2017-2018 L.E.A.F. Workshop Series

View the full course booklet here!

Email kaw249@cornell.edu if you would like to get email notificaiton of upcoming workshops.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Agriculture Program is excited to announce a variety of upcoming educational workshops. The L.E.A.F. (Learn. Empower. Achieve. Farm.) Series is open to beginning farmers, established farms looking to diversify and grow, agriculture enthusiasts, homesteaders, and EVERYONE in between! The L.E.A.F. (Learn. Empower. Achieve. Farm.) Program is made possible through the generous support of the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

Key Information about the 2017-2018 L.E.A.F. Workshops

Each workshop is $5 - $40. Please see information about the specific workshops. This registration fee covers up to 4 people from the same farm/family, or one set of materials.
Pre-registration is required by mailing in the form attached to this publication or by visiting https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/leaf1718_206 at least 3 days prior to the workshop you are hoping to attend. This is needed to give our staff adequate time to prepare workshop materials.
All of the workshops will be held at the Frank W. Bratt Agricultural Center, 3542 Turner Road, Jamestown, NY 14701, unless otherwise noted.
Light Refreshments will be offered at each workshop.
The L.E.A.F. Workshops are designed to be interactive - bring your questions and ideas!
The best way to keep in touch with CCE-Chautauqua’s programming is to subscribe! Visit www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauquau/subscribe or give us a call to get subscribed.
Please contact Katelyn Walley-Stoll, 716-664-9502 ext. 202 for more information.

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Pasture Management, Grazing and Fencing

Wednesday, February 28th, 2018 6pm - 8pm $5/family

Workshop participants will have the opportunity to learn about improving pastures through grazing management, renovating pastures to improve quality and quantity of forage, sizing pasture for different livestock species, fencing options, and providing water in pastures with an emphasis on soil health. The instructor for this workshop will be Don Wild, a retired Conservation and Grazing Specialist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) who currently is a King’s AgriSeeds dealer that also operates Wild Acres Farm in Great Valley, NY.

Essential Oils & Your Garden

Monday, March 5^th, 2018 6pm – 8pm $10/participant

Essential Oils are the life blood of plants. They are amazing volatile compounds that can enhance our gardens! Join us for a sampling of oils and ideas on how to use your oils in your garden for a great growing season! Mollie Vacco, local entrepreneur, mom to 3 boys, horse owner, and hobby farm owner will be leading this workshop, drawing from her experience with using Essential Oils for over 10 years! Mollie is passionate about helping people find natural solutions to support their lifestyle, and is a lifelong learner who loves to teach! Bring your questions and a notebook for this interactive workshop. For more information, check out www.mollievacco.com. $10 fee covers the cost of one “take home goodie” and workshop materials.

Raising Capital for your Farm

Tuesday, March 20^th, 2018 6pm – 8pm $5/family

Finding funding for your farm business can often times be the most difficult task for starting a farm business. Join Amanda Ritchey, Farm Loan Manager with the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), and USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) staff to learn more about the various resources available through USDA and their associated federal agencies including FSA, Rural Development, and NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service). This workshop will cover Ag lenders, what lenders are looking for, how to prepare a balance sheet, basics of compiling a projection, and FSA loan basics.

Introduction to Mushroom Growing

Saturday, March 24^th, 2018 10am – 1pm $40/family

Join Cornell University Professor Emeritus Ken Mudge, co-author of Farming in the Woods, to learn more about growing mushrooms. At the conclusion of the workshop, participants will be able to take home an inoculated log. Additional information forthcoming.

Climate Smart Gardening

Tuesday, March 27th, 2018 6pm – 8pm $5/family

As our climate changes, so should our gardening practices! Come to this workshop led by Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Farm Business Management Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County, to learn more about the key concepts associated with gardening in a warming world. We’ll cover the key concepts such as systems thinking that are fundamental to understanding the challenge of the changing climate and how it relates to gardening skills and techniques. This workshop will utilize curriculum that was designed by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County in partnership with the Cornell Garden-Based Learning program.

