Spring Gardening Day is April 6, 2019! Saturday, April 6, 2019 8:30 am - 2:30 pm Columbia-Greene Community College (Student Center (cafeteria) 4400 Rt 23 Hudson, NY 12534) Registration is now open for Spring Gardening Day. The annual event sponsored by the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2019. This year's Spring Gardening Day will include keynote speaker, Margaret Roach. Margaret was a garden editor for Martha Stewart Living and EVP/Editorial Director of Martha's company, and spent a decade each at Newsday and the New York Times. She now creates the nationally acclaimed website www.awaytogarden.com and hosts the award-winning companion public radio show and podcast.The day will also include three break-out sessions on a a variety of gardening topics including: Designing Your Front Yard, Herb Gardening, Vegetable Gardening, Deerproofing Your Yard and much more, presented by local experts and master gardeners. New this year will be a Garden Marketplace, featuring a variety of local gardening vendors. Please check out the class descriptions and speaker biographies. Please see the registration form which contains detailed information about the event. Space is limited, so register now to secure your place. To register online, go to https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/2019GardeningEvent_210. For additional questions, please contact Emily at 518-828-3346 x209 or ew387@cornell.edu. Fee of $35 is all-inclusive for one, two or all three sessions including the keynote speaker. If received prior to March 8, 2019, the fee is $30 The fee for walk-ins is $40 if space available. Emily Warrington, ew387@cornell.edu, (518) 828-3346 ext. 209 ========================================= Taste NY Market Event (Tonics) Friday, April 12, 2019 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Capital Region Welcome Center (NYS Thruway Between Exits 21B and 21A Northbound on I-87 New Baltimore, NY 12124) Capital Region Welcome Center located on the NYS Thruway, New Baltimore, NY The Taste NY Market showcases locally grown and sourced products from across the Capital Region and the state!Friday, April 12 – Yesfolk TonicKambucha tastings from 1:00-5:00 p.m. Shaylyn Decker, sid23@cornell.edu, 518-756-8420 ========================================= Taste NY Market Event (nuts) Saturday, April 13, 2019 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm Capital Region Welcome Center (NYS Thruway Between Exits 21B and 21A Northbound on I-87 New Baltimore, NY 12124) Capital Region Welcome Center located on the NYS Thruway, New Baltimore, NY The Taste NY Market showcases locally grown and sourced products from across the Capital Region and the state!Saturday, April 13 – Papa’s Best BatchSmoked Pistachios & Almonds tastings (watch for times) Shaylyn Decker, sid23@cornell.edu, 518-756-8420 ========================================= Getting Started with Poultry Thursday, April 18, 2019 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Agroforestry Resource Center (6055 Route 23 Acra, New York 12405) Are you interested in raising chickens, turkey, ducks, or other species of poultry?  Join us to learn more about the basics to help you get started.   Topics will include where to get your birds, species and breeds, animal care and handling, health, and products from your birds.  To take advantage of the early registration price of $10, please register by April 16.Presenter: Ashley Pierce, Capital Area Agriculture & Horticulture ProgramRegistration deadline: April 16Register online at https://tinyurl.com/GettingStartedWithPoultry or call Tove Ford at (518) 765-3518 $10 per person ($15 per person at the door) ========================================= 4-H Tractor Safety Program (FULL) Monday, April 22, 2019 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Washington County Fairgrounds (392 Old Schuylerville Road Greenwich, New York 12834) Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties 4-H would like to welcome all area youth (4-H and non 4-H) who are 14 years old and older to participate in the 2019 Capital District 4-H/HOSTA Tractor Safety Program at the Washington County Fairgrounds. This program is a great opportunity for youth who currently work on farms or around machinery, those who will be seeking employment on a farm, or anyone who would just like to learn more about farm and machinery safety. There is a mandatory meeting for parents and teens on Monday, March 25 at 5:30 PM at the Extension Education Center in Hudson.  For more information, contact Maggie at (518) 828-3346 x211.Open to all youth ages 14 and above. Register by March 15 online at https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/2019Tractor_210 or mail or drop off a check (made payable to CCE) or cash to the Extension Education Center, 479 Rt 66 Hudson NY 12534. $30 for 4-H members, $35 for non 4-H members Emily Warrington, ew387@cornell.edu, (518) 828-3346 ext. 209 ========================================= Anger Management (12-week course) Thursday, April 25, 2019 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Extension Education Center (479 Route 66 Hudson, New York 12534) This is a 12-week anger management course being taught by a Certified Anger Management Specialist-1. The course utilizes the evidenced-based and nationally recognized What’s Good About Anger? curriculum. Participants will receive a copy of the What’s Good About Anger? Fourth Edition and a certificate of completion will be awarded after completion of 12 weeks (participants who enroll after the first class will be asked to return for the start of the next class cycle but will not