The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County Board of Directors meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on March 26. The meeting will be held at the association at 420 E. Main St. Batavia and is open to the public.

For more information, please contact Yvonne Peck at ydp3@cornell.edu or 585-343-3040 x123.

by Margaret Quaassdorff, Dairy Management Specialist with the NWNY Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program

Are you a dairy producer interested in on-farm dairy processing? Looking to diversify your operation with direct-to-consumer sales? Interested in value-added production? Well, hop on the bus – we’re headed East!

On March 13 and 14, Katelyn Walley and Margaret Quaassdorff from Cornell Cooperative Extension will be hosting a tour of value-added dairy processing facilities in Eastern New York. 

The tour will include at least 6 stops and will depart from CCE-Genesee in Batavia on Wednesday, March 13 at 8:30 a.m. We will overnight in Cobleskill, and the tour will conclude on Thursday, March 14 at 9 p.m.

The cost to register is $100 and can be done online by visiting tinyurl.com/CCEDairyTour. 

Final stop locations, times, accommodation information, and additional details will be shared directly with the participants after registering (or by request). 

Registration is due by Feb. 26.  Inquire beyond that date if there are spaces still available.

Tour stops (subject to change) include: 

• Trinity Valley Dairy (Cortland)
• Byebrook Farm (Bloomville)
• Don’s Dairy Supply (South Kortright)
• SUNY Cobleskill’s Dairy Processing Center (Cobleskill)
• King Brother’s Dairy (Schuylerville)
• Argyle Cheese (Hudson Falls)

There will be ample time at each tour location to hear about the farm business history and goals, identify challenges and opportunities of value-added production, ask questions, and browse their farm stands and stores. Following the tour, we will provide an opportunity for participants to come back together for discussion groups and educational opportunities.

If you are interested in attending, or need accommodations, and would like additional information, please contact Margaret Quaassdorff at 585-405-2567 or maq27@cornell.edu  or Katelyn Walley at 716-640-522 or kaw249@cornell.edu.

Join the Genesee County Master Gardeners for their monthly Garden Talk programs starting Feb. 1, at Noon. Master Gardener Denise K. will be our presenter for “Gardening in a Warming World.” Denise will discuss the whole landscape approach to gardening. You will learn techniques on how to better prepare and help your garden flourish.  We'll also cover some Integrated Pest Management (IPM) information.

March 7 - Let’s “Travel to the Canary Islands” with Master Gardener Kathie W.  Ever wonder what it would be like to garden in a place where there is no level ground? Or on a volcano? Take an armchair trip with us as we travel to Funchal, a volcanic island off Portugal, and Tenerife, part of the Canary Islands. Learn about gardening on volcanic islands. Explore someplace new!

April 4 - “Bluebirds!” with Master Gardener Chee L. Everybody loves bluebirds, that’s why they’re the official bird of New York State. If you are new to bluebirding, this program will cover everything you need to know to attract them to your property. If you’re an old pro this will help refresh your memory of why you love them!

May 2 - “Hardscape in the Garden” with Master Gardener Roberta T. Not every part of a garden has to have plants. Hardscape is any of the non-living elements in your landscape design. We’ll give you some ideas on how you can easily add stone elements to your landscape.

June 6 - Master Gardener Maud C. will do a demonstration on “How to Create a Terrarium.” Always popular, they are sometimes referred to as “gardens under glass.”  Whether you would like to create a theme-based garden or just a plant jungle, the principles are the same. Maud will walk you through the steps so you can build your own and also give you tips to keep your terrarium looking spectacular.

Garden Talk programs start at Noon and can be 30 to 60 minutes long, depending on the topic. This free series is open to all, but registration is required. You can attend in person at the CCE office (420 East Main Street, Batavia) or via Zoom.

To register for a Zoom link, visit our Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County website at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/events. A Zoom link will be sent to your email with your personal link to the event. 

