Homer C. Thompson Vegetable Research Farm

In this study, the Barickman Lab is evaluating how snap beans respond to different nitrogen rates from emergence to harvest. Drone and ground sensors are used to monitor crop growth, vigor, and nitrogen status throughout the season. By combining high-resolution imagery with field measurements, the team aims to determine if these technologies can rapidly identify crop nitrogen needs and ultimately support improved nitrogen management.

Researcher: Casey Barickman

The Vogel Lab works to develop tomato and eggplant varieties adapted to the Northeast U.S. with increased disease resistance, fruit quality, and productivity. Additional activities include variety trials and horticultural experiments to help guide production practices for farmers and gardeners in New York and the surrounding region.

Researcher: Greg Vogel 

This research aims to improve vegetable disease management through a variety of integrated approaches. The team conducts fungicide efficacy trials to determine which fungicides are most effective at controlling important vegetable diseases in NY, and to look for fungicide resistance. Researchers also evaluate spore trapping and disease risk prediction models to improve disease management recommendations. Recent research has focused on potato and tomato early blight and late blight.

Researcher: Zachariah Hansen

Designing ditches as nature-based solutions: prototyping seed mixes and maintenance protocols for roadside ditch networks
Ditches are a ubiquitous part of rural landscapes, playing a critical role in ameliorating or contributing to water quality issues and flooding. This project explores how roadside ditches can be better designed as nature-based solutions through testing a range of custom seed mixes and maintenance regimes to improve environmental services as well as enhance the character of the rural landscape.

Researcher: Anne Weber

This research focuses on the breeding and genetics of vegetable crops, in particular the development of novel kale and cabbage varieties, with traits desired by the food industry and consumers alike. 

Researcher: Phillip Griffiths

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

Testing the newest breeding lines of potatoes with best potential of production in New York, to develop appropriate cultivation practices, utilization recommendations and yield assessments, to guide local growers.

Researcher: Matthew Falise

Research on the optimum use of herbicides for vegetable crops informs the development of appropriate labeling.

Researcher: Antonio DiTommaso

Organically managed malting barley variety trials assess spring and winter varieties for best quality and yield. The agronomic data collected provides crucial, tangible guidance to New York growers who aim to meet the growing demand from local breweries.

Researcher: Mark Sorrells

This program aims to breed new varieties with improved nutrition, flavor and other desirable traits, and with good resilience in ecologically based production systems. Recent work at this farm includes squash variety breeding.

Researcher: Michael Mazourek