be asked to pay an additional fee). For further information, please contact Rebecca Polmateer 518-622-9820 X117. Dates: Thursdays beginning April 25 and ending July 25 (12 week course)Registration deadline: June 6 (registrations accepted until 6 weeks into course series)Registration: online at: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/angermgt2_210 or by calling 518-622-9820 X 100Presented by: Rebecca Polmateer, Subject Educator, MS, CAMS-I $50.00 per person Eileen Simpson, es693@cornell.edu, (518) 622-9820 ext. 100 ========================================= Growing Forest Fungi and other Mushroom Cultivation Options Saturday, April 27, 2019 10:00 am - 12:30 pm Agroforestry Resource Center (6055 Route 23 Acra, New York 12405) Are you interested in exploring how to grow your own mushrooms or perhaps start a small scale mushroom operation?  Participants in this workshop will learn various techniques for growing different species of mushrooms using a variety of materials. You will also participate in a hands-on experience inoculating bolts of wood with shiitake spawn and bring home your own inoculated log for personal enjoyment. In addition, there will be an opportunity to examine where we harvested small pole-size trees used for inoculating the shiitake mushrooms, and understand the rationale for harvesting those particular trees as part of forest improvement. If you are interested in learning how to grow a variety of mushrooms, you won’t want to miss this program. Bob Beyfuss has been instructing those interested in mushroom cultivation throughout the state for over a decade. This is a very popular program, so please register early as class size is limited!Registration deadline: April 22Register online: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/GrowFungi2019_210 or call 518-622-9820 x 100Presenter: Bob Beyfuss, Retired Extension Educator $20.00 per person Eileen Simpson, es693@cornell.edu, (518) 622-9820 ext. 100 ========================================= Spring Clean Your Home and Finances Monday, April 29, 2019 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Nassau Free Library (18 Church Street Nassau, NY 12123) In addition to cleaning out winter’s dirt and grime, it’s time to put your financial house in order!  The good news is that is doesn’t need to take all day or weekend to spruce things up. There’s plenty you can do in five, 15 and 30 minute increments that can help you tidy up your finances in a jiffy!  Items to be targeted include what’s physically in your home (think file cabinets or piles of paper), what’s on your computer and what’s in your wallet. A home spring cleaning checklist will also be shared. Registration Deadline:   April 27Register online: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/CleanHomeFinances_210 or call the library at 518-766-2715Presenter: Theresa Mayhew, CCE Resource Educator Free Emily Warrington, ew387@cornell.edu, (518) 828-3346 ext. 209 ========================================= Riverkeeper Sweep Saturday, May 4, 2019 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Bayard Elsbree Memorial Park (3154 Route 145 Preston Hollow, NY 12469) The Agroforestry Resource Center of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties will lead volunteers in the 2019 Riverkeeper Sweep community service event. Volunteers are needed at the Bayard Elsbree Memorial Park in Preston Hollow to help with maintenance of trees and shrubs that were planted in 2015 to help buffer the Catskill Creek as part of the Hudson River Estuary’s Trees for Tribs (tributaries) program. The park is located on the west side of NYS Route 145 just north of the intersection of Route 145 and Cheese Hill Road. Volunteers should meet in the park by the creek side, and are asked to wear sturdy shoes or boots, clothing that can get dirty, and should bring a hat, sunscreen, reusable water bottle and snacks. This site is suitable for elementary-aged children with proper adult supervision. Participants will hear an update from Audrey Kropp about the watershed protection efforts for the Catskill Creek Watershed. Fran Martino will lead a discussion on how the presence of aquatic macro invertebrates (water bugs that you can see with the naked eye) can serve as indicators of polluted or clean water quality. Registration deadline: May 1Registration: online at: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/RiverkeeperSweep_210 or by calling 518-622-9820Presented by: Audrey Kropp, Extension Educator and Fran Martino, Greater Stockport Creek Watershed Coordinator Free Audrey Kropp, ak963@cornell.edu, (518) 622-9820 ext. 102 ========================================= Spring Foraging Sunday, May 5, 2019 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Extension Education Center (479 Route 66 Hudson, New York 12534) Come explore the grounds at the Extension Education Center and learn about the value of woodlands and fields in a new way. Presenters Tusha Yakovleva and Tracey Testo will be your guides to discovering wild edibles in your surroundings. Participants will learn what is available on a seasonal basis as well as how to collect food without disturbing or endangering a plant population. Recommendations will also be given on how to safely collect food with the help of local resources and experts. Following the walk, we will move inside where you will learn how to incorporate these wild foods into a meal. Locally foraged goods will be made available for samples and snacking during a Q & A to wrap up this fabulous day. Foraging is a great way to get to know your land as a resource for local foods. It can be a wonderful