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Our Class Listings

Pre-registration and pre-payment are required for all programs. For registration information,

contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Greene County 518-622-9820 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You may also register for programs by emailing greene@cornell.edu by the registration deadline.

Program fees are per person and non-refundable.

Project Bud Break 

Date:      Sunday, April 6                                              Registration deadline:  April 4

Time:      2:00-3:30 p.m.                                               Cost:  Free

Instructor: Dr. David Weinstein


Are you concerned about climate change?  On Sunday April 6 from 2:00-3:30 the Agroforestry Resource Center is hosting Project Bud Break, a program organized by Dr. David Weinstein Assistant Research Scientist at Cornell University to help better understand the potential effects of climate change.  Warmer temperatures brought on by climate changes are undoubtedly already accelerating the timing of the spring opening of flower buds and leaves, the summer growth of fruits, and potentially delaying the autumn coloring and drop of leaves, events called "plant phenology."  The shifts in timing could greatly affect the local survival of many native plant populations by impacts such as disrupting their coordination with pollinating insects as well as forcing the range of these plant populations to advance northward.  Associated with a national effort, a network of citizen scientists observe the timing of flowering, leaf development, fruiting, and leaf drop in populations of common native trees and herbaceous species, many of which can be found right outside your back door.  This program will explain how to become a part of this very important study including learning about the individual plants we will be monitoring and a web site that will help observers understand how to enter their observations on the timing of important plant events throughout the growing season.

Basic Gardening and Soil Clinic

Date:      Saturday, April 12                                        Registration deadline:  April 11

Time:      10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.                 Cost:  $10.00 per person

Instructor: Rick Burstell, Program Educator and Master Gardeners

This gardening class will deal with the basics to get you started on the right track as we begin the growing season.  Topics covered include: soil building, composting, site selection, bed preparation, fertilization, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Bring a soil sample or two so we can test for pH and discuss what soil amendments are appropriate for your chosen crop. Healthy soil is the solution to many garden problems.  We will also discuss weeds, disease, mulch, water and garden planning. It’s time to dust off your shovel and plan for your best garden ever.

Healthy Cooking with Local Food 

Date:      Sunday, April 13                                          Registration deadline:  April 10

Time:      1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.                                      Cost:  $15.00 per person

Instructor: Carol Clement, Heather Ridge Farms

There is nothing like pastured grazed meats which are an example of the delicious and healthy options that local foods provide. Come and learn about specific and essential cooking tips and information specifically relating to the preparation of these meats from our region. Carol will be bringing all the ingredients for everyone to participate in the preparation and actually make a meal that will be shared at the end of the class.  You will also get copies of all the recipes and ingredients will be for sale at the end. So come join us, learn about easy, scrumptious food preparation, enjoy good company and eat great local food.

Watershed Workshop

Date:      April 14-18                                                    Registration deadline:  April 11

Time:      10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.                                 Cost:  $50.00 per child

Instructor:  Liz LoGiudice, Extension Educator

The Watershed Workshop is an opportunity for young people ages 11 to 14 years old to explore the waterways and the forested landscape of the Hudson River Watershed.  Each day, we will investigate the streams and forests at the Siuslaw Tree Farm.  On the last day of the week, we will take a field trip to the Hudson River Estuary.  Young people will learn how to read topographic maps, to identify fish, amphibians and invertebrates in streams, identify pollution, and suggest solutions to water quality problems.  During the workshop, students will create a model watershed and will give a brief presentation on their experiences on Saturday, April 19.  The hands-on workshop will be fun, engaging and educational.

Climate Change Solution: From Global to Local

Date:      Saturday, April 19                                        No registration required.             

Time:      1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.                                      Cost:  Free

Presented by: Agroforestry Resource Center Staff

Join us for this Earth Day celebration where you will learn what you can do to enjoy a more sustainable lifestyle and help the planet. A diverse range of topics will be covered including the importance and “how to” of buying local and regional food and forest products as well as information on reducing your energy consumption. You will also receive a free “Greene Guide”, a 24 page booklet full of environmental tips and resources. Weather permitting we will take a woods walk through the beautiful Siuslaw Model Forest.

