Extension Winter Events!

From the Cornell Cooperative Extension:
 
January 5 to 8, 2009 - Kiln Drying Workshop: Drying Quality Lumber for Profit. Held at State University of New York - College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse This course will provide practical knowledge about how wood is effectively kiln dried, and scientific background on related wood properties and drying processes. It will have value for novice as well as experienced kiln operators, and sales, purchasing, marketing and manufacturing managers. Instruction will be in the classroom and through hands-on lab exercises using a modern kiln. Fees: received by December 17: $445 OR received after December 17: $495. For more information or go to http://www.esf.edu/outreach/kiln/default.htm
 
Tuesdays, January 6th through February 10th - Positive Parenting Series – 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 East Main St., Batavia.  Nutrition and Parenting Educator Mariellen Woodward-DeFelice will teach the following classes: Anger in the Family, Responsibility and Your Children, Disciplining Your Children, Setting Limits and Expectations, Winning Ways to Talk with Kids, and Family Enrichment. The series is offered at no cost to Genesee county residents and at a nominal fee for residents of surrounding counties. The next series will begin February 24th. For more information or to register contact Mariellen by phone at 343-3040, ext. 105, e-mail mew33@cornell.edu, or stop by the Extension Center located at 420 E. Main Street in Batavia.
 
January 9 & 10, 2009 - New York State Maple Producers Winter Conference. Held at Verona-Sherrill High School in Verona, NY. The V.V.S. High School is located between Utica and Syracuse, on State Rte 31 two minutes from NYS Thruway Exit 33.
 
The conference starts Friday evening with a featured speaker at 7:00 PM and industry trade show highlighting maple equipment, manufacturers, and vendors scheduled from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM. Saturday’s trade show opens at 8:00 AM with workshops starting at 9:00AM. Saturday’s program features 30 of the industry’s leading maple experts from throughout North America and Canada presenting in a variety of concurrent workshops. The conference is open to the general public, as well as maple producers, and is geared to all levels of sugar makers.
 
For additional information contact V.V.S. FFA advisor Keith Schiebel at kschiebel@vvsschools.org. Registration forms will also be available at the New York State Maple Producers Website: www.nysmaple.com or the Cornell Maple Program Website http://maple.dnr.cornell.edu/ .
 
January 12th at 5:30 p.m. – Board of Directors Meeting. Held at Cornell Cooperative Extension, 420 East Main St. in Batavia.  For more information call 343-3040, ext. 112.
 
January 14th - WNY Corn Congress. Held at the Holiday Inn, Batavia. Contact Cathy Wallace at (585) 343-3040 x138 for more information.
 
January 17th - Western NY Maple School. For more information contact Lutie Batt, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Wyoming County, 401 North Main Street, Warsaw NY 14569, Phone: 585-786-2251.
 
January 17 and 31, 2009 from 9 am to 3 pm - Beginning a Successful Small Farm Operation. Niagara County Cornell Cooperative Extension 4487 Lake Avenue, Lockport, NY. Pre-registration is required by January 9th. Cost $100.00 per family/farm enterprise. If you would like to learn more about the opportunities for small scale farming, please join us at the next workshop series. This introductory course is designed for small, part-time or perspective farmers with little to no previous agriculture experience. Contact Paul Lehman at 716-433-8839 x241 (E-mail: pel5@cornell.edu) for more information.
 
January 20 - 21 - Best Management Practices for Potato Production. Held at the Holiday Inn, 441 Electronics Parkway in Liverpool NY. This annual "Potato Short Course" is intended to provide more in depth education for potato growers and associated industry personnel in selected topics of major importance to potato production and utilization. This January we will provide extensive information on how to best use production inputs, reduce crop risk and produce a quality crop. Biology and physiology of the potato plant and disease/pest organisms will be discussed to help growers understand what conditions are most favorable for good crop production or are more favorable for disease or pest development and potential for spread. Management strategies will be illustrated which incorporate aspects of the pest’s biology, grower cropping history and control options. Potato varieties will be discussed which have multiple attributes such as various levels of disease or insect resistance, offer excellent competition to weeds and are well adapted to NYS growing conditions and hence require fewer chemical inputs. DEC Pesticide Recertification Credits have been requested.  There is no fee to attend. Sponsored by the Empire State Growers, Inc. Contact Don Halseth, Cornell University, if you plan to attend at 607-255-5460 or deh3@cornell.edu.
 
January 28th - Ontario County Maple Beginners Workshop. For more information contact Russell Welser, Cornell Cooperative Extension Ontario County, 480 North Main Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424, Phone: 585.394.3977
 
January 29th from 7 to 9pm - Farmland Protection and Purchase of Development Rights. Held at Genesee County Building II, 3837 West Main Street Rd. in Batavia. Designed for community leaders, farmers, grant writers, town planners, town attorneys, appraisers and anyone with an interest in farmland protection in our region. The workshop provides a comprehensive review of the process for creating successful Purchase of Development Rights projects and programs in your communities including a review of grant applications and case scenarios. Please RSVP to Holly McAllister, Genesee County Planning Department at 585-344-2580 ext. 5467 or hmcallister@co.genesee.ny.us.
 
February 4th - WNY Soybean/Small Grains Congress. Held at the Batavia Party House in Stafford. Contact Cathy Wallace at (585) 343-3040 x138 for more information.
 
