In each of these 4 sessions, horticultural experts will describe the possibilities and challenges associated with growing lesser known crops.
Specifics include site selection, production systems, pest issues, post-harvest requirements, recommended cultivars, and market considerations.
Course Schedule
Session 1 - Tuesday, Feb. 16
Laura McDermott and Steve McKay
- What characteristics are necessary for commercial viability?
- Site Selection
- Ribes (Gooseberries and Currants)
Session 2 - Wednesday, Feb. 17
Steve McKay
- Elderberry
- Aronia
- Hardy Kiwi
Session 3 - Thursday, Feb. 18
Roger Ort
- Sea Buckthorn
- Paw Paw
- Persimmon
- Figs
Session 4 - Friday, Feb. 19
Erik Schellenberg and Laura McDermott
- Hascap (Honeyberry)
- Amelanchier (Juneberry)
- Ericaceiae (cranberry and lingonberry)
- Shisandra
Speaker Bios
Steven McKay
President of Micosta Enterprises, a specialty food enterprise that focuses on growing and marketing uncommon fruit and creating specialty food products from them. Steve is a former Cornell Cooperative Extension berry crops specialist in the Hudson Valley region of NY where he still lives and works. He has experience with many of the plants we’ll be discussing and helped re-introduce Ribes into the northeast US.
Roger Ort
Roger and his family operate Ort Family Farm that specializes in fruit crops and value added products in the Finger Lakes region of NY. The farm offers nursery plants of some of the more unusual berry crops and Roger is a horticulture educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension in Schuyler County.
Erik Schellenberg
Erik owns and operates Black Creek Farm and Nursery in Highland NY. Erik’s background in ecological agriculture led to his interest in permaculture, which opened his eyes to crops that weren’t immediately available on grocery shelves. Erik is also a Cornell Cooperative Extension educator in Orange County.
Laura McDermott
Laura is a berry educator with the regional Cornell Cooperative Extension program in Eastern NY. She works with berry growers throughout the 17 counties on a wide range of production and marketing issues.