Skip to main content

Cornell Cooperative Extension

CDL training offered for agriculture producers

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, in collaboration with Genesee Valley Educational Partnership, will be offering a CDL Training Program for Genesee County agriculture producers and their employees for Class A and Class B licenses. This training program is designed for producers and farm employees that have some experience with commercial truck operation.

An informational meeting will be held on Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Cornell Cooperative Extension building at 420 E. Main St., Batavia. This meeting will explain how the program works and answer any questions you may have. The required training materials and medical forms will be passed out at this time.

Classroom training dates are Feb. 1 and 2, 7 to 9 p.m., at the Cornell Cooperative Extension building located at 420 E. Main St. in Batavia. Full payment (check or cash) will be required at the Feb. 1st class. The cost for Class A is $625 and the cost for Class B is $475.

Class size is limited. Registration is required and will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Jan. 23rd or until the class is full.

For more information or to register, contact Jan Beglinger at 585-343-3040 x 132 or Brandie Schultz at ext. 101.

Time to sign up for 4-H tractor safety course

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Genesee County 4-H Youth Development Program will be offering the National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program to local youth ages 14 to 18. This course will qualify youth to be certified to operate farm equipment for hire. The course is scheduled to run Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon, beginning in January and running through March.

The training program encompasses 32 hours of hands-on instruction. Upon the completion of the training, each student will be required to take a 50-question knowledge test with a minimum passing score of 70 percent. Students who successfully pass the knowledge test will be permitted to take the Skills and Driving tests. After passing both the written test and driving tests, students ages 14 and 15 will receive their formal certification from U.S. Department of Labor, all others will receive a certificate of completion.  

The fee for the course is $25; youth are also required to be current enrolled 4-H members.

To request a registration packet or more information please call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County at 343-3040, ext. 101, or email: genesee4h@cornell.edu.

Say 'Cheese'! Cornell Extension offers cheese tasting and evaluation workshop, deadline to register is Nov. 3

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Cornell Cooperative Extension Genesee County will present a Cheese Tasting and Evaluation workshop at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10 at the Extension Center at 420 E. Main St., Batavia. If you love cheese, then you won’t want to miss this two-hour class!

Learn all about the cheese making process while sampling a variety of cheeses, all made in New York State!

The cost to attend the class is $15 per person and class size is limited! The last class sold out quickly, so be sure and register today. To register and for payment information, please contact Samantha at 585-343-3040, ext. 123 or sls428@cornell.edu. Registration deadline is Nov. 3.

All information about the workshop can be found by clicking here

The class (6:30 to 8:30 p.m.) will be presented by Carl Moody, Dairy Processing Specialist with Harvest New York. Carl is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and holds a bachelor’s degree in Food Science. Following graduation, he worked at the Friendship Dairy in Friendship, NY, and most recently held a position as a quality assurance manager for 13 years with Lactalis American Group Inc. (Sorrento Cheese) in Buffalo.

For more information about Harvest New York, visit http://harvestny.cce.cornell.edu/.

Photos: Fall Master Gardeners' Gala at Cornell Cooperative Extension

By Howard B. Owens

cornellmgfall2016.jpg

It was on a Saturday in September 10 years ago that I first drove into Batavia.

I returned to that event today to sort of mark the anniversary.

It was through a calendar item in the Gardener's Journal 10 years ago that I saw something about a Master Gardeners' Gala at the Cornell Cooperative Extension in a placed called Batavia.

"Batavia can't be too far of a drive," I thought, while sitting in my hotel room in Fairport.  

I made the drive, and it was a bit more of a drive than I expected, but eventually, I found Batavia, and I found it charming.

I came out here looking for information on growing roses in Western New York (we were getting ready to move from Bakersfield, Calif.) and left charmed by this little city.

Little did I know then, that within two years, I would be starting an online news site for Genesee County and eventually moving here myself. But Billie and I are quite happy with that turn of events.

Thank you all for supporting our experiment in online-only news and embracing and accepting us as you have.

And yes, I've found it possible to quite successfully grow roses in Western New York.

cornellmgfall2016-2.jpg

cornellmgfall2016-3.jpg

Annual meeting of Cornell Cooperative Extension is Oct. 18, RSVP by Oct. 11

By Billie Owens

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County will host its annual meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 18. The meeting will begin at 5 p.m. at Terry Hills Restaurant, 5122 Clinton Street Road, Batavia.

