NEW*YORK«STATE*AGRICULTURAL*EXPERIMENT»STATION CORNELL Station NewsU N I V E R S I T Y GENEVA NE W- YORK VOLUME LXXXIII • NO. 47 NOVEMBER 22-DECEMBER 6,2002 ----------BRIEFS Communications Services Invests in New Technology for the Print Shop NYS Vegetable Conference The 2003 New York State Vegetable Conference will be held Feb. 10-13, 2003, at the Holiday Inn Syracuse and Convention C enter in L iverpool, NY. Growers and agriculture industry professionals will gather for this well-respected educational event and trade show. Typically, more than 500 people attend this event each day. More than 70 trade show exhibitors will display the latest in equipment, packaging, bio-controls, supplies, irrigation, seed varieties, chemicals, products and services. University specialists, industry leaders, and growers will present more than 100 talks in 15 sessions throughout the 3-day conference. The conference begins with the Becker Forum on M onday, Feb. 10, entitled “Preparing for Change: Securing Your Place and Profit in the Food Chain.” This forum is for growers, policy makers, legislators, educators, and anyone concerned with the risks involved in agriculture and the challenges facing growers today. The meeting runs from 9:30 am-4:30 pm, and is free if you register for any part of the 2003 conference. For all others, there is a $15 fee. The commodity session and trade show portion runs Feb 11-13. Processing, storage and fresh market vegetables produced in New York are the focus. Full-day sessions on fresh market and processing sweet corn, potatoes, onions, and cabbage are scheduled. Other sessions include tomatoes and peppers, pumpkins, vine crops, melons, beans and peas. New sessions this year include transitioning to organic vegetable production and adding cut flowers to your vegetable growing operation. The event is sponsored by the NYS Vegetable Growers, Empire State Potato Growers, Cornell Cooperative Extension, NYS College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, and the Associated NYS Food Processors Association. (Continued on page 2) Compare the last two issues of Station News with any issues that have come before and you will notice a dramatic improvement in the quality of the screens and the photos. This improvement is due to Communications Services’ purchase of a new digital platemaker for the Station’s offset printing press. As an added benefit, the new process is much quicker and easier to implement than the old process, and also means that all plates will be generated in-house, instead of having to use outside vendors. The new platemaker is best described as a fancy laser printer that outputs plates that can be run directly on the offset press. The old platemaker used photographic methods to create a physical plate. This process resulted in some loss of quality in the dot pattern of the photos on the gray­ scale, and an inability to reproduce high quality screens. The new device outputs directly from electronic files resulting in a great improvement in quality. The only other dtp (direct to plate) method of generating plates was for Communication Services to send electronic files to an outside vendor and have negatives created by Arnold’s Press in Ithaca, or the Geneva Printing Center. These negatives would then be stripped into position by the graphic artists at the Station and then burned onto aluminum plates for the press by the pressman. The new method eliminates that multi-step process. The new platemaker is a Purup Eskoft DPX Genesis, purchased from New York Printing Systems, Inc. Communication Services has been researching platemakers for two years, especially over the last six months. Dur­ ing that time, the technology has improved as the cost has gone down. Rob Way and (Continued on page 2) Sample halftones illustrate the i?naging potential using the new Purup Eskoft platemaker in the Sta­ tion Print Shop. NOVEMBER 22-DECEMBER 6, 2002 (BRIEFS, continued) Pre-registration prior to Feb. 3 is $30/day. Walk-in registration is $40. For information, contact Lindy Kubecka at 315-687-5734. Schumer: New U.S. Commerce Dept. Plan Could Cost NY Apple Growers Millions The U.S. Commerce Departm ent has taken the first step toward ending the duties on Chinese apple juice concentrate, a move that could cost New York's apple growers millions of dollars, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer said this week. With New York’s apple growers already suffering $81 million in losses this year, S chum er urged the Commerce Department to back off