Campus Area Farms

The Moore Lab conducts cover crop breeding and variety trials of several cover crop species including cereal rye, hairy vetch, winter pea, and crimson clover. Researchers are focused on cover crops adapted to New York state and the Northeastern US, selecting especially for vigorous, winter hardy, early-flowering, and productive varieties. Cover crops are important for sustainable cropping systems and provide many ecosystem services.

Researcher: Virginia Moore

Cornell’s Weed Science Teaching Garden features more than 100 of the Northeast’s most tenacious, and often frustrating plants know to farmers and gardeners, some reducing yields or spreading crop diseases. But sometimes weeds can also help restore depleted soil. While some are poisonous to humans or animals, others are not only safe to eat, but tasty and nutritious. The weed garden serves Cornell’s students from several majors, scientists, and agricultural professionals alike. It is open to the public.

Researcher: Antonio DiTommaso

The vegetable improvement program uses unheated high tunnels at this farm for their variety testing and breeding program primarily focused on eggplants and cherry tomatoes. New tomato varieties that are now commercially available, include “Yellow Submarine,” “Moonshadow” and many others. 

Researcher: Phillip Griffiths

The Small Grains Breeding & Genetics Research Program identifies superior genetic information in small grains such as oats, wheat, rye and barley. It aims to improve yield, nutritional quality, disease resistance, and other characteristics that increase the crop value and production efficiency. 

Researcher: Mark Sorrells

The cucurbit breeding project produces cucumber, melon and squash varieties, as well as peppers for disease resistance, superior flavor and adaptation to the Northeaster US. This project is working with the Northern Organic Vegetable Improvement Collaborative, which aims to develop and deliver improved vegetables varieties selected for superior performance in organic growing systems. 

Researcher: Michael Mazourek

Another breeding project develops new potato varieties adapted to the Northeast that meet the ever-changing needs of the regional potato industry. Releases include 'Marcy', a high-yielding cultivar designed for making potato chips, 'Adirondack Red', a red-skinned, red-fleshed specialty variety, and 'Lehigh', a widely-adapted, scab-resistant, yellow-flesh line. Researcher: Walter De Jong

The Small Fruit Research Project is focused on developing sustainable production methods for berry crops. Unheated high and low tunnels are used to produce tender crops in colder climates, and to extend the season for strawberries and raspberries. This program also develops and tests agricultural practices that reduce damage from pests and manage weeds without the use of pesticides or herbicides. 

Researcher: Marvin Pritts

As part of the New York State Hemlock Initiative researchers are testing new biocontrol strategies on a plantation at Campus Area Farms with hundreds of young hemlock trees, for their effectiveness to combat hemlock woolly adelgid – an invasive insect pest now killing hemlocks all over New York state. Hemlocks are a foundation species that creates a unique habitat for a myriad of species, and protects gorges and watersheds. Finding effective biocontrol methods fast is essential for the survival of these giant trees and the species that depend on them. 

Researcher: Mark Whitmore