The mission of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station (NYSAES) is to support New York's agricultural sector with research and education, provide consumers with access to wholesome, high quality and affordable
food, reduce the environmental impacts of farming, and promote economic growth. NYSAES research and extension programs have delivered on this mission for over a century with new fruit and vegetable varieties, growing recommendations validated by rigorous science, and food processing systems that safeguard human health. Recent NYAES accomplishments in these areas are reported below.

NYSAES Impact: From developing safe and nutritious foods to pioneering means to preserve the environment, NYSAES has been addressing the concerns and serving millions of New York consumers, agricultural producers, food businesses and farm families throughout the state. Moving into the 21st century, New York must capitalize on new food and agricultural opportunities and NYSAES is uniquely positioned to translate state-of-the art research into industry innovation and economic growth.

2007-2009: Accomplishments include the release of new wine grape and cherry varieties, a new program in shub willow breeding for bioenergy, publication of the Sustainable Viticulture Practices Workbook, and a new program to manage plum pox in New York State.

2004-2006: The Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park was established in 2005 on land adjacent to NYSAES. Accomplishments include the release of a high vitamin A cauliflower variety, new cherry and plum varieties, methods to reduce pesticide use on snap beans and onions, publication of the Guide for Organic Insect and Disease Management, and web-based tools to help farmers manage grape disease.

2002-2003: Accomplishments include the release of the red wine grape GR7, two strawberry varieties, two cherry varieties, and apples with longer shelf life, strategies to reduce fungicide use in grapes and carrots, improved processing methods for potatoes and apple cider, and educational workshops for small processors of value-added products.

2001: Cornell's agricultural spray program was relocated to Geneva. Accomplishments include improvements in pest and disease management, including reductions of fungicide sprays and use of biocontrols, the identification of superior clones of Pinot noir for the Finger Lakes, and new food safety guidelines for the use of manure fertilizers.

2000: Two new facilities were established on campus: the Vinification and Brewing Technology Lab and the Northeast Center for Food Entrepreneurship. Accomplishments include the collection of apple diversity from Turkey, publication of the second edition of the reference book Turfgrass Insects of the United States, and spray technology recommendations that improve spray efficiency by 50%.

1999: Accomplishments include publication of The 1999 Integrated Crop and Pest Management Guidelines for Commercial Vegetable Production, new orchard insect management programs that reduce the need for organophosphate insecticides, and a system to identify prime sites for grape production that integrates maps of soil, topography, and climate.

1998: Accomplishments include the release of new varieties of raspberry, squash, and dwarfing apple rootstocks, strategies for improving plant root health that reduce pesticide and insecticide use, an expedition to China to collect valuable apple diversity, and approval to release the first genetically engineered perennial fruit tree (papaya) in the United States.