The 4 Es of Energy- Grades 4-6*

Date: Monday, April 21

Day Long Workshop                                                 Cost:  FREE

Sponsored by NYSERDA

Do you know the 4 Es of energy?  This interactive workshop promotes an understanding of energy’s relationship with the environment, our economy, efficiency AND the all-important “E” – education. You will use hands-on activities to explore energy forms and sources, global climate change and actions we can take to address the energy challenges we face.

Energy Trilogy—Grades 7-12*

Date: Tuesday, April 22

Day Long Workshop                                                 Cost:  FREE

Sponsored by NYSERDA

We all depend upon it every day, but what are the consequences for the global community’s growing demand for it? This interactive workshop will highlight the Energy Trilogy – how economics, efficiency and the environment relate to the energy challenges before us. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to introduce your students to the impacts of their energy use and explore actions we can take to make a difference. 

*These energy workshops are designed for teachers, educators and those who work with youth.  To attend please register at: http://www.getenergysmart.org/EnergyEducation/Workshop.aspx

For additional information contact New York Energy Smart Students at info@nyess.org or call 1-877-NYSMART.

Nature Jewelry

Date:      Saturday, April 26                                       Registration deadline:  April 24

Time:      10:00 a.m. -2:30 p.m.                                   Cost:  $40 per person

Instructor: Heather L. Martin, multi-media artist and proprietor of Martin Design.

Do you walk in the woods and marvel at all the little things that shimmer like jewels, colorful pebbles, sticks and bones smoothed over by nature's hand? If you've ever wanted to make those things into wearable jewelry, to enjoy and connect us with the earth, come join us for a nature hike and jewelry workshop. We will begin class with a walk into the lovely forested land of the Siuslaw Model Forest at the Agroforestry Resource Center. We will explore a natural glacier-formed "quarry" as well as stream beds, ponds and woodland. This will be a hunting trip for those lovely materials that we will make necklaces, bracelets, or earrings from. Beads and materials will be available at the class and participants are encouraged to bring favorite beads. Lunch will be provided.

Butterfly Gardening

Date:      Tuesday, April 29                                        Registration deadline:  April 25

Time:      7:00-8:30 p.m.                                               Cost:  $10 per person

Presented by: Jane Hershey, RN, MSN, Master Gardener


Have you dreamed of beautiful butterflies gracing your garden?  Learn which plants provide nectar for the butterflies and food for caterpillars. Jane will share what she has learned through observing butterflies and caterpillars over the past twenty years. Please join us and be inspired with visions of beautiful butterflies in your garden this summer. Jane has been sharing her love of butterfly gardens as an instructor since the early 1990’s.
 

Roses 101

Date:      Thursday, May 1                                         Registration deadline:  April 29

Time:      6:00-9:00 p.m.                                               Cost:  $10.00 per person
Presenter:  John Bowen, Master Gardener and rose enthusiast

Roses are one of the most popular and fragrant flowers for gardeners to consider. This workshop is for beginners interested in rose cultivation. It will cover different rose varieties, soil and site requirements, planting, pruning, and general care which include disease and pest control and winter preparation.

Nature Jewelry

Date:      Saturday, May 3                                          Registration deadline:  May 1

Time:      10:00 a.m. -2:30 p.m.                                   Cost:  $40 per person

Instructor: Heather L. Martin, multi-media artist and proprietor of Martin Design.

Do you walk in the woods and marvel at all the little things that shimmer like jewels, colorful pebbles, sticks and bones smoothed over by nature's hand? If you've ever wanted to make those things into wearable jewelry, to enjoy and connect us with the earth, come join us for a nature hike and jewelry workshop. We will begin class with a walk into the lovely forested land of the Siuslaw Model Forest at the Agroforestry Resource Center. We will explore a natural glacier-formed "quarry" as well as stream beds, ponds and woodland. This will be a hunting trip for those lovely materials that we will make necklaces, bracelets, or earrings from. Beads and materials will be available at the class and participants are encouraged to bring favorite beads. Lunch will be provided.