this plan. Lifting the duties, he warned, would make it easier for Chinese apple juice producers to resume undercutting American apple growers. “With the kind of year that apple farmers in New York have had, the C om m erce Department’s plan to kill this duty couldn’t come at a worse time,” Schumer said. “To make them vulnerable again to the anti­ competitive behavior that these duties sought to protect them from in the first place simply makes no sense, and I’m going to oppose this plan tooth and nail.” Library News Jane Irwin will be out for an extended period of time for medical reasons. At this point, it’s unclear when she will return, but we don’t expect her to return before early January. Jane not only provides technical support for library hardware and software, but also coordinates the Station-wide training program, teaches many workshops, and consults on many software programs. We cannot be an adequate substitute for her, but please contact library staff if you have questions that you would normally direct to Jane. W henever possible, we will assist you or refer you to someone with expertise. Jane teaches and consults on a wide variety of software. It would be of great benefit to the Station community if those with expertise in a particular application would be willing to offer a workshop or be willing to consult on the software. Some of the programs and/or topics include Power Point, EndNote, Microsoft Word and Corporate Time. Please contact me with your interest in assisting. If you’d like to wish Jane well, she will be reading her email occasionally from home at mji4@comell.edu M. Schlabach (NEW TECHNOLOGY, continued) Bruce Moore had three systems demonstrated for Communica­ tion Services. They ultimately chose the Purup Eskoft for quality, price, and service. This new platem aker means faster service and better quality for the entire Station community’s printing needs. J. Zakour DEC Conducts On-Spot Pesticide Inspection at the Station Mike Searles, the Pesticide Control Specialist for the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), conducted an unannounced pesticide compliance inspection at the Experiment Station on November 14, 2002. “The good news is, no citations were noted during the inspection,” said Soon Kong, Environmental Health & Safety Manager at the Station. “The DEC inspector did infonn us that more pesticide compliance inspections will occur.” Future targeted areas are the greenhouse ranges, and buildings and grounds maintenance. Searles started the inspection in Jordan Hall, reviewing pesticide applicator record keeping procedures with Charie Hibbard, director of Human Resources. He finished by inspecting pesticide management procedures at the Fruit & Vegetable Farm Pesticide Facility with Mart VanKirk, Pesticide Facility Manager. The items subject to inspection were as follows: • Business registration posting Pesticide building information Record-keeping for the 2001 annual Required signage postings report to DEC regarding certified Disposal methods for surplus mixed pesticide applicators and spray pesticides recording D isposal methods for pesticide Type and number of spray equipment containers Water source Spray records for the past three years Pesticide sales Spray records for a recent application Pesticide storage Personal protective equipment “Charie and Marty are doing an outstanding job working with the Station community to comply with all DEC pesticide reporting and use regulations,” said Kong. To avoid any future DEC pesticide compliance citations, he strongly encourages Station employees to continue to maintain communications and a good working relationship with both Hibbard and VanKirk. “A clean inspection is to everybody’s credit,” said Kong. In dealing with future inspections from government regulatory agencies, Kong suggests the following. Ask for identification. N otify supervisor and/or Request that the Station’s EH&S department chair or unit leader. representative be present (notify Soon Be courteous. Kong at X2350 immediately; if not Keep answers simple and direct. there, page him at 315-249-8707). W hen you d on’t know the Proceed if the inspector won’t wait answer, tell them you will find and accompany the inspector at all out and get back to them. times. Take note(s) and/or take D on’t deal with hypothetical picture(s) of any violations. If situations. violations are easily or readily Fix any problems that are found correctable, fix them on the spot. as quickly as possible. 