The meeting is free and open to the public but venue space is limited. Those planning to attend should RSVP by Oct. 11 to Samantha Stryker at sls428@cornell.edu or (585) 343-3040, ext. 123.

Master Gardeners Fall Garden Gala is Saturday morning at Cornell Extension office in Batavia

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Genesee County Master Gardeners will be hosting their annual Fall Garden Gala from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 17, at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 E. Main St. in Batavia.

There will be a plant sale featuring hardy perennials, house plants and local field grown mums. Fall is a good time to plant many perennials as they will have several months to grow a strong root system. There will also be a Chance Basket Auction, free soil pH testing and plenty of gardening advice from Master Gardeners.

There will be a “Flower Arrangements from the Garden” demonstration at 11 o'clock. Learn how to artfully arrange fresh flowers from your garden. A variety of fresh flower arrangements created by Master Gardeners will also be available for sale.

Don’t miss your chance to pick up some great plants for your garden! Plant sale starts promptly at 10. No early birds please. Due to the drought, the number of plants we have to offer this fall may be limited. The Chance Auction drawing will begin at 12:30 p.m.

For more information contact Brandie Schultz at CCE of Genesee County, (585) 343-3040, ext. 101, stop by the Extension office at 420 E. Main St. in Batavia, or visit our new CCE website http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/gardening or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CCEofGenesee.

Three 'Garden Talks' remaining for 2016 season at Cornell Cooperative Extension

By Billie Owens

Press release:

As summer winds down and we head into fall, there are still three more “Garden Talk” programs this year!

Taught by Master Gardeners, programs will be held once a month, during the “lunch hour” from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. Bring your lunch to the Cornell Cooperative Extension Office (420 E. Main St., Batavia) and join us. This series is free and open to the public. Registration is not required.

Sept. 6 will be a follow up to our May herb program. After growing your herbs all summer, what can you do with them now? We’ll give you some ideas of things you can use your herbs for.

On Oct. 4, get ready to feed your backyard birds as we’ll offer tips and answer questions about Winter Bird Feeding.

Nov. 1 will be a demonstration on how to make a beautiful holiday swag to decorate your home.

Need a Garden Talk schedule? Contact Brandie at 585-343-3040, ext. 101.

Future topics and other Master Gardener events will be posted on the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County website at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/ and also on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CCEofGenesee.

Genesee County Master Gardeners to host annual Fall Garden Gala on Sept. 17

By Billie Owens

Genesee County Master Gardeners will be hosting their annual Fall Garden Gala from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17, at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 E. Main St. in Batavia.

There will be a plant sale featuring hardy perennials, house plants and local field grown Mums. Fall is a good time to plant many perennials as they will have several months to grow a strong root system. There will also be a Chance Basket Auction, free soil pH testing and plenty of gardening advice from Master Gardeners.

There will be a “Flower Arrangements from the Garden” demonstration at 11 a.m.  Learn how to artfully arrange fresh flowers from your garden. A variety of fresh flower arrangements created by Master Gardeners will also be available for sale.

Don’t miss your chance to pick up some great plants for your garden! Plant sale starts promptly at 10 a.m. No early birds please. Due to the drought, the number of plants we have to offer this fall may be limited. The Chance Auction drawing will begin at 12:30 p.m.

For more information contact Brandie Schultz at CCE of Genesee County, (585) 343-3040, ext. 101, stop by the Extension office at 420 E. Main St. in Batavia, or visit our new CCE website http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/gardening or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CCEofGenesee.

Cornell extension to offer Master Gardener Training on Wednesday nights this fall, registration deadline is Aug. 26

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County will be offering Master Gardener Training on from 6 to 9 on Wednesday evenings, starting Sept. 7 and running through Nov. 16. There will also be a full day on Saturday, Nov. 5. Classes will be held at the CCE office at 420 E. Main St., Batavia.

Each class will focus on a different horticulture topic throughout the training. By attending the Master Gardener training, you will become a more knowledgeable gardener.  Participants will learn about the following horticulture topics: botany, diagnosing plant diseases, entomology, soils & fertilizers, lawn care, herbs, vegetable gardening, weed identification, woody ornamentals, pruning, tree and small fruits, perennials and annuals, nuisance wildlife and organic gardening.

