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Some of the May programs offered by Cornell extension

By Billie Owens

Press Release:

The following events are planned for May at Cornell Cooperative Extension in Genesee County.

May 1 - Deadline for 4-H Giant Pumpkin Contest
The contest is open to any 4-H'er/4-H Family in Genesee County.  If you want to have fun, learn about horticulture, and challenge yourself, join 4-H'ers who will grow a giant or tiny pumpkin in spring/summer (125 days to grow) in home gardens or in container gardens all over the county. 

We will be using giant and small seeds. The Giant variety is "Dill's Atlantic Giant" or tiny pumpkin varieties includes "Baby Boo" or " Jack-Be-Little".  You can buy your own seeds or we can provide you with them. Educational materials will also be provided to each participant. Weigh-in will be in September (location to be determined).

Register by May 1st.  If you are interested in more information or to register, please contact Amy Berry at (585) 343-3040, ext. 106 or stop by the Extension office at 420 E. Main Street in Batavia.


May 2 or May 18 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Chainsaw Safety and Tree-Cutting Productivity Training – Level 1

Held at Cornell University's Arnot Forest, 611 County Road 13, Van Etten in Schuyler County. These are small-group (maximum 10) hands-on classes with a certified instructor that cover safe chainsaw use, chain and engine maintenance, and tree-felling (participants personally fell a tree under the instructor's guidance). 

No experience is required for Level I participants.  Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Cost is $152 per day (there's a discount for NYFOA members) and spaces are filled first-come, first served. 

Details, including on-line registration or mail-in registration, can be found at: http://www.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/forestconnect/GOL.html  Please direct questions to the Cornell Department of Natural Resources at 607-255-2115 or cce-nat-res@cornell.edu.


May 4 and May 11

ServSafe Food Manager Certification Class
CCE-Monroe County is offering the Level 1 nationally recognized ServSafe Food Manager Certification Course at the CCE-Monroe County Office at 249 Highland Ave. in Rochester on May 4 and 11. The 2 day course is from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on each of these days and the cost is $150 per person.

The registration form may be found on our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/monroe <http://www.cce.cornell.edu/monroe> . Questions may be directed to Jane Botelho at 585-461-1000 ext. 232.

May 13

Promoting Regional Assets for Community and Economic Development 
Regional assets help build sustainable regional revitalization efforts. They include: the skills of the workforce; the vitality of community organizations; the resources of public, private and non-profit institutions; and the physical and economic resources of local places.

The conference will explore how different assets in the region assist and support one another. Also to be explored is the relationship between capacity building and the promotion and development of assets. This one-day conference will be held at the Radisson Hotel in Corning from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Agenda and registration information can be found on the CaRDI website at www.cardi.cornell.edu <http://www.cardi.cornell.edu/> .
May 14 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Coffee & Dessert Series - Invasive Species
This program will take place at Cornell Cooperative Extension -- Genesee County. Cost is $10. Pre-registration is required. Judy Spring, environmental educator from Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District, will talk about invasive species.

New York faces an onslaught of invasive species from other regions and countries.  These non-native plants, animals, and pathogens displace native species, disrupt ecosystems and recreational activities such as fishing, boating and hiking. They also damage commercial agricultural and aqua-cultural resources. For a brochure or more information, please contact Gail at (585) 343-3040, ext. 132 or via e-mail at gac11@cornell.edu.

May 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Garden Gala
The Gala will take place at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County. No early birds. There will be an indoor and outdoor plant sale, chance auction, gardening activities for youth, door prizes, free handouts and soil testing, gardening advice, and free refreshments. If interested or need more information, please contact Gail Culver at (585) 343-3040, ext. 132 or Amy Berry at (585) 343-3040, ext. 106.

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