2 NOVEMBER 22-DECEMBER 6, 2002 Aooaal Station Club Holiday Party (For Station Club Member's children ages 10 &younger) rday, December 14, 2002 1:00 pn>- 3:00 pn> Jordan Hall Auditorium Members, pick up a coloring sheet from your Station Club Representative (the coloring sheet is so Santa knows who to bring gifts for) Come join us for crafts, fun and a visit from Santa! Pizza & punch will be provided by the Station Club. Bring a dish to pass or a favorite snack. Benefits Open Enrollment &Art Show C o rn e ll’s annual B enefits Open Enrollment period for endowed health and dental plans and the Select Benefits Dependent Care Account is Nov. 11-Dec. 6, 2002. The Open Enrollment period for the Select Benefits Medical Care Account is Nov. 11-Dec. 31, 2002. The state contract college health plans’ Option Transfer Period begins when NYS releases the new health rates and ends 30 days from the release date. At Geneva, the Benefair describing these and other options is Dec. 5, in Jordan Hall. If you wish to enter some of your art­ work for the Fine Art Exhibit which will run at the same time, contact Amy Andersen at adalO or x2314. THE 3RD ANNUAL u\ F in e a r t e x h ib it & B E N E F A IR D E C E M B E R .*>, 2 0 0 2 IN JO R D A N H A L L The New York State Agricultural Experiment Station is the recipient of the 2002 Perpetual Winegrape Productivity Tray. For the last 18 years, the tray has been awarded by the Vinfera Wine Growers Association (VWGA) to an individual or organization that has made exceptional contributions to the growth and development of the U.S. wine industry. The association is located in Alexandria, Virginia. The tray itself is a two-foot long, silver champagne service, with an engraved grape and vine border surrounding the tray. The logo of the VWGA is engraved in the center. The names of past winners are engraved on the back of the tray. Past winners include: Douglas P. Moorhead or Presque Isle Wine Cellars in Pennsylvania. Dr. G Hamilton Mowbray, Viticulturist, Enologist, Wine Educator, and Senator John W. Warner. The Station is the first winner from New York State. Tim Martinson accepted the award for the Station at the 27thAnnual Virginia Wine Festival. The tray is expected to be displayed in one of the cabinets in the Frank A. Lee Library, as soon as the cabinet is moved into the periodical room. The tray will reside at the Experiment Station for one year. A Letter of Thanks from President Rawlings Dear Pat Mahoney, November 7, 2002 Thank you so much for the bountiful selection of gifts you organized from the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station at Geneva and presented at the 2002 Employee Assembly Annual Address. It was quite a surprise to see that loaded wagon heading down the aisle. We used some of the produce to make a stunning centerpiece at a reception we hosted for new Cornell faculty that evening at our home, and the pumpkins greeted trick or treaters on our doorstep later that month. Elizabeth and I are still enjoying the fruit, preserves and wines. We will always have the wine glasses, mug and t-shirt to remind us of your kindness. Please share our appreciation with your colleagues who put so much effort and thought into this wonderful gift. Yours sincerely, Hunter R. Rawlings III Ah! on Thanksgiving day, when from East and from W e st From North and from South, com e the pilgrim and guest...” —J ohn G heenleaf W h ith er 3 NOVEMBER 22-DECEMBER 6, 2002 ---- CALENDAR of EVENTS----- NOVEMBER 22-DECEMBER 6, 2002 SEMINARS Horticultural Sciences Food Science & Technology Date: Time: Place: Speaker: Subject: Monday, November 25, 2002 11:00 AM Jordan Hall Staff Room Dr. Rasmus Nielson, Dept, of Biological Statistics and Compu­ tational Biology, Ithaca Detecting positive Darwinian selection in coding and non­ coding regions of DNA sequences Date: Time: Place: Speaker: Subject: Monday, December 9, 2002 11:00 AM Jordan Hall Staff Room Dr. Jeffrey Doyle, Dept, of Plant Biology, Ithaca Ancient and recent polyploidy of soybean and its wild perennial relatives Date: Time: Place: Speaker: Subject: Plant Pathology Tuesday, November 26, 2002 3:30 PM (Coffee at 3:00) Room A 133, Barton Lab Dr. Thomas Henick-Kling, Dept, of Food Science, Geneva The microbiology of wine­ making Date: Time: Place: Speaker: Subject: Tuesday, December 3, 2002 3:30 PM (Coffee at 3:00) Room A 133, Barton Lab Barrie Overton, Pennsylvania State University Systematics of Hypocrea with Effuse Stromata and Anamorphs Referable to Trichoderma Section Hypocreanum Red Cross Blood Drive Monday, November 