Anyone interested in learning more about gardening may attend the course. Pre-registration by Aug. 26 is required. Class size will be limited. No walk-ins will be accepted. The fee for this horticulture training is $225 per person, which includes all class sessions and materials, as well as the Cornell University Master Gardener Manual on CD.

If you have a passion for volunteering and gardening, this training is the first requirement to becoming a Genesee County Master Gardener. Graduates of the program (Genesee county residents) are then eligible to apply to become a Genesee County Master Gardener volunteer. (Other county residents should contact their local Master Gardener program.) A Master Gardener volunteer should have a willingness to give back to the community and help put into practice what they learned at training. Enthusiasm for sharing their skills and knowledge is a must.

For an informational brochure or to register contact Brandie Schultz at 585-343-3040, ext. 101, or stop by the Extension office located at 420 E. Main St. in Batavia.

Next lunchtime Garden Talk at Batavia Cornell Extension is July 12, topic is growing flowers

By Billie Owens

Press release:

This summer join the Genesee County Master Gardeners for our monthly garden series, “Garden Talk." Taught by Master Gardeners, programs will be held once month, during the “lunch hour” from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. Bring your lunch to the CCE office (420 E. Main St., Batavia) and join us to learn more about gardening.

This series is free and open to the public. Registration is not required.

On July 12 we’ll have a demonstration on how to propagate some of your perennials and annuals from cuttings. We’ll also give you some tips on rejuvenating your summer annual baskets. If you are looking for an easy and inexpensive way to create more plants for your garden, come to this program.

Aug. 2 will be a demonstration on using flowers from your garden to make beautiful arrangements. Learn the basics of flower arranging so you can do it yourself.

Sept. 6 will be a follow up to our May herb program. You have been growing herbs all summer, but what can you do with them now? We’ll give you some ideas of things you can use your herbs for.

Need a Garden Talk schedule? Contact Brandie at 585-343-3040, ext. 101. Future topics and other Master Gardener events will be posted on the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County website at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/ and also on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CCEofGenesee.

GC Master Gardeners free lunchtime monthly series 'Garden Talk' to begin June 7

By Billie Owens

Press release:

This summer join the Genesee County Master Gardeners for our monthly series, “Garden Talk."

Taught by Master Gardeners, the programs will be held once month, during the “lunch hour” from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. Bring your lunch to the CCE office (420 E. Main St, Batavia) and join us to learn more about gardening! This series is free and open to the public. Registration is not required.

The next program will be held June 7 with the topic, “Introduction to Beneficial Insects." Most of the insects that live in your garden or landscape are beneficial. They do little or no harm to you or your plants. Some of these good guys even provide free pest control for you. So who are these allies? Come find out at our June session.

On July 12 learn about propagating perennials from cuttings. If you are looking for an easy way to create more plants for your garden, we’ll offer you some tips during this program.

Join us on Aug. 2 for a demonstration on using flowers from your garden to make beautiful arrangements.

Need a Garden Talk schedule? Contact Brandie at 585-343-3040, ext. 101. Future topics and other Master Gardener events will be posted on the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County Web site at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/

Photos: Spring Gala for Master Gardeners

By Howard B. Owens

ccemastergardenersmay2016.jpg

Jane Grehlinger gives a talk on container gardening this afternoon at Cornell Cooperative Extension during the Genesee County Master Gardeners' Spring Gala.

The event included a plant sale and chance auction.

ccemastergardenersmay2016-2.jpg

ccemastergardenersmay2016-3.jpg

GC Master Gardeners to hold annual Spring Garden Gala on May 14

By Billie Owens

Genesee County Master Gardeners will be hosting their annual Spring Garden Gala from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 E. Main St. in Batavia.

There will be a plant sale featuring many kinds of perennials, house plants, geraniums and also a Basket Auction. Bring in a soil sample from your garden for free soil pH testing. Master Gardeners will be available to answer your gardening questions.

There will be a Container Garden Demonstration at 11 a.m. Find out how to create and take care of an herb container garden. Interested in helping out native bees? At 11:30 a.m., learn how to create a simple, easy to make bee house.

Don’t miss your chance to pick up some great plants (most grown by Master Gardeners), garden art and other interesting items for your garden. Plant sale starts promptly at 10 a.m. No early birds please. Basket Auction drawing starts at 12:30 p.m.

For more information contact Brandie Schultz at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, (585) 343-3040, ext. 101, stop by the Extension office at 420 E. Main St. in Batavia.

