Stephen Reiners

Stephen Reiners is a Professor in the School of Integrative Plant Science, Horticulture Section at Cornell AgriTech, part of Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. His work focuses on vegetable production research and extension, serving New York's vegetable farming industry through both short-term practical solutions and long-term sustainable practices.

Education:

• Doctorate from The Ohio State University (1987)
• Master of Science from Rutgers University (1983)
• Bachelor of Science from Rutgers University (1980)

Dr. Reiners' research interests center on processing vegetable production systems with emphasis on peas, beans, and sweet corn. His work addresses critical challenges in vegetable farming including disease management, particularly Phytophthora blight in peppers and vine crops, cover crop integration for nutrient cycling and disease suppression, fertility management optimization, and variety selection for both conventional and organic systems. His extension efforts focus on translating research findings into practical applications for New York vegetable growers.

Dr. Reiners' publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on applied vegetable production research with particular emphasis on disease management in solanaceous crops and optimizing cultural practices for processing vegetables. His work bridges plant pathology, horticulture, and agronomy to address real-world production challenges faced by vegetable farmers.

Scientific Awards:

• Best Paper (2013), American Society for Horticultural Sciences (ASHS), Northeast Region

As Department Extension Leader, Dr. Reiners mentors new faculty and Cornell Cooperative Extension educators, helping them navigate university resources and develop effective extension programs. He serves as the Cornell liaison to grower organizations and organizes annual advisory meetings to identify industry priorities. Dr. Reiners co-leads the Western N.Y. CCE Cornell Vegetable Team and the Capital District Vegetable and Small Fruit Program, coordinating research and extension efforts across multiple locations. He also provides science outreach to local elementary schools through a Science Summer Camp for 4th graders.

Dr. Reiners leads the Processing Vegetable Research and Extension Program at Cornell AgriTech in Geneva, NY, which conducts annual variety trials for processing peas, snap beans, dry beans, and sweet corn. His program maintains strong connections with the Empire State Fruit and Vegetable Expo, which he organizes annually and attracts over 1,000 industry stakeholders.