Write a commentCornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County is coordinating a small fruits workshop on Thursday, July 23, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Fruit Valley Orchard in Oswego, NY.
There is still room to register for this workshop, which will help identify the best fruits for small acreage and cover essential considerations for getting started.
Joshua Vrooman, Agriculture Educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County, will begin the workshop by reviewing direct-to-consumer trends. He will discuss why small farms are uniquely positioned for local markets and how product differentiation drive success.
Anya Stansell, Small Fruits Extension Specialist for Cornell Harvest NY, will then highlight viable fruits for smaller plots and discuss value-added processing as a way to supplement fresh market income.
Nest Janet van Zoeren, Integrated Pest Management Extension Specialists for Cornell Lake Ontario Fruit Team, will cover key foundational steps for establishing a new crop, including site selection, pest management, pruning, and other good agricultural practices.
Finally, Wade Smith, co-owner of Fruit Valley Orchard, will lead a short tour of the property. Attendees will see the practical elements of running a diversified farm firsthand, from operating a farm store to maintaining strong community engagement.
While space remains, pre-registration is required to secure your spot. The workshop is free to attend. To sign up, please visit https://thatscooperativeextension.org/events/2026/07/23/small-fruits-workshop or scan the QR code. For more information or registration assistance, please contact Joshua Vrooman, Agriculture Community Educator, at [email protected] or 315-963-7286 ext. 200.
