May Gardening's Guide: Smart Start for NY Gardens Friday, May 23, 2025 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Online Event Are you ready to get your garden growing this spring? Join us for a free online class designed for gardeners in Allegany County, NY, and surrounding areas. In this class you'll learn: What to plant and transplant in May (cool vs. warm-season crops)Local frost dates and how to use them.Best practices for soil preparation, transplanting, and sowingRegional gardening tips and pitfalls to avoidWhether you’re new to gardening or want to fine-tune your timing, this class has you covered!Presented by Cristian Acosta, Agriculture Educator Cornell Cooperative Extension Allegany County.Date: Friday, May 23rd, 2025.Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pmLocation: Online, via Zoom.Fee: FREERegistration: Click HERE to register.See you in class! Cristian Acosta, cfa34@cornell.edu, 585-268-7644 ext 14 ========================================= Herbs and Pollinators at the Cuba Library Tuesday, May 27, 2025 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Cuba Library, 39 E Main St , Cuba, NY 14727 Join Us for Two Hands-On Garden Workshops at the Cuba Library! Ready to get your hands dirty and help your garden (and the planet) thrive?We’re hosting two exciting, in-person workshops that will teach you practical skills to grow herbs at home and protect local pollinators. Free to attend, and you’ll go home with something you made yourself!Workshop #1: Creating an Herb GardenDate: Tuesday, May 27, 2025Time: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pmLearn the basics of growing herbs at home, indoors or outdoors, and plant your own herbs to take home!Workshop #2: Protecting PollinatorsDate: Tuesday, June 3, 2025.Time: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pmDiscover how you can support pollinators in your own backyard! Our Master Gardeners will share tips on mowing, wildflowers, and native plants. Then, you’ll build a bee hotel using recycled materials to bring home.Location for both events:Cuba Library: 39 E Main St, Cuba, NY 14727Join us and let’s grow something great together! Cristian Acosta, cfa34@cornell.edu, 585-268-7644 ext 14 ========================================= Orchid Lovers Workshop Saturday, May 31, 2025 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 5435A County Road 48 , Belmont, NY 14813 A Hands-On Class for Orchid Lovers in Allegany County!Have an orchid that won’t bloom or struggles to thrive? Or want to learn how to care for these beautiful plants correctly? Join us for a fun, hands-on 2-hour workshop where you’ll learn how to grow healthy, thriving orchids indoors!In this workshop, you'll learn:How to choose the right orchidHow to give orchids the perfect environment at homeRepotting demo & practiceWatering and fertilizing for year-round bloomsPest & disease preventionTips for reblooming successDate: Saturday, May 31st, 2025.Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pmLocation: CCE Belmont Office. 5435A County Road 48, Belmont, NY 14813Fee: $25 per person — includes your own orchid and materials for the workshop. (Take Home Your Own Replanted Orchid!)Registration: Download your registration form by clicking HERE . Spots are limited — reserve yours today and get ready to make your orchids bloom! Cristian Acosta, cfa34@cornell.edu, 585-268-7644 ext 14 ========================================= Herbs and Pollinators at the Cuba Library Tuesday, June 3, 2025 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Cuba Library, 39 E Main St , Cuba, NY 14727 Join Us for Two Hands-On Garden Workshops at the Cuba Library! Ready to get your hands dirty and help your garden (and the planet) thrive?We’re hosting two exciting, in-person workshops that will teach you practical skills to grow herbs at home and protect local pollinators. Free to attend, and you’ll go home with something you made yourself!Workshop #1: Creating an Herb GardenDate: Tuesday, May 27, 2025Time: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pmLearn the basics of growing herbs at home, indoors or outdoors, and plant your own herbs to take home!Workshop #2: Protecting PollinatorsDate: Tuesday, June 3, 2025.Time: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pmDiscover how you can support pollinators in your