Long Island Horticultural Research and Extension Center (LIHREC)
About LIHREC
The 68-acre facility is dedicated to serve the research and extension needs of the horticulture industries of Long Island. The facility features agricultural fields and research plots, state-of-the-art greenhouses, a nursery and container production area, and a plant tissue culture facility in support of research projects ranging from grape and vegetable production, to ornamentals and floriculture.
LIHREC is located close to the tip of Long Island, in the heart of Suffolk County. Unique growing conditions on Long Island provide exceptional opportunities for this region. The climate is ideal for farming — it is the only area in New York State with USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7. Strong underground aquifers provide plenty of fresh water.
But the reputation of Suffolk County's agriculture is literally rooted in its characteristic white, sandy soils.
Sandy, white soils
Suffolk County's exceptional soils are the result of thousands of years of glacial deposition. They have excellent drainage, moderate water-holding capacity, and modest fertility. These glacial soils are among the finest in the world and provide unique opportunities for farmers and growers.
Events at LIHREC
Saturday, July 13th, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, rain of shine.
The display gardens will be open all day and there will be guided garden tours on the hour. Special seminars will be offered during the day including one on “Flower Arranging” at noon. A plant sale focusing on herbs, dahlias, unusual plants, and hanging baskets will also be held for those who are interested in finding something new for their home. Special on-going activities during the Open House include Victory Garden demonstrations where guests can learn about growing vegetables, and wagon ride tours of the 68-acre research farm (10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; this is not recommended for children).
Everyone is welcome and admission is FREE.
Contact Mark Bridgen, mpb27 [at] cornell.edu (mpb27[at]cornell[dot]edu) or 631-921-4941
Tuesday, July 16th, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Educational day for summer interns in horticulture and agriculture. Registration required.
This summer, for the second year, Cornell University’s Long Island Horticultural Research & Extension Center (LIHREC) will hold an Intern Field Day for summer interns in horticulture and agriculture. The Field Day will be held at LIHREC in Riverhead on Tuesday, July 16.
The objectives of the Intern Field Day are to give summer workers and new employees an opportunity to learn about careers in horticulture and agriculture, to view the research programs at the LIHREC, and to provide an opportunity to network with professionals and fellow interns.
The Intern Field Day will begin at 10:30 am with tours of the various programs. Horticulture professionals will discuss four commodity areas: (1) vegetables, (2) nursery and ornamentals, (3) greenhouse and floriculture, and (4) grapes. The speakers will include Dr. Margery Daughtrey, Dan Gilrein, Dr. Nora Catlin, Sandra Menasha, Dr. Mark Bridgen, Mina Vescera, Alice Wise, Emily Lindback, and Dr. Daniel Heck.
Registration form
Contact Mark Bridgen, mpb27 [at] cornell.edu (mpb27[at]cornell[dot]edu) or 631-921-4941 (mobile)
Long Island Horticultural Research and Extension Center (LIHREC) Plant Science Day
Thursday, July 18, 2024, Sign in starts at 3:30 PM, program starts at 4:00 PM
The Cornell Long Island Horticultural Research & Extension Center (LIHREC) will hold its annual Plant Science Day for agriculture and horticulture professionals on Thursday, July 18th. Professionals will be able to take tours in one of four commodity areas: (1) vegetables, (2) nursery and ornamentals, (3) greenhouse and floriculture, and (4) grapes. Speakers will include Mark Bridgen, Nora Catlin, Margery Daughtrey, Jared Dyer, Dan Gilrein, Daniel Heck, Emily Lindback, Sandra Menasha, Mina Vescera, and Alice Wise. DEC recertification credits will be available.
Following the tours, at 6:00 p.m., a barbecue will be held on-site at the LIHREC. Thanks to Farm Credit East for a sponsorship towards the dinner and to Burpee Seeds for a sponsorship towards drinks, the cost for the barbecue is only $25 per person. Participants are encouraged to attend both the tours and the barbeque dinner during Plant Science Day, but if you prefer, you can attend just one or the other. However, pre-registration is required to attend the BBQ.
There is no fee to attend the tours; those who wish to stay for dinner the fee is $25/person and must be received by Wednesday, July 10. Checks should be made payable to Cornell University; sorry, no credit cards are accepted. Send reservations and payments to: Cornell University LIHREC, 3059 Sound Avenue, Riverhead, NY 11901.
More info and registration form
Contact Karen Levasseur at LIHREC: kml67 [at] cornell.edu (kml67[at]cornell[dot]edu), 631-727-3595
LIHREC in the News
- Mark Bridgen named Long Island Farm Bureau Citizen of the Year (Riverhead News-Review)
- Rod Zeltmann, 50-year employee of Cornell AES, “the pinnacle of reliability”
- Turning food scraps into fertilizer (RiverheadLOCAL)
- Long Island Nursery & Landscape Association honors LIHREC with "Professionals of the Year" award (pdf)
- 'One-stop shop' marks century of ag research, extension on Long Island
- For 100 years, agricultural research center in Riverhead has served as critical resource to region (Riverhead News-Review)
- Research and extension center in Baiting Hollow has been helping L.I. growers for 100 years (RiverheadLOCAL)
- Improve your pesticide controls with the help of IRAC/FRAC groups (Nursery Management)
- An inside look at the Long Island Horticultural Research and Extension Center’s plant breeding programs (CALS Spotlight)
Three research and extension professionals received SOAR Awards while working at LIHREC.
The SOAR Award honors those, who provide outstanding support and contributions to the mission of the national IR-4 Project, a program that helps specialty crop growers to address pest management concerns.
The awardees, pictured above from left to right:
Dr. Margaret McGrath, Emeritus Associate Professor, School of Integrative Plant Science at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Meg received her award in 2014. Meg retired from Cornell University in May 2023, but still maintains a keen interest in all things concerned with plant pathology.
Daniel Gilrein, Senior Entomologist, Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Suffolk Co. Dan received the award in 2023.
Dr. Andrew Senesac, Senior Weed Scientist, Cornell CCE of Suffolk Co. Andy received his award in 2016. Although Andy retired from full time employment in 2022, he continues to work part-time to help fill the weed science needs of Long Island until a replacement is hired.
Awardees are selected based on: the service provided towards the mission by participating on IR-4 committees, advisory panels, or similar activities; the excellent outreach performed to help educate others about IR-4’s importance to growers; their altruism by donating time and effort toward IR-4’s mission; and the outstanding research contributed that aides in expanding product labels and increasing understanding of product use.
Serving the community for over 100 years
Established in 1922, this pioneering research facility continues to serve the diverse agricultural community on Long Island. In this video, Director Mark Bridgen and Cornell scientists explain how research there supports fruit and vegetable growers and the floriculture and nursery industry with the latest production information, such as ecologically sound pest and disease management, and sustainable growing practices.
Resources for Cornell Researchers
Find detailed information for each Cornell AES research farm. Cornell login is required.
Contact
Address
Long Island Horticultural Research & Extension Center (LIHREC)
3059 Sound Ave.
Riverhead, NY 11901
P: 631-727-3595
F: 631-727-3611