Introduction to Sheep Production

Thursday, March 29th, 2018 6pm – 8pm $5/family

In this workshop, participants will learn the basics of sheep production and care from lamb to adult animal. This will include information on housing and supplies, nutrition, breed selection, production, animal wellness, and marketing. Leading this workshop will be Breanna Waild-Halla, who graduated with a bachelor's degree in Animal Science from Cornell University with a focus in production animals and sheep production and has many years of experience with raising sheep.

So, You Want to Start A Farm?

Saturday, March 31st, 2018 10am - 12Noon $10/family

This workshop is for participants who have ever dreamed of having their own farm operation! Topics covered will be broad and include enterprise selection, insurance, marketing, and resources for future exploration of owning your own farm business. The instructor for this workshop will be Katelyn Walley- Stoll, Farm Business Management Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County. She is a graduate of Cornell University with a degree in Animal Science and Ag Business Management, and owns and operates a diversified livestock farm. Participants of this workshop will be asked to complete a pre-workshop survey to better focus the course presentation and will receive a comprehensive binder with resources for beginning farmers.

Raising Poultry for Egg Production

This is a 3 part series with multiple workshop offerings. You can attend one or all!

$10/each class or $25 to attend all three.

Backyard Chickens are a popular way to get started with homesteading and farming! In this workshop series, we’ll take a closer look at some of the nuts and bolts of raising poultry for egg production (backyard and beyond). Feel free to come to one, two, or three workshops – you can choose which offering fits your schedule! Each class participant will receive a resource guide with informational handouts and reference materials, opportunity for hands-on demonstrations, and the option for follow up consultations. Even if you’ve come to one of our poultry workshops in the past, we’ll have some new tips and tricks along with hands-on demonstrations throughout this series. If you’re just getting started, or just thinking about raising poultry, we’ll be covering (almost) everything you need to know! This workshop series is instructed by Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Farm Business Management Educator and “chicken lady” with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County, who has had many years of experience raising poultry for egg production and is a graduate of Cornell University’s Animal Science Program.

Class #1: Housing and Equipment

Thursday, March 1st, 2018 (6pm – 8pm)

Saturday, March 3rd, 2018 (10am – 12noon)

Covering: Site analysis, equipment ‘checklist’, housing options, predator control, supplies, and cleaning. Demonstration on making a dust bath and cleaning equipment.

Class #2: Chick Care, Adult Nutrition, and Health

Wednesday, March 7th , 2018 (6pm – 8pm)

Saturday, March 10th, 2018 (10am – 12noon)

Covering: Breed selection, baby basics, sourcing, feed selection, disease prevention, adult care. Demonstration on growing fodder and handling chicks upon receipt.

Class #3: Egg Production, Marketing, and Regulations

Wednesday, March 14th, 2018 (6pm – 8pm)

Saturday, March 17th, 2018 (10am – 12noon)

Covering: Egg production, egg handling and care, selling and marketing your eggs, regulations to follow. Demonstration on egg candling and carton labeling.

FAMACHA Certification: Let Us Help You with Small Ruminant Parasite Control

Wednesday, April 4th, 2018 6pm – 9pm Classroom Portion

Saturday, April 7th, 2018 8am - 10am Practice/Video Recording Portion

$15/person or $30/person with purchase of FAMACHA Card

Have you ever wanted to achieve your FAMACHA Certification? Want to learn more about parasite control for small ruminants? Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County is excited to announce a unique collaboration with The University of Rhode Island to offer farmers, 4-Her’s, homesteaders, and other small ruminant producers an opportunity to participate in their online training program for FAMACHA Certification within a group workshop format facilitated by CCE-Chautauqua. The FAMACHA system is a unique and easily accessible system for small ruminant producers to make deworming decisions based on an estimate of the level of anemia in sheep and goats associated with barber pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) infection. The FAMACHA Card was developed in South Africa and was introduced to the U.S. by the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control.