To attend in person please contact Laura at 585-343-3040 x101 or leg224@cornell.edu. Upcoming Master Gardener events will also be posted on the CCE Genesee County website. Garden Talk programs are recorded and posted to our CCE Genesee YouTube page at www.youtube.com/channel/UCaXK_W80PkoUBj-HBm8OFMA/videos. 

The Board of Directors for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County will hold its Annual Organizational Meeting on Jan. 23, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at 420 E. Main St., Batavia. 

Election of officers, annual authorizations, and appointment of committees/chairs will be decided on at this meeting. For more information, please contact Yvonne Peck at ydp3@cornell.edu or 585-343-3040 x123.

Would you love to grow nutritious, great-tasting vegetables but don’t have space for a garden? The Batavia Community Garden can help! Come join our Batavia Community Garden in 2024 and enjoy the benefits of growing and eating your own fresh produce. Bed rentals also make the perfect Christmas gift for your favorite gardener. Join a community of gardeners.

Garden plots are offered in three sizes: 4’ x 4’ ($20), 4’ x 8’ ($30), and 2’ x 10’ ($25) trough plots for gardeners with limited range of motion. All plots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Plot rentals are available to anyone living in Genesee County. Currently managed by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, the garden is located next to 12 MacArthur Drive. The garden generally opens for planting in mid-May and closes in late October.

New gardeners (with little or no gardening experience) can rent one 4’ x 4’ plot. Gardeners with gardening experience can rent up to two 4’ x 4’ plots or one 4’ x 8’ plot. Elevated trough beds (for adaptive gardening needs) are limited to one bed per gardener if available. Potential gardeners should review the Batavia Community Garden Rules and Information before applying. 

Plot fees include access to a raised bed filled with a growing soil mix, access to water source with hose, watering wand, and watering cans; use of provided hand tools; use of compost bin, and other resources at the garden.

Plot requests are filled according to the order in which applications are received. A check or money order must be included with the application. Payments of cash can be made at the CCE Genesee office during business hours at 420 E Main St, Batavia. All fees are non-refundable. 

For more information please contact Laura G. at CCE Genesee County, (585) 343-3040, ext. 101, stop by the CCE office at 420 East Main Street in Batavia or visit the website https://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/gardening/the-batavia-community-garden.

The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County Board of Directors meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 28. The meeting will be held at the Association at 420 E. Main St. in Batavia and is open to the public.

For more information, please contact Yvonne Peck at ydp3@cornell.edu or 585-343-3040 x123.

The Genesee County Master Gardeners are excited to announce that we will be collecting NEW, unwrapped BOOKS for youth, ages infant to 18 years old.  The books will be donated to the local Salvation Army for their annual Christmas gift giving campaign.

Books enhance a child’s ability to read and to communicate effectively.  The gift of a new book delivers a message of hope and instills self-confidence in children.

You can drop books off at the Genesee County Cooperative Extension office (420 East Main St., Batavia), Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  There is a collection bin set up near the reception area window.  Donations of new books can be made through Dec. 4.

The Genesee County Master Gardeners thank you in advance for your support.

Please contact Jan at 585-343-3040 x132 if you have questions.

“CCE of Genesee County is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.”

The Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Genesee and Leadership Genesee (LG) offices will close for the day at 12 p.m. on Nov. 9. The offices will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 13.

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Genesee County will hold its Annual Meeting and Recognition Dinner on Tuesday, October 24 at 5 p.m. at Terry Hills Restaurant, 5122 Clinton Street Rd., Batavia.

CCE of Genesee County cordially invites you to join us for dinner and help us recognize employees and volunteers. Cornell Cooperative Extension friends, volunteers, and members of the community are welcome to attend.

Please register by October 16 by visiting our website or contacting Laura Guiste: leg224@cornell.edu or 585-343-3040 Ext. 101.

The Cornell Cooperative Extension(CCE) of Genesee County Board of Directors meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on September 26. 

The meeting will be held at the Association at 420 E. Main St. Batavia and is open to the public. For more information, please contact Yvonne Peck at ydp3@cornell.edu or 585-343-3040 x123.