Vernal Pool Workshop for Developers        

Save the Date!  Monday, May 5.  More information coming soon.

Leasing Your Land for Recreational Use

Date:      Saturday, May 10                                        Registration deadline:  May 8

Time:      2:00-4:00 p.m.                                               Cost:  $10 per person

Leasing land for recreational use can give rural land owners a financial incentive to enhance the land’s natural resource benefits. It can also add diversity, flexibility, and additional cash income to farming or other rural operations. While hunting leases are the most common recreational lease, there are other reasons for leasing arrangements to occur. Lease agreements can range from simple one-day access fees to arrangements for guided trips and lodging. Liability, licenses, and regulations are important considerations in planning for a recreational lease. This presentation is for those interested in learning more about recreational leasing on their land and will provide you with the information you need to accomplish this value added strategy for using your rural land. Co-sponsored with Hudson Mohawk RC&D Council.

A Holistic Approach to Health - CANCELLED

Date:      Monday, May 19                                         Registration deadline:  May 16

Time:      6:30-9:00 p.m.                                               Cost:  $25 per person

Presented by: Jane Hershey, RN, MSN, Certified Holistic Nurse and Educator

Would you like to be more empowered when it comes to your health and well being?

Please join us as we explore a holistic approach to health and healing. Jane will share tools to nurture your body/mind/spirit. Health and healing are closely connected to self care through positive lifestyle changes. As we discuss the keys to holistic approach to health you will become more aware of the influence that your environment plays in this process. You will come away inspired with a sense of personal power to enhance your overall health, adding quality to your daily life.

Wipe-Out Oil Painting Technique

Date:      Thursdays, May 22 and 29                         Registration deadline:  May 20 and 27

Time:      1:30-4:00 p.m.                                               Cost:  $35 per session, materials included

Instructor: Heather L. Martin, multi-media artist and proprietor of Martin Design

Looking to nature for artistic inspiration is a tradition in the Hudson Valley, Catskill Mountain region. This class will capitalize on this natural beauty and is for both beginning and advanced artists. Beginners will benefit from learning about some simple tools and several easy techniques that they can readily apply with beautiful results. Intermediate and advanced artists may benefit by learning about a few new tools to add to their painting boxes, plus the techniques to use them. In this hands on workshop we will learn about rubber brushes, subtractive painting and wipe out. We will forgo the traditional canvas and work with smooth gessoed board, (composite, masonite, wood, etc.) We will begin by painting from the imagination, allowing our color taste to lead our painting. Painting from the imagination frees us from worrying about mistakes. After experimentation and fun with technique, we will venture out into a natural landscape treasure of our region for some plein air painting. We will be working with oil paint, turpeniod natural, brushes, and our painting tools.

Master Forest Owner Training

Date:  Thursday, June 5-Sunday, June 8                  Registration deadline:  May 30

Registration is limited to 20 participants                   Cost:  $75

                                         

We are looking for good candidates to become Master Forest Owners. The Master Forest Owner (MFO) Program Training, coordinated with Cornell University’s Department of Natural Resources, provides private forest owners of New York State with the information and encouragement necessary to manage their forest holdings wisely. Master Forest Owner volunteers are part of Cornell Cooperative Extension program that trains private forest landowners to provide free NON-technical assistance to other private forest landowners.  Master Forest Owners (MFO) are a peer-counseling program, and have been effective in providing private forest landowners with a "neighbor" who has asked the same questions and had the same concerns. All MFO graduates of this 4-day training program will learn about the value of the forested landscape including wildlife enhancement and management, the economics of forests, and preserving the ecological integrity of forests. The cost includes all materials and meals. After the training, MFOs will continue to receive information updates, attend refresher classes and maintain contact with natural resource managers from private, public, and academic organizations. For information about applying for this workshop contact Marilyn Wyman at 518-622-9820ext36.

