Aug 26, 2021

Anya Osatuke named Cornell CCE’s Western NY Berry Extension specialist

Growers in western New York will be seeing a new face around the Cornell Cooperative Extension offices. Anya Osatuke has joined the team as western New York berry Extension specialist.

Osatuke grew up in Ohio near Cincinnati, the daughter of Russian immigrants. She spent her summers eating honeyberries, currants, gooseberries and strawberries while visiting her grandparents in Russia.

Osatuke studied botany and Russian at Miami University of Ohio, and moved on to Cornell University to get a master’s in horticulture. At Cornell, Osatuke was mentored by Marvin Pritts and Gavin Sacks. She studied how strawberry production methods can affect the chemistry of the fruits. After graduation, Osatuke continued to work with Pritts to measure how weather can influence strawberry fruit quality.

As the western New York berry Extension specialist, Osatuke is eager to work with growers to help grow and market their berries and small fruits.

Every Thursday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m,, Osatuke co-hosts Berry Office Hours, an informal Zoom Q&A session with eastern New York Bberry Specialist Laura McDermott.

Contact Osatuke at 607-752-2793 or [email protected].