own backyard! Our Master Gardeners will share tips on mowing, wildflowers, and native plants. Then, you’ll build a bee hotel using recycled materials to bring home.Location for both events:Cuba Library: 39 E Main St, Cuba, NY 14727Join us and let’s grow something great together! Cristian Acosta, cfa34@cornell.edu, 585-268-7644 ext 14 ========================================= Board of Directors' Meeting Tuesday, June 10, 2025 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm CCE Allegany County , 5435 County Rd. 48 , Belmont, NY 14813 na Laura Hunsberger, lkh47@cornell.edu, 585-268-7644 ext 17 ========================================= Chainsaw Safety and Forestry BMP’s Friday, June 13, 2025 9:30 am - 3:00 pm CCE Allegany County , 5435 County Rd. 48 , Belmont, NY 14813 Registration & Welcome will begin at 9:30 AM at CCE Allegany.  Agenda: 10:00 -11:30 Chain Saw Safety - Martin Krause, Agricultural Safety Specialist with the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health, will be teaching the chainsaw safety session. Perfect for beginners or experienced users needing a refresher. We’ll cover safety features and basic maintenance of the modern saw and learn kickback prevention techniques. Participants will be able to try on various PPE and learn ergonomic practices. Interested participants will learn to safely start up, throttle up, and turn off a saw. You may bring our own saw if you choose, there will be no cutting in this class.11:30 -12:00 Intro to NYS Forestry Best Management Practices for Water Quality - Emily Johnston, SWCD District Technicians. This session will cover background of what Best Management Practices are and why they are important to protect soil and water resources from erosion and pollution before, during, and after a timber harvestNoon.Lunch will be provided at noon, followed by a 1:00 PM session in the County Forest. The session, Curtis Shaffer, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Emily Johnston will introduce best management practices, their importance for protecting soil and water resources, and implementation on forest roads and trails. Please dress prepared to be hiking in the woods on uneven terrain, walk will be held rain or shine.We invite you to join us for the whole day or part of the day. Space is limited for this event.There is no fee, however preregistration is requested by June 6th to assist with planning materials for the workshop. Register online at: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/Safety_BMPs_Allegany_County_202.  This Workshop is sponsored by:Allegany County Soil & Water Conservation DistrictCornell Cooperative Extension Allegany CountyFinder Lakes Lake Ontario Watershed Protection AllianceNational Wild Turkey FederationNatural Resources Conservation Service Lynn Bliven, lao3@cornell.edu, 585-268-7644 ext 18 ========================================= Internal Parasites in Small Ruminants IPM/FAMACHA© Workshop Saturday, June 14, 2025 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Alfred State College Farm , 1254 State Route 244 , Alfred, NY 14802 Offered by:CCE of Allegany County & SWNY Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops TeamWho is this for?Sheep and goat producersThose interested in sustainable internal parasite control and management strategiesWhat will you learn at Saturday’s session?Know your parasites Know your tools - management practices, prescribed grazing, animal selection Understanding targeted deworming strategiesHands-on FAMACHA scoring and 5-point checks (health exam)Students who pass the exam will become certified and receive a FAMACHA cardWhat will you learn at the Tuesday evening session?Hands-on training for performing fecal egg counts. Understanding the use of a fecal egg count reduction testPreparing slides and identifying parasites under microscope. You are welcome to bring a refrigerated fecal sample of 8 to 10 fecal pellets from your farm to the workshop.Space is limited - preregistration is required!Instruction led by: Amy Barkley, Livestock Specialist, Southwest NY Dairy, Livestock & Field Crop Team; Jessica Waltemyer, NYS Small Ruminant Extension Specialist, Cornell PRO-Livestock; and Lynn Bliven, CCE Allegany County Ag & Natural Resources Issue Leader. There is no fee to attend. This material is based on work supported by USDA/NIFA