markets within the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service web site! Links to many useful reports and publications on all aspects of direct marketing.
Farmers' Market Federation of New York
The Farmers’ Market Federation of New York is a statewide not-for-profit organization designed to both promote and provide support services for the farmers markets within New York State.
New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
Source for New York State agriculture resources including grant programs, GIS mapping, argo-tourism, etc.
New England Small Farm Institute
A private non-profit organization supporting beginning farmers and sustainable small scale agriculture throughout New England.
Growing New Farmers
This website is devoted to new farmers who are farming or hope to farm in the Northeast, and to service providers who are helping them succeed. Its main purpose is to create connections.
Cornell Univeristy Department of Applied Economics and Marketing Cornell Farm to School Program
The Cornell Farm to School Program is a partnership of farmers, produce suppliers, food service directors, farm organizations, and community members working to increase the amount of locally grown foods served in New York's public schools, colleges and universities.
Northeast Region Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program (SARE)
SARE supports research and education that helps build the future economic viability of agriculture in the United States.

Cornell and Cornell Cooperative Extension

Cornell University
Cornell University Homepage
Cornell University - Department of Horticulture
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Cornell Cooperative Extension Homepage
CCE On-Line Publication Catalog
South Central Area Ag Program
South Central Ag Team Home Page. Good source for a regional Calendar of Event!
New York State Agricultural Experiment Station
The NYSAES has a primary mission is to support New York's fruit and vegetable industry. Researchers and extension educators work to develop good farming, food storage, and processing practices while safeguarding the environment, increasing market share for New York producers, and assuring consumers safe, reasonably-priced, high-quality fruits and vegetables.
Community and Economic Development Toolbox
The purpose of this toolbox is to provide accessible tools to local community and economic development (CED) practitioners, such as community leaders, newly elected officials, extension educators, and community technical assistance providers, so that they are more knowledgeable about basic CED issues and are better equipped to assist in decision making and determining the future of their communities.

Government

New York Farm Bureau
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
National Agricultural Statistics Service
New York Agricultural Statistics Service
USDA - Economic Research Service
The Economic Research Service (ERS) is the main source of economic information and research from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
USDA - Agricultural Research Service
The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the principal in-house research agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). ARS, one of the Research, Education and Economics (REE) agencies, is charged with extending the Nation's scientific knowledge across a broad range of program areas that affect the American people on a daily basis.
Environmental Protection Agency
EPA's mission is to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment — air, water, and land — upon which life depends.