25,9 AM - 3 PM in Jordan Hall Please contact Donna Roelofs (X2325 or drr2) to make an appointment. Date: Time: Place: Speaker: Subject: Wednesday, November 27,2002 10:30 AM FS&T Conference Room Second Floor Kathleen O ’Donnell, Wegman’s Wegman’s Food Safety Perspective Date: Time: Place: Speaker: Subject: Wednesday, December 4, 2002 10:30 AM FS&T Conference Room Second Floor Katherine Kittel, Dept, of Food Science, Geneva Gas Chromatography/ Olfacto­ metry Analysis of the Carabao Mango (Mangifera indica L. cultivar Carabao) Date: Time: Place: Speaker: Subject: Soil Seminar Wednesday, December 11,2002 9:00 AM-12:00 NOON Jordan Hall Auditorium Dr. Larry Geohring and Dr. Harold van Es Dr. Geohring will discuss how cultural practices, including irri­ gation, affect soil structure, sur­ face drainage, subsurface drain­ age, etc., and how to correct the problems. He will also discuss findings from a drainage study of some Research North plots. Dr. van Es will discuss soil tilth, maintenance of tilth, proper timing of tilling (including cultivation), operations that affect soil structure, tilth, health of the soil, and “repairing” soil after it has been “hurt.” LTC Due to Jane Irw in’s absence, the Open Labs that had been scheduled for the next month have been cancelled. Please contact library staff if you have questions. Defibrillator Training Course December 3, 9 AM-1 PM in Jordan Hall All staff are welcome to attend. Please register by e-mailing Lou Ann at lar38. FITNESS Aerobics Date: Mon. & Fri. Time: 12:10- 1 PM Place: Sawdust Cafe Taekardio Date: Mon. & Wed. Time: 12:10-1 PM Place: Jordan Hall Auditorium Semi Monthly Exempt Employees Pay Period November 16-30,2002 The last exempt payday for November will be Friday November 29, 2002, which is during the Thanksgiving break. Checks and advices will be distributed on Monday December 2, 2002. Direct deposits will be processed on schedule and should be available in employee bank accounts on November 29, 2002. Now is the time to sign up for direct deposit to ensure that your December 31 pay is available on 12/31/02. The exempt semi­ monthly pay will be available as direct deposit on December 31, 2002. Checks and advices will not be handed out until January 2, 2003. Direct Deposit Forms can be found on Payroll’s web Page: www.univco.Cornell, edu/payroll/home.html CLASSIFIEDS FOR SALE: 1995 Ford Explorer XLT 4x4, 6-cyl, auto, AC, cruise control, power steering, windows, lock, and mirrors. Stereo + 6xCD-changer, moonroof. 103k miles. The car is grey metallic and in good condition. Asking $6,200 or BO. Contact Ulf and Dace at 315-789-6169 or ulf.erlandsson® intentia.se CLEANING OUT THE GARAGE? We’ll take used wooden snow sleds with runners, smaller sized for children ages 4-8. They need only be in good working order, as we are experts in reconditioning them! Also looking for used tobogan of any size. Contact Gregg, x 2433 or geh 11@cornell.edu. FOREIGN COINS AND STAMPS needed for my niece and nephew’s collections for part of their holiday gifts. Also looking for older American half dollar or dollar coins for my younger nephews. Happy to exchange for home made cookies or equivalent American currency. Drop in campus mail to C. Heidenreich, Plant Path. (x2367, mcm4@cornell.edu) FREE: Bare-rooted trees (exotic and common oaks, nuts, fruit, etc.) 6 inches to 3 ft tall to anyone who can plant them right away. White, swamp white, burr, English, fastigated English, Turkish, Mongolian, Japanese sawtoothed oaks; pecans, Carpathian walnuts, Asian hybrid chestnuts, pawpaws, large leafed Magnolias. First come first serve. Rain or shine. Saturday, Nov. 16 and Saturday. Nov. 23 from 9 AM-3 PM. At residence of Ann and Don Cobb, 625 West River Road, Waterloo. NY, phone 789-3701. From Rt 5 and 20 east of Seneca Lake State park, turn right on 96A, take first left (east) on W. River Road about 0.6 mile on left. FOR SALE: Couch, mauve, very good condition, $150. Contact Nancy Long (NPLI). FOR RENT: small two-bedroom trailer, basement, garage, nice yard. Less than 2 miles from Station.. hlw7@nysaes.cornell.edu phone: 2433 or 781-8504. FOR RENT: Large 1 bedroom apartment, walking distance from Station. $500/month plus electric. Security deposit re­ quired. Contact dbclO or 781-1808. FOR RENT: New furnished home on east side of Seneca Lake. Available 10/15/02 - 5/31/03. Contact Penny at 315-585-2259 or pylI @nysaes.cornell.edu FOR SALE: professional drafting table, Hamilton VR20. 3'x5‘. power lift, excellent condition, $300. Call Dave x2496.