Highland NY - Threatening skies and on-and-off-again rain did little to dampen the spirits and festive mood of over 230 people who showed up to help the Hudson Valley Laboratory celebrate its 75th Anniversary on Tuesday, July 7. Guests visited laboratories, viewed various exhibits and displays, and walked, seemingly oblivious to the wet grass and intermittent drizzle, through the research orchards.

Weather-along with its effect on this year's fruit crop-was just one of many subjects discussed during the orchard tour. Among the victims, the Bosc pear, injured by frost; cherries that split due to excessive moisture; and apple trees that had a higher incidence of scab than usual, also due to excessive moisture. One participant, shaking his head, said, "This year, Mother Nature is taking no prisoners."

Praise for the HVL ran high among those in attendance. Bill Yonnetti, Manager of Hudson Valley Farms commented, "These guys help me a lot. Sometimes, I'm here every day asking questions. We'll have lunch together once in awhile, and they'll come out to my orchard at the drop of a hat!"

Alice Tipp, an Ulster County Legislator, remarked, "This is a fantastic program, and they do wonderful things for the growers. It's just a great resource for both the community and the farmers."

After the various tours and laboratory demonstrations, lab superintendent Dave Rosenberger kicked off the formal program. He introduced the staff and noted that Dick Straub, who has the longest tenure of all the HVL employees, is able to run the Entomology program and still play golf and handball. Rosenberger made some brief remarks about work at the Hudson Valley Lab, adding that without support from Cornell and the Geneva Station, they would not be able to operate.

Dave Fraleigh, President of the Hudson Valley Research Laboratory Inc., offered a short history of the Hudson Valley Lab, and Tony Moriello, Chairman of the New York Apple Research and Development Program, talked about "Fruitgrower Perspectives on Agricultural Research and Extension." Director of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Jim Hunter, noted that the "Hudson Valley Lab has played a vital role in keeping agriculture strong in Eastern New York, and the work done at Geneva and Ithaca has been an important part of this effort." He talked briefly about the challenges of the past 25 years since he came to help celebrate the Lab's 50th Anniversary, and outlined some of the challenges for the next 25 years including the Fruit Quality Protection Act, marketing issues, and the globalization of agriculture.

Dean of Cornell University College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Daryl Lund praised the Hudson Valley Lab, calling it "a good example of cooperation and collaboration between the public and private sectors," and he said, "This type of partnership is a model for the past and a direction for the future." He stressed the importance of revolution in biology, stating that "Cornell is making an investment in this revolution."

After the program, a barbecue dinner was served, and Dr. Domo's Cajun Swing Orchestra provided music.

The next morning, Rosenberger summarized the event. "The 75th Anniversary Celebration at the Hudson Valley Lab was a great success. It provided an opportunity for the scientists and staff at the Lab to showcase the facility and explain some of their on-going research programs. Perhaps more importantly, it served to bring the agricultural community of eastern NY together for an enjoyable social event. It was a real honor to have Dr. Jim Hunter and Dean Daryl Lund present to celebrate with us.

Dave Rosenberger leads a tour through the
research orchards.

A young guest helps her grandmother with a
microscope exhibit.

Displays about various insect pests were just
one of many stops on the guided tour of the lab.

Fritz Meyer shows a group of visitors the
NYS Agricultural Experiment Station Web site.
PHOTOS: J. Ogrodnick, Cornell Univ.