'What's Wrong with My Plant?' workshop on common garden diseases with master gardener, RSVP by April 25

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Join the Genesee County Master Gardeners from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27, for “What's Wrong with My Plant?,” a program on common garden diseases. 

Preregistration by April 25 is requested as class size is limited.

Master Gardener Sue Eick will walk you through the steps of how to recognize symptoms and signs of plant diseases commonly brought into our Master Gardener Helpline.

Some of the diseases she will cover include: late blight, downy mildew, powdery mildew, anthracnose, needle cast in evergreens and leaf spots. Eick will also talk about specific treatment strategies and what control measures are available to home gardeners. 

This class will be held at the Genesee County Cornell Cooperative Extension at 420 E. Main St., Batavia. Cost is $10 per person.

Contact Brandie at 585-343-3040, ext. 101, or stop by our office to register. Visit our Web site at: http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/events for more information.

Animal Crackers at Cornell Extension: 'Kids are Udderly Moomentous!'

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Cornell University Department of Animal Science is pleased to announce Animal Crackers 2016 "Animal Crackers: Kids are Udderly Moomentous!" on Saturday, May 7, at Cornell University. Registration deadline is April 29.

The upcoming program will incorporate both goat and dairy cattle topics for youth ages 9-12 or those with a beginners/intermediate knowledge of the species. All youth, 4-H and non-4-H, are invited to participate. Adult chaperones are also invited to attend to make Udderly Moomentous a family event!

Interesting, educational, hands-on activities are planned to make Animal Crackers a memorable teaching event. Participants will have the opportunity to learn goat or dairy care, biology, or management while having fun in two different learning tracts (goat or dairy cattle). There will also be sessions on making ice cream, animal demonstrations, and much, much more!

Cost of the program will be $15 per youth (adult chaperones are free!) and everyone is asked to bring their own lunch. Genesee County residents can register by contacting the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee Co. 585-343-3040, ext. 101 or e-mail genesee4h@cornell.edu no later than April 29. All groups must have at least one chaperone per species tract.

More information can be found on the Animal Crackers Web site: http://4h.ansci.cornell.edu/events-2/animal-crackers/topics/

Learn how to take great garden pictures, must RSVP for Cornell Ext. class by April 4

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Join the Genesee County Master Gardeners from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, for a program on “Better Garden Photography."

Have you ever visited and photographed a gorgeous garden, but were later disappointed with your photos? In this presentation, Master Gardener Brenda Fox will cover many subjects including the impact of light, and elements of composition such as balance, contrast, perspective and color. Brenda will also discuss some useful techniques such as the rule of thirds, framing, and the effect of lines.

All topics will be beautifully illustrated with photos of garden scenes. These practical tips will improve your photos in (and out!) of the garden.

This class will be held at the Genesee County Cornell Cooperative Extension at 420 E. Main St., Batavia. Cost is $10 per person. Pre-registration has been extended to April 4.

Contact Brandie at 585-343-3040, ext. 101, or stop by our office to register. Visit our Web site at: http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/events for more information. Like us on our Facebook page for program updates: https://www.facebook.com/CCEofGenesee

Youth apron sewing workshop at Cornell extension on two Wednesdays, deadline to register is April 13

By Billie Owens

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County’s 4-H Youth Development Program will offer a two-part apron sewing workshop at 7 p.m. on Wednesday April 20 and Wednesday April 27. This workshop is open to all area youth ages 8 -19 and youth do not need to be 4-H members to participate!

Participants will learn basic sewing skills such as reading a pattern, understanding cutting layouts, pattern pinning, sewing and pressing a straight seam, top stitching a pocket and more!  Cost is $10 per youth and all materials will be provided.

Class size is limited and preregistration is required by April 13. The workshops will be held at the Cornell Cooperative Extension building located at 420 E. Main St., Batavia.

For more information or to register, contact Brandie Schultz at the Genesee County 4-H Office, 585-343-3040, ext. 101. Visit our website at: http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/events for more information. 

NYS Dry Bean Growers Meeting to be held March 16 at Le Roy Country Club

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The 2016 NYS Dry Bean Growers Meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 16, at the Le Roy Country Club, 1 mile east of Le Roy on Route 5/East Main Road. Join us for production updates on Western bean cutworm, white mold, varieties and bean breeding, and soil health.

