We work with farm businesses to:
-Improve enterprise viability
-Explore opportunities for new business development
-Support local markets
-Diversify farm enterprises
Extension works with farmers in several capacities:
-Educational conferences, workshops, meetings, tours and classes
-Facilitating farmer-to-farmer communication
-Research-based publications and fact sheets
-Newsletters, meeting notices, and timely updates
-Personal consulting via phone, email, and in person
-Soil testing and diagnostic services
The Finger Lakes Teaching and Demonstration Vineyard entered its third growing season in 2014. The vines are completely mature and produced a full crop. The vineyard is a partnership between the Finger Lakes Grape Program, Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC), and Anthony Road Wine Company. This year collectively FLCC students logged almost 1,000hours of work at the vineyard between class and volunteer time. It started in the spring with pruning, tying, and continued throughout the year with leaf pulling and crop thinning,
and shoot positioning. Students were given 300 pounds of fruit from several varieties for use in their winemaking classes this fall.
Teaching is only part of the vineyards purpose; we also designed it to be a demonstration vineyard where we can showcase new pieces of equipment, varieties, and trellis methods. On July 10th, we demonstrated two machines that took new approaches to age-old tasks, utilizing a leaf remover that uses high-pressure air to shred leaves and a cultivator that uses flexible fingers to clean very close to the base of the vine. We plan to continue showcasing new hosting tow grape pruning workshops during the 2014/2015 winter season at the teaching vineyard. Funding from the Genesee Valley Regional Market Authority supports the vineyard.
Finger Lakes Grapes Program Program
To Learn more, please
visit the website:
South Central New
York Ag Team
Ag Team