Over the last century, apple breeders at Cornell have named 62 apple varieties. These added value and diversity to the New York apple industry until they were replaced by newer varieties. Some Cornell varieties continue to receive national and international recognition, and remain popular with consumers and growers to this day.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University is at the forefront of a research effort whose long-term impact will be to supply sufficient energy to sustain and expand economic prosperity over the next 20 years while reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

Farmworkers are important stakeholders in New York. The Cornell Farmworker Program (CFP) serves as the coordinating umbrella unit at Cornell University to address the needs of farmworkers, their employers, and the communities in which they live.

Maple production is part of the rich cultural history and economy of New York. Maple producers, like other farmers, are stewards of the land and committed to ensuring the sustainability of their harvest.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences addresses the challenges that impact the New York State dairy industry. The following examples illustrate some of Cornell's ongoing work on behalf of dairy farmers and processors.

Enology and Viticulture Programs at Cornell help New York's wine and grape industry by providing research-based technology and education that helps grow the industry.

With its unusual scholarly breadth and outreach capacity, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) of Cornell University is extraordinarily well positioned to be a leading global force for creating and delivering the best scientific knowledge and practical solutions in the fields of environmental science and sustainability.

Cornell researchers are working to enhance the microbial safety of fruits and vegetables to help ensure a safer food supply.

Department of Food Science researchers, staff, students, and faculty are at the forefront of identifying outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, devising new ways to protect the safety of our food supply, making advancements in nutrition and food quality, and supporting New York state’s economy through applied research for agriculture, dairy, and consumer food industries.

The Northeast Center for Food Entrepreneurship (NECFE) at Cornell is increasing the knowledge and competency of start-up food companies and acting as an economic engine for development in rural and urban areas.

The New York State Community Integrated Pest Management (NYS CIPM) Program at Cornell University is the only one of its kind in the country and addresses pest problems where people live, learn, work, and play—using methods that pose minimal risk to human health and the environment. We help the state’s 19 million residents find new alternative ways to manage the pests that damage our landscapes, contaminate our food and living spaces, and pose risks to human health. Funds for the NYS CIPM Program, during seven of the last eight years, have been provided by New York State through an appropriation to the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Invasive species affect every region of New York State. Across the U.S., more than 4,500 non-indigenous species have established self-sustaining populations and pose a serious threat to agriculture, human health and the ecological integrity of our lands and waters. Several, like chestnut blight and Gypsy moth have significantly altered forest ecosystems.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) are committed to meeting the research and extension needs of the Lake Erie grape producing region at the new facility in Portland New York.

The demand for organic foods has doubled in the past decade and continues to grow. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is conducting research to help growers and producers meet that demand.

Climate data for the last 50 years show dramatic changes in temperature and precipitation at the global, national, regional, and state level.Political and public policy attention is increasingly focused on calculating the speed and extent of change and responding to the potential future impact of the general warming trend. For the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, addressing the opportunities and challenges of climate change is a top priority.

Scientists from Cornell University's New York State Agricultural Experiment Station have partnered with the Geneva City School District to enhance elementary science education and bring agricultural science to Geneva third and fourth grade students.

The Small Fruits Breeding program at Cornell University was established with the opening of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY in 1882. The program's focus today includes strawberry, raspberry and blackberry breeding.