February 9th at 5:30 p.m. – Board of Directors Meeting. Held at Cornell Cooperative Extension, 420 East Main St. in Batavia.  For more information call 343-3040, ext. 112.
 
February 10th - Becker Forum on Ag Labor. To be held at the Holiday Inn Liverpool, Syracuse, NY. Contact NYSVGA@twcny.rr.com for more information.
 
February 11th and 12th - Empire State Fruit and Vegetable Expo. Held at the Oncenter Convention Center, Syracuse, NY. Contact NYSVGA@twcny.rr.com for more information.
 
Saturdays beginning February 14th - NYS Tractor and Farm Machinery Safety Course - Course instruction and intensive training in tractor and farm  machinery safety, leading to  certification is being planned for Saturday mornings at various dealerships in Genesee County  beginning on February 14, 2009.  Classes include general tractor maintenance, safe farm equipment operation and safety issues in general.  This training is offered only once a year and is for youth ages 14-16.  Please take a look at the flyer on our website for more details (http//genesee.cce.cornell.edu). Please call Amy Berry at 343-3040, ext. 106 to register to receive further information about the class when it becomes available.
 
February 21st from 9 am to NOON - 4-H Public Presentations. Genesee County 4-H members will have an opportunity to make 15-minute presentations on a topic of their choice.  Held at Byron-Bergen Central High School. Free and open to the public.  For more information call Barb Sturm at 343-3040, ext. 122 or stop by the Extension Center located at 420 East Main St. in Batavia.
 
March 16th to 20th - Ag Literacy Week. Ag Literacy Week unites communities and schools.  Volunteers bring New York agriculture into local schools by sharing a special story and leading educational activities.  Volunteer in your community and get this year's book donated to your school of library.  For more information on volunteer for Ag Literacy Day, please contact Barb Sturm at (585) 343-3040, ext. 122 or via e-mail at bbs28@cornell.edu.
 
March 21st - 7th Annual Celebrate Agriculture Dinner – Held at the Alexander Fire Hall, Route 98 in Alexander, NY. Sponsors of the event include Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, Genesee County Farm Bureau and Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District. This extremely popular community tradition has become firmly established as a festive, fun filled get-together, and an opportunity to come together and socialize before the beginning of another growing season. Open to the general public. Tickets are $25 per person or $230 for a table of 10.  Only 400 tickets will be sold and no tickets will be sold at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets call Michelle at 343-3040, ext. 107.
 
2009 Agriculture Enrollment - This service provides subscribers with up-to-date information on trends in the agricultural sector by utilizing research-based knowledge from Cornell University. Included in this service, at no charge, are direct mailings of "emergency information" for commodities of interest to you and voting privileges at the Extension Association's annual meeting to determine organization leadership. The deadline for enrollment in the 2009 agriculture information service is February 1, 2009. Call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County at (585) 343-3040 ext. 126 or visit the Extension Center located at 420 East Main St. in Batavia for more information and enrollment packets.
 
4-H Participants - Please check the Extension website and refer to the monthly calendar for new and on-going events and deadlines. If you are interested in joining the 4-H program contact Amy at 343-3040, ext. 106 or stop by Cornell Cooperative Extension, located at 420 East Main St. in Batavia.
 
4-H Local Government Intern Program - Designed for high school Juniors & Seniors. Orientation meeting 7 pm on February 2nd at the Old County Courthouse in Batavia.
For more information on this program contact Chip Malone at (585) 343-3040, ext. 130.
 
Coffee and Dessert Series - If you want to socialize and learn about gardening, why not consider participating in the Coffee and Dessert Programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County.  This is the fourth year of this popular program of classes presented by Community Educator Gail Culver and Genesee County Master Gardeners.  During the program participants will enjoy a cup of coffee or tea along with desserts homemade by the Master Gardeners. For more information and to register call Amy at 343-3040, ext. 106 or stop by the Extension Center located at 420 East Main St. in Batavia.
 
Eat SMART New York - This free, confidential program for food stamp participants and limited income individuals and families explores parenting strategies, healthy meal options, and ways to stretch food dollars. For more information and to schedule an appointment, call the nutrition and parenting education program at 343-3040, ext. 134 or stop by Cornell Cooperative Extension, located at 420 East Main St. in Batavia.
 
Master Gardeners - Get answers on everything from landscaping to pest management. Free service. Call 343-3040, ext. 127, 10 a.m. to Noon, Monday through Friday or e-mail geneseemg@cornell.edu, or visit the Master Gardener Office at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 East Main St., Batavia.
 
Master Gardener Home Diagnostic Service - Genesee County Master Gardeners conduct on-site visits to diagnose plant and pest problems, test soil pH, advise homeowners on gardening practices and more. Cost is $25 for the first hour and $15 for each additional hour. Fee includes informational packets, soil testing and diagnostic results. To schedule an appointment, contact Gail Culver, Consumer Horticulture Educator at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, at 343-3040, ext. 132, e-mail gac11@cornell.edu, or visit the Master Gardener Office at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 East Main St., Batavia.
 
Master Gardener Speakers' Bureau - Providing talks on a variety of topics, such as wildlife, local bird life, organic gardening, landscaping and more. Programs can be tailored to meet audience needs. Fee is $50, or $25 for non-profits in Genesee and surrounding counties. For more information call Gail Culver, Consumer Horticulture Educator, at 343-3040, ext. 132, e-mail gac11@cornell.edu or stop by Cornell Cooperative Extension, located at 420 East Main St. in Batavia.