There will be a marketing update from Tim McGreevy, CEO, American Pulse Assoc., Moscow, ID, on: 2016 - International Year of Pulses: Why they are the Future of Food (dry beans/peas, lentils, chickpeas are pulses).

In addition, final results of Robin Bellinder’s reduced tillage dry bean weed control trials, and trials of potential new dry bean herbicides, will be reported. Food safety practices and documentation required by buyers will be covered. There will also be a report from the Dec. 1st Organic Dry Bean Discussion Group. The NYS Dry Bean Industry Committee will meet at 3:00 pm, and decisions on funding 2016 dry bean research will be made.

Lunch will include tasty, NYS dry bean dishes from the New York Coalition for Healthy School Food.  1.75 DEC credits (1a, 21, 23, 10) and CCA credits will be available. Preregister by March 10 to save $5!

Pre-registration: $20 for Cornell Vegetable Program enrollees receiving Veg Edge; $30 for all others. After March 10 cost is $5 more. Send a check made out to Cornell Vegetable Program – Dry Beans, to Cornell Cooperative Extension - CVP, 480 N. Main St., Canandaigua. NY 14424, Attn: Angela Parr.

Go to Events at: http://cvp.cce.cornell.edu/ for the agenda and a preregistration form. Sponsor opportunities are available from: Angela Parr at aep63@cornell.edu or 585-394-3977, ext. 426. Questions or special needs: Carol MacNeil at crm6@cornell.edu or 585-313-8796. In case of bad weather call 585-313-8796.

4-H Youth Development program to offer four Spring Break Workshops for ALL youths ages 5 to 19

By Billie Owens

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County 4-H Youth Development Program will be offering Spring Break Workshops open to all youth ages 5-19. Youth do not need to be 4-H members to participate! Come learn while having fun in the featured workshops:

Kids in the Kitchen! -- Monday, March 21, at 1 p.m. -- Come learn basic kitchen skills while making easy recipes that will have you a kitchen champion in no time! The cost is $5.00 per youth.

Livestock Skillathon -- Tuesday, March 22, at 10 a.m. -- Have fun exploring the breeds of beef, goat, sheep, swine, feedstuffs, equipment and more!  Free.

Knit an Infinity Scarf -- Wednesday, March 23, at 1 p.m. -- Boy, girl, left- or right-handed, come learn how to knit an infinity scarf! The cost is $5 per youth.

Ribbon-Woven Headband -- Thursday, March 24, 10:30 a.m. -- Learn how to make a ribbon-woven headband! This workshop is designed for youth ages 8 to 12. The cost is $5 per youth.

Class sizes are limited and pre-registration is required as all materials will be provided. The workshops will be held at the Cornell Cooperative Extension building located at 420 E. Main St., Batavia with payment taken at the door. For more information or to register, contact Brandie Schultz at the Genesee County 4-H Office, 585-343-3040, ext. 101.

National Safe Tractor & Machinery Operation Program offered for 4-H youths ages 14 and 15

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Currently, 4-H programming features the National Safe Tractor & Machinery Operation Program.  

This course will qualify enrolled 4-H youth ages 14 and 15 years of age to be certified to operate farm equipment for hire. The course is scheduled to run from January through March.

The training program encompasses 32 hours of intensive instruction. Upon the completion of the training, each student will be required to take a 50-question knowledge test with a minimum passing score of 70 percent. Students who successfully pass the knowledge test will be permitted to take the Skills and Driving tests. After passing both the written test and driving tests, the students will receive their formal certification from U.S. Department of Labor.

Parents say the program allows youth to operate equipment legally, be employable, and increases self-confidence, emergency preparedness skills, and knowledge.

Training youth in safer tractor operation is a high priority in Genesee County. Our young people living and working on farms operate a variety of agricultural equipment, including tractors.

Thank you to the tireless volunteers that lead this training, and to the youth that participate. For more information, contact us at 585-343-3040 or visit http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County is the outreach arm for Cornell University in Genesee County. We provide research based knowledge addressing unmet needs for the residents of Genesee County. We are also the home to 4-H, which is the largest out-of-school youth organization in the United States with more than 6 million youth members.

4-H Clubs, camps, after-school programs, and trips help youth reach their fullest potential.  Members have opportunities to connect to Cornell University, learn through hands-on activities, lead, be inspired, inspire others, and so much more. 4-H helps kids to do better in school, learn to help others, and feel more capable and responsible.

Authentically Local