Other Programs:

Working Lands: An Agroforestry Sampler  

Date:      Saturday, April 12  

Time:      8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Place:     135 Emerson Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

A one-day intensive workshop for farmers, forest and land owners, fruit and nut growers, conservation, environmental and agricultural agencies, non-profits, and interested individuals. Program and registration form at www.rpmecosystems.com

Learn how to:

  • Combine trees and shrubs with crops and/or livestock to diversify products, markets, and farm income;
  • Improve soil and water quality while reducing erosion and non-point source pollution and enhancing wildlife habitats;
  • Benefit from using multi-cropping, multi-story practices, including silvipasture, forest farming, riparian buffers, alley cropping, windbreaks, and other agroforestry practices.

This workshop will provide an overview of agroforestry practices and also the Root Production Method as applied to agroforestry with specific case studies highlighting the environmental and economic benefits to the landowner or farmer. Research from the Center of Agroforestry and others will provide updates on current findings and future research initiatives. Presentations and a tour of the Cornell MacDaniels Nut Grove will showcase the opportunities for forest farming in New York and the Northeast.

Dr. Harold “Gene” Garrett, Director, University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry (UMCA), and Wayne Lovelace, Developer of the Root Production Method (RPM), and Partner of RPM Ecosystems LLC, will offer their hands-on experiences and the latest research on a wide array of agroforestry practices.

Sponsored by RPM Ecosystems LLC and the Agroforestry Resource Center, NESARE, Cornell Agroforestry and Private Woodland Management Program Work Team, Cornell Ecoagriculture Working Group, University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry, Chemung Canal Trust Company, NY Forest Owners Association.

Presentations by Dr. Gene Garrett are supported by the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education program (NESARE). Information about NESARE farmer and research grant opportunities will be available at the workshop.

Registration: $95; additional participants from same organization/farm/agency: $75

$35 Students 
Partial scholarships available with application.

For more info: RPM Ecosystems (607)844-9590 or email info@rpmecosystems.com

Program and registration form at www.rpmecosystems.com

Forestry Internet Seminars Focus on Ecology and Management

Selecting Trees Landowners Can Cut versus Leave for Forest Improvement

Date:      Wednesday, April 16

Time:      12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m.

Presented by:  Peter Smallidge, Cornell University Cooperative Extension

An Introduction to the Ecology and Identification of Common Northeastern Conifers

Date:      Wednesday, May 21

Time:      12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m.

Presented by:  Peter Smallidge, Cornell University Cooperative Extension

The ecology and management of northeastern family forests underpin the value that forests contribute to owners, the community and the region.  Seminars are being offered to provide information in this area on the third Wednesday of each month.  Each webcast is provided live, twice.  The initial broadcast each month is from noon to 1:00 p.m. with a repeat live broadcast the same day from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Participation is as easy as a high-speed internet connection via a web browser.  Participants will connect to a secure Cornell Cooperative Extension server to join the presentation.  Participants must pre-register once, without charge, at www.ForestConnect.info. Email notification of internet URL details will be sent to everyone registered. 

If you do not have high-speed internet connection you can join us at the Agroforestry Resource Center for the noon broadcast, but you will need to register.

The ForestConnect Internet Seminar Series is an interactive web conference and was the first of its kind in the US.  Each seminar uses the Internet to distribute, or webcast, a live and interactive presentation.  Since May 2007, web-based seminars have connected forest owners, managers, and practitioners throughout the United States and overseas.  More than 600 owners and managers from 40 states and three countries are registered and receiving announcements for the monthly webcasts.

Trained Logger Certification Courses

The Trained Logger Certification (TLC) program was developed to provide loggers a comprehensive training program that covers three areas of importance to loggers including Game of Logging that teaches appropriate chainsaw use and safe tree felling techniques, Forest Ecology and Silviculture practices and First Aid/CPR skills. For a listing of 2008 courses contact Marilyn Wyman at 518-622-9820 ext 36 or refer to www.nyloggertraining.org

    

If you have special needs related to program participation, please contact our offfice.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Greene County provides equal program and employment opportunities.

 
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