Darcy E.P. Telenko has been hired as the newest extension educator for the Cornell Vegetable Program. Joining the five other specialists on the team, Telenko will add additional resources to the regional program which serves the commercial vegetable industry in 11 Western, NY counties.
She begins as a vegetable production specialist, bringing expertise in plant pathology, soil science and weed management. This new team position was identified three years ago due to growth of the program.
“After a prolonged search, we are confident that we have hired the right person for the position,” said Julie Kikkert, program team coordinator.”
Originally from Batavia, Darcy grew up on a dairy and produce farm and managed the planting, harvesting, and sale of fruit and vegetables for Partridge’s On the Farm Market. Summers were spent as an IPM scout in WNY.
She earned her B.S. degree at Cornell University, M.S. at Southern Illinois University in plant and soil science, and Ph.D. in plant pathology and crop science from North Carolina State University. Her post-doctoral research in Virginia focused on disease management of agronomic crops, including the evaluation of disease resistance in transgenic peanut lines. Most recently she conducted research and extension trials in turfgrass, agronomic, and vegetable crops at the University of Florida, West Florida Research and Education Center.
Darcy will temporarily be residing with family in Batavia with her office at CCE Erie County. Initially she will be working four days per week until her family joins her early next year. Darcy’s husband, Dominic Telenko, will be retiring from the U.S. military where he is a Navy pilot. The couple has two children, Sophia and Vincent.
