Explain your research in a few sentences in layman’s terms. What crops do you research and if there are more than one, do you have a favorite?
The EVADE Lab of Sarah Pethybridge and senior extension associate Frank Hay focuses on mitigating plant disease pressures from pathogens that affect a wide range of vegetable crops, primarily focusing on broad-acre vegetable crops to more specialty crops. Our trials primarily consist of cultivar trials for crop sensitivity to pathogens, fungicide trials to screen for efficacious treatments and rotations, and fungicide sensitivity in the lab to see where our New York populations are affecting growers’ yields the most. We currently work on dry beans, corn, beets, watermelons, muskmelons, onions and hops, among many others. My favorite crop out of all these is snap beans. They are so versatile and make excellent dilly beans.
What’s one fascinating thing that most people wouldn’t know about a crop you research and/or the tools you use to research?
What I find most fascinating is the diversity in crop production methods we encounter at AgriTech. Whether it’s large-scale commercial operations or small-scale organic farms, each approach has its unique facets. We observe different growing techniques in each scenario, and it’s clear that no single method is superior to another. Different methods can achieve similar goals, and it’s important for us to embrace and learn from this diversity moving forward.
What challenges affecting your crops does your research address? What approaches are you using?
The challenges we face with our crops stem from the diverse disease complexes that emerge each year. Dry years bring specific insect pressures and pathogens, while rainy years introduce different sets of challenges. It’s fascinating to observe these annual changes and adapt our strategies accordingly to cope with climate variations. The EVADE Lab’s winter fungicide sensitivity testing provides valuable insights into potential fungal disease outbreaks for the upcoming season and assesses their resistance to current fungicides. Fungicide resistance is an ongoing battle that researchers must tackle year after year.
How does AgriTech help students cultivate their interest in agricultural careers?
AgriTech has hosted numerous events and workshops over the years, but the Student Association of the Geneva Experiment Station (SAGES) program for high school students, in my opinion, has undoubtedly had the greatest impact. As a recipient of the SAGES Scholarship in 2012 upon graduating from Penn Yan Academy, I was deeply honored to present the same scholarship to a Penn Yan student in 2022, a decade later. This experience was incredibly fulfilling. Our programming and events genuinely transform lives, underscoring the importance of continuing to nurture and expand these initiatives.
In what unique ways has AgriTech helped cultivate your career?
Over the years, AgriTech has provided me with numerous opportunities for personal and career development. Two highlights include working with the Summer Scholars Program in 2015 on parthenocarpic squash (squash developed without fertilization) alongside Steve Reiners and attending various grower events, trade shows and grant meetings. These experiences have significantly enhanced my skills in research communication, problem-solving and diplomacy.
What do you love most about working at Cornell AgriTech?
I love that AgriTech boasts such a diverse campus, where everyone brings a piece of their culture, personality and culinary traditions to every campus gathering. It’s our close-knit community that makes us strong!
