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The Cornell University Willsboro Research Farm Open House has been set for Wednesday, July 10 from 1:30 to 4 pm.
Young specialty fruit trials funded by the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) will be among the many crop plots available for touring during the open house. The tour of the farm facilities and research fields is free and open to the public. It will leave the main office at 48 Sayward Lane, Willsboro, at 2 pm.
NNYADP grants to the Willsboro farm support the research aimed at developing new specialty fruit crops suited to the Northern New York climate and growing conditions. Longer-term trials with Juneberry have been joined by a newer investigation into Aronia and Honeyberry.
The Juneberry nursery at the farm is a living collection of wild and commercial lines of the fruit considered to have potential to become a major fruit crop in Northern New York and the Northeast. Davis is collaborating with Juneberry expert and SUNY Plattsburgh botanist Michael Burgess, Ph.D., on the Juneberry trials.
This year marks the fourth full growing season for 11 commercial varieties and four ornamental varieties of Juneberry at the research farm, and the third season for nine wild-collected lines.
With numerous scientific studies documenting its high antioxidant and phythonutrient levels, Aronia has been labeled a “superfood” and has quickly blossomed into a multi-million dollar industry in North America. The Willsboro Aronia trial is focused on four fruit-producing varieties now in their third growing season.
The blue Honeyberry is a perennial, fruit-producing shrub that is native to the cool temperate forest regions of North America, Asia and Europe. Fruit breeders in Oregon and at the University of Saskatchewan have prompted a surge in recent interest in this flavorful fruit in North America. The Honeyberry trial at the Willsboro Research Farm is evaluating 15 commercially-available cultivars.
Davis is also evaluating plantings of the fruits with participating growers in Clinton, Franklin, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties.
Research reports on the new fruit trials are posted on the NNYADP website. Funding for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is supported by the New York State Legislature and administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.
Photo of Cornell Willsboro Research Farm Manager Michael Davis, Ph.D. (right), and SUNY Plattsburgh botanist Michael Burgess, Ph.D., checking a young Juneberrry trial at the research farm in Willsboro. Provided by the Willsboro Research Farm.
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We are already planning next year’s spring plantings. There’s only enough room for ONE apple tree. The area has plenty of sun and is protected from winter winds! Can you please give me the names of apple trees that will survive the Long Lake area’s harsh winters and poor quality soils? Also is there any insects I should keep an eye out for that will be waiting for me to plant a ADK buffet?
Honeycrisp, McCoun and Spartan all do well in Zone 4, which is where we are. In order to ensure pollination, however, you should have two trees. Cornell University is a great source of information.