September 28 at 6pm – Fall Harvest Coffee and Dessert Series - Putting Your Garden to Bed. Your gardening tasks do not end with that killing frost. There are many things you can do in your garden to assure gardening success next spring. Let Maud Charpin, a certified Master Gardener, share her knowledge and tips with you while enjoying homemade dessert and coffee.

Genesee County Farm Bureau will award a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating high school senior this year. The award will go to a Farm Bureau member’s son or daughter. The award decision will be based on scholastic achievement, extracurricular activities, an essay and interest in agriculture. Students who are continuing their education beyond high school into a technical, 2-year or 4-year program are eligible. The award will be given in two segments: half at the beginning of the first semester and the second half at the successful completion of the first semester. The student will need a GPA of 2.0 or higher to receive the award.

Genesee County Farm Bureau will award a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating high school senior this year. The award will go to a Farm Bureau member’s son or daughter. The award decision will be based on scholastic achievement, extracurricular activities, an essay and interest in agriculture. Students who are continuing their education beyond high school into a technical, 2-year or 4-year program are eligible. The award will be given in two segments: half at the beginning of the first semester and the second half at the successful completion of the first semester. The student will need a GPA of 2.0 or higher to receive the award.

It’s that time of year again. As the days grow warmer and the nights stay cold, the sap starts to flow.  Did you know that New York State is the third largest producer of maple syrup in the world? Maple producers are celebrating that fact at this year’s 14th Annual Maple Weekend™. This year the event takes place on March 21-22 and 28-29 from 10am - 4pm each day. Maple producers throughout New York State will open their sugarhouses to demonstrate the making of maple products "from the tree to your table." Almost 50 maple producers throughout

Western New York will participate. You can check this website for a list of participants: http://www.mapleweekend.com/locations.htm.

This free, family-oriented event gives you a chance to see how New York maple producers make some of the world's finest maple syrup and maple products. Visitors can see all aspects of maple making, from tapping the trees to get the sap, to boiling sap into maple syrup. Some producers will also demonstrate the making of maple syrup into other products including maple cream, maple cotton candy and maple sugar.

The public is encouraged to visit more than one farm as some producers use traditional methods while some employ new methods. Many of the farms will also have a variety of other activities including horse and wagon rides, snowshoeing, guided walks in the woods and kids' corners.

Mark your calendars for March 21-22 and 28-29, 2009 and take the family out to experience New York State maple!

Members of the Cornell Vegetable Team will be the presenters. Topics to be covered include pest management, controlling mildew & blight, organic vegetable production, intro to high tunnel production, weed management, marketing strategies and food safety. 4.75 DEC credits in category 23 will be available! This meeting is geared towards smaller-scale vegetable growers. All growers and spray applicators are welcome. To register contact Kim Amey at 585-343-3040 ext 112 by March 12. $30 for enrollees of the Cornell Cooperative Extension Vegetable Program. $40 if not enrolled. Hot buffet lunch included.

 Effective January 1, 2009, the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law states - "Farm machinery … designed to operate at 25 mph or less whether self-propelled or used in combination, shall each separately display a slow-moving-vehicle emblem." The law prior to 1/1/09 requires an SMV emblem on either the tractor or the vehicle being towed, but not both. The intent of the new law is to improve visibility of farm equipment operated on public highways. The towed vehicle can block the SMV emblem on back of the tractor.

New to Farming in New York?  Take the Beginning Farmer On-line Course.

Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Vegetable Program will present the 2009 Annual Fresh Market Produce Winter Educational Meeting.  The meeting will be held at the Niagara County Cornell Cooperative Extension Center in Lockport (4487 Lake Ave. Lockport, NY 14094) on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. The program runs from 9am - 3pm with walk-in registration starting at 8:30am.  DEC credits will be available.  The cost is $25 for CCE enrollees and $35 for non-enrollees if you pre-register by 1/12/09.  At the door registration is $30 for enrollees and $40 for non-enrollees.  To register call 716-433-8839 ext. 221.  For more information call Robert Hadad 585-739-4065.