under award number 2024-70027-42540. You may sign up for 1 or both sessions, however you must attend full session on Saturday to receive FAMACHA© card and certification.Contact: Lynn Bliven 585-268-7644 ext. 18 or email lao3@cornell.eduPre-registration is required by June 6, 2025. Register online for Saturday’s FAMACHA class here: https://tinyurl.com/FAMACHAatAlfredRegister online for Tuesday’s FEC mobile workshop here: https://tinyurl.com/FECatAlfredIn the interest of biosecurity, please wear clean clothes and shoes to the workshop and plan to change them prior to doing your own farm chores. Lynn Bliven, lao3@cornell.edu, 585-268-7644 ext 18 ========================================= Internal Parasites in Small Ruminants IPM/FAMACHA© Workshop Tuesday, June 17, 2025 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm Alfred State College Farm , 1254 State Route 244 , Alfred, NY 14802 Offered by:CCE of Allegany County & SWNY Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops TeamWho is this for?Sheep and goat producersThose interested in sustainable internal parasite control and management strategiesWhat will you learn at Saturday’s session?Know your parasites Know your tools - management practices, prescribed grazing, animal selection Understanding targeted deworming strategiesHands-on FAMACHA scoring and 5-point checks (health exam)Students who pass the exam will become certified and receive a FAMACHA cardWhat will you learn at the Tuesday evening session?Hands-on training for performing fecal egg counts. Understanding the use of a fecal egg count reduction testPreparing slides and identifying parasites under microscope. You are welcome to bring a refrigerated fecal sample of 8 to 10 fecal pellets from your farm to the workshop.Space is limited - preregistration is required!Instruction led by: Amy Barkley, Livestock Specialist, Southwest NY Dairy, Livestock & Field Crop Team; Jessica Waltemyer, NYS Small Ruminant Extension Specialist, Cornell PRO-Livestock; and Lynn Bliven, CCE Allegany County Ag & Natural Resources Issue Leader. There is no fee to attend. This material is based on work supported by USDA/NIFA under award number 2024-70027-42540. You may sign up for 1 or both sessions, however you must attend full session on Saturday to receive FAMACHA© card and certification.Contact: Lynn Bliven 585-268-7644 ext. 18 or email lao3@cornell.eduPre-registration is required by June 6, 2025. Register online for Saturday’s FAMACHA class here: https://tinyurl.com/FAMACHAatAlfredRegister online for Tuesday’s FEC mobile workshop here: https://tinyurl.com/FECatAlfredIn the interest of biosecurity, please wear clean clothes and shoes to the workshop and plan to change them prior to doing your own farm chores. Lynn Bliven, lao3@cornell.edu, 585-268-7644 ext 18 ========================================= Youth Tractor & Machinery Certification Program Thursday, June 19, 2025 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Cuba-Rushford HS , 5476 Route 305 , Cuba, NY 14727 The 4-H and FFA Tractor & Machinery Certification Program will be offered at the Cuba-Rushford HS (5476 Rt. 305, Cuba, NY 14727) on June 19th, 26th and 27th from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.Youth must attend all 3 sessions plus pass written and driving test to receive certification.State Law requires that 14 - 16-year-olds be certified before operating farm tractors and machinery. CCE Allegany County and the Vo-Ag Instructors are once again cooperating to provide this training. Registration and Authorization of Consent Forms are available here to download or printed copy can be mailed from the from the 4-H office in Belmont by calling 585-268-7644 Ext. 18 or e-mailing Lynn Bliven.In addition, the following Vocational Agriculture Instructors can provide forms: Carly Santangelo – Cuba-Rushford, Sara Haggerty – Fillmore, and Carolyn Wright – Genesee Valley.The forms and registration fee are due in the 4-H office by May 30, 2025 or can be handed in to your Ag Teachers. Fee for training is $20, you may borrow manual for the duration of training or purchase manual for an addition $20.4-H and FFA youth that pass the course are eligible to enter the Tractor Operators’ Contest at the Allegany County Fair on Saturday, July 12th from 2:00-4:00 PM. Lynn Bliven, lao3@cornell.edu, 585-268-7644 ext 18 ========================================= Youth Tractor & Machinery Certification Program Thursday, June 26, 2025 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Cuba-Rushford HS , 5476 Route 305 , Cuba, NY 14727 The 4-H and FFA Tractor & Machinery Certification Program will be offered at the Cuba-Rushford HS (5476 Rt. 305, Cuba, NY 14727) on June 19th, 26th and 27th from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.Youth must attend all 3 sessions plus pass written and driving test to receive certification.State Law requires that 14 - 16-year-olds be certified before operating farm tractors and machinery. CCE Allegany County and the Vo-Ag Instructors are once again cooperating to provide this training. Registration and Authorization of Consent Forms are available here to download or printed copy can be mailed from the from the 4-H office in Belmont by calling 585-268-7644 Ext. 18 or e-mailing Lynn Bliven.In addition, the following Vocational Agriculture Instructors can provide forms: Carly Santangelo – Cuba-Rushford, Sara Haggerty – Fillmore, and Carolyn Wright – Genesee Valley.The forms and registration fee are due in the 4-H office by May 30, 2025 or can be handed in to your Ag Teachers. Fee for training is $20, you may borrow manual for the duration of training or purchase manual for an addition $20.4-H and FFA youth that pass the course are eligible to enter the Tractor Operators’ Contest at the Allegany County Fair on Saturday, July 12th from 2:00-4:00 PM. Lynn Bliven, lao3@cornell.edu, 585-268-7644 ext 18 ========================================= Youth Tractor & Machinery Certification Program Friday, June 27, 2025 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Cuba-Rushford HS , 5476 Route 305 , Cuba, NY 14727 The 4-H and FFA Tractor & Machinery Certification Program will be offered at the Cuba-Rushford HS (5476 Rt. 305, Cuba, NY 14727) on June 19th, 26th and 27th from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.Youth must attend all 3 sessions plus pass written and driving test to receive certification.State Law requires that 14 - 16-year-olds be certified before operating farm tractors and machinery. CCE Allegany County and the Vo-Ag Instructors are once again cooperating to provide this training. Registration and Authorization of Consent Forms are available here to download or printed copy can be mailed from the from the 4-H office in Belmont by calling 585-268-7644 Ext. 18 or e-mailing Lynn Bliven.In addition, the following Vocational Agriculture Instructors can provide forms: Carly Santangelo – Cuba-Rushford, Sara Haggerty – Fillmore, and Carolyn Wright – Genesee Valley.The forms and registration fee are due in the 4-H office by May 30, 2025 or can be handed in to your Ag Teachers. Fee for training is $20, you may borrow manual for the duration of training or purchase manual for an addition $20.4-H and FFA youth that pass the course are eligible to enter the Tractor Operators’ Contest at the Allegany County Fair on Saturday, July 12th from 2:00-4:00 PM. Lynn Bliven, lao3@cornell.edu, 585-268-7644 ext 18 ========================================= Board of Directors' Meeting Tuesday, September 16, 2025 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm CCE Allegany County , 5435 County Rd. 48 , Belmont, NY 14813 na Laura Hunsberger, lkh47@cornell.edu, 585-268-7644 ext 17 ========================================= Silvopasture on a Shoestring Tuesday, October 7, 2025 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Wild Geese Farm, 8499 Agett Rd , Franklinville, NY 14737 The full day training will include classroom and hands-on sessions. The focus will be on DIY silvopasture projects on small grazing farms. We will address the practical considerations of tree establishment and protection as well as tree maintenance and grazing. The workshop is from 9am - 3pm and includes morning refreshments and lunch. Topics:layout and design considerationstree species for silvopasturetree planting basicstree protection methodsthe importance of aftercaregrazing considerations old orchard silvopasturetick concerns with silvopasture establishmentCost $25/person. Held rain or shine. Preregistration requested by September 30th, click here to register inline. Lynn Bliven, lao3@cornell.edu, 585-268-7644 ext 18 =========================================