family activity and comes with a greater understanding of our interactions with the natural world.Registration deadline: May 2Register online: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/SpringForage2019_210 or call 518-622-9820 x 100Presenters: Tusha Yakovleva, Found Wild Foraging; Tracey Testo, CCE Program Coordinator $20.00 per person Eileen Simpson, es693@cornell.edu, (518) 622-9820 ext. 100 ========================================= Holiday-Office Closed Monday, May 27, 2019 8:30 am - 4:30 pm ========================================= Family-Friendly Ag. Day Saturday, June 1, 2019 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Columbia-Greene Community College (Main Campus 4400 Route 23 Hudson, NY 12534) This is a family-oriented festival, taking place rain or shine, offering hands-on activities and new experiences for all ages. It is a free public event hosted by Columbia-Greene Community College and is a 4-H 90th Anniversary Event.Ag Day provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture. It is a time for individuals and families to learn more about their neighbors – the farms and farmers who are providing a large economic and tourism base for our counties. And, this year we are also recognizing the 90th anniversary of the beginning of the 4-H program in Columbia and Greene Counties. 4-H clubs from all corners of our twin counties will be there with their project animals – dairy calves, sheep, goats, rabbits, poultry and even piglets! The 4-H members will be happy to share all they know about raising their favorite animal species. Other 4-H clubs will have exhibits and hands-on activities for kids to participate in.Cooperative Extension educators are bringing an array of agriculture-related booths. Learn about worm composting, soil composition, creating healthy snacks from local produce, making smoothies to extend the life of some of that produce, and what it takes to grow shiitake mushrooms. Bring your questions for the Master Gardener Answer Booth and learn from our regional ag team the impact agriculture has in this area.Columbia-Greene Community College will share information about admissions and their current agricultural offerings, both in accredited courses and public outreach. Their Conservation Club and Animal Advocacy Club will be there, as well. Refreshments will be offered by the college’s Athletic Department.Community partners and vendors will provide items to purchase that are locally grown and/or made. Some of the things you will be able to taste and purchase include items made from alpaca fiber, savory sauces and mustards, granola and nut crunches, and honey!Our stage will be busy all day long, beginning with a ribbon-cutting at 10:30, followed by our state legislator/4-H teen smoothie challenge and then a 4-H Fashion Show and 4-H Public Presentation Showcase. Throughout the day Nancy Carey Johnson, singer/songwriter from Vermont but previously from Millerton, NY and a past local 4-H volunteer, will share her music. Her style ranges from Folky/Country/Blues to Folk-Rock.We look forward to a great day celebrating our local agricultural heritage and the impact 4-H has had over the past 90 years. Please join us. For more information contact Dr. Joseph Watson at 518-828-4181x3364/ watson@sunycgcc.edu OR Linda Tripp at 518-318-1193/ Lke2@cornell.edu. Free Linda Tripp, lke2@cornell.edu, (518) 828-3346 ext. 210 ========================================= Nutritious, Local and Seasonable Meal Preparation Friday, June 21, 2019 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Agroforestry Resource Center (6055 Route 23 Acra, New York 12405) Kick off summer by learning to prepare a nutritious and delicious meal utilizing local, in-season produce. The evening begins with a discussion of what makes a food nutritious, followed by the preparation of a two-course meal. It wraps up with participants enjoying the meal they just helped prepare. This is a hands-on workshop so participants should be prepared to help with the food preparation. In addition to the meal, each participant will receive a booklet of recipes to take home. For more information, or to provide information about any dietary restrictions, please contact Rebecca Polmateer at 518-622-9820 X117. Please register early, as there is only space for the first 20 registered participants.Registration deadline: June 18Registration: online: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/NLSMealPrep_210 or by calling 518-622-9820 X100Presented by: Rebecca Polmateer, Extension Educator Free thanks to a grant from the Greene County Rural Health Network Eileen Simpson, es693@cornell.edu, (518) 622-9820 ext. 100 ========================================= Holiday-Office Closed Thursday, July 4, 2019 12:00 pm - 12:00 pm ========================================= Holiday-Office Closed Monday, September 2, 2019 8:30 am - 4:30 pm ========================================= Holiday-Office Closed Monday, October 14, 2019 8:30 am - 4:30 pm ========================================= Holiday-Office Closed Monday, November 11, 2019 8:30 am - 4:30 pm ========================================= Holiday-Office Closed Thursday, November 28, 2019 8:30 am - 4:30 pm ========================================= Holiday-Office Closed Friday, November 29, 2019 8:30 am - 4:30 pm ========================================= Holiday-Office Closing at Noon Tuesday, December 24, 2019 8:30 am - 4:30 pm ========================================= Holiday-Office Closed Wednesday, December 25, 2019 12:00 pm - 12:00 pm The office will be closed for the Christmas holiday. =========================================