How Do You Like Them Apples?

There’s nothing quite like biting into a crisp apple plucked right from the tree. But which apple varieties are the optimal for your local climate, which hold the longest, and — perhaps most importantly — which taste the best?

These are just some of the questions that Susan Brown, the head of Cornell’s apple breeding program, will address in this special session. Professor Brown will discuss the science of apple breeding, offer tips and tricks for growing your own apples, and introduce the three newest varieties Cornell is bringing to market: Cordera, Pink Luster, and Firecracker.

Cornell’s apple breeding program is the oldest of its kind in the United States and one of the largest in the world. It has released well over 60 varieties, including such supermarket staples as Cortland, Empire, and Jonagold apples.

REGISTER NOW

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

• What goes into the apple breeding process
  
• How apples are bred for uniqueness, flavor, storage, and shelf life
  
• How Professor Brown’s breeding program has impacted the apple industry, both in New York State and beyond
  
• The distinguishing characteristics of various apple varieties, including the three new ones Cornell is bringing to market
  
• Tips for getting started on your own apple breeding adventure
  

SPEAKER:  Susan Brown, Professor, Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Susan Brown is the head of Cornell’s apple breeding program and the Herman M. Cohn Professor of Agriculture and Life Science at Cornell CALS. Dr. Brown’s apple breeding program at Cornell is one of the largest fruit breeding programs in the world. Dr. Brown’s research objectives include the development of new superior varieties for the apple industry with unique flavors, exceptional crispness, enhanced storage and shelf life, and the incorporation of resistance to disease and insect pests, and training students in the science of fruit breeding and genetics.