Participants of this workshop will watch 2 pre-recorded videos that will cover topics on Integrated Parasite Control and the FAMACHA System including demonstration of the proper scoring technique. We will then go through an individual post-video assessment and discuss the information presented immediately after collecting individual responses. Finally, there will be the opportunity to practice the FAMACHA scoring Technique and record a video demonstrating your mastery of the technique. CCE-Chautauqua will provide assistance with the technology needed to watch the required videos, take and submit the post-video summary and record and submit your demonstration videos. Upon completion, the participant will receive a Certificate of Competence in the FAMACHA anemia scoring system that will enable the purchase of a FAMACHA card. The certificates can be expected within a couple of weeks after submitting your demonstration videos. The online training program offered in this L.E.A.F. workshop was developed by Dr. Katherine Petersson and Dr. Anne Zajac, DVM, members of the ACSRPC, as part of a Northeast SARE grant being administered by the University of Rhode Island. More information about this online training program can be viewed on the URI website, http://web.uri.edu/sheepngoat/famacha/

The cost for this workshop will be $15/person or $30/person with the purchase of a FAMACHA Card (to be mailed following successful program completion). This workshop will be facilitated by Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Farm Business Management Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County. She is a graduate of Cornell University with a degree in Animal Science and Ag Business Management, and owns and operates a diversified livestock farm. Assisting with the program will be Kate Ewer, our “crazy goat lady” whose love for goats began as a 4-H youth sixteen years ago and is currently the 4-H Community Educator with CCE-Chautauqua.

Interpreting Soil Sample Reports

Saturday, April 7th, 2018 10am – 12Noon $5/family

OR $18/family to include a FREE sample voucher

In this workshop, led by Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Farm Business Management Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County, participants will have the opportunity to learn more about soil sampling. Topics to be covered include why it’s important to sample soils, how to take a soil sample, the difference between a pH test and a full analysis soil sample, and how to read a soil sample report. We’ll also have a hands-on portion for this workshop that will include a demonstration on using the Cornell pH Test Kit, practice examples on how to determine fertilizer and lime application rates based on your sample report, and how to determine your soil type. Participants for this workshop have the option of paying either $5 (covering just the course materials) or $20 (which will include a voucher for a free soil sample at a $20 value).

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Past Workshops

QuickBooks Training for Agricultural Producers

Tuesday Evenings in October (3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th)

6:30pm - 8:30pm

Jamestown Community College, Jamestown Campus

Carnahan Center, Computer Lab 109

$150/farm (scholarships available) - covers all four workshops

The course will be instructed by Farm Credit East financial services professionals, Lindsay Eckman and Shannon Mardino. Participants will receive a tailored in-person course, electronic documents for future reference, and a binder filled with the nights’ presentations. This course is offered through the L.E.A.F. (Learn. Empower. Achieve. Farm.) program and has a value upwards of $800 per participant, but thanks to the sponsorship of Farm Credit East, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County, and the Small Business Association, the actual cost to participants is only $150. This course, geared to those farm businesses with little to no experience using QuickBooks, will cover many different topics including: Company Preferences, Chart of Accounts, Vendors, Customers, Deposits, Sales Receipts, Checks, Printing Checks, Capital Purchases and Liabilities, Cash Entries, Reports, Saving a Backup, Short Cuts, Reconciling a Checking Account, Payroll, and more! QuickBooks is a financial accounting software that many farms in our area choose to use as a method of record-keeping, which is an important aspect of operating a successful farm business.

Operating Tractors and Farm Equipment

~~Saturday, October 21st, 2017~~ CANCELLED

10am - 12noon; $10/farm family

PLEASE NOTE: This workshop will be held at LandProEquipment, 1756 Lindquist Drive, Falconer, NY.

This workshop, which will include demonstrations with tractors and equipment along with presentations and distribution of reference materials, will cover several important topics, including: Review of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standards for Agriculture Equipment including Proper Tractor and Equipment Operation, Power Take-off Shafts, Guarding of Farm Equipment, Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS) and much more useful information to learn how to stay safe while operating tractors and farm equipment. Leading this workshop will be Martin Krause, from Delevan, NY, who is currently the WNY consultant for NYCAMH (New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health). This workshop is supported by a grant from the Northeast Extension Risk Management Program.

Essential Oils & Animals 101

Thursday, November 9th, 2017 6pm – 8pm $10/family

Who has heard the buzz around Essential Oils? This workshop will be spent introducing you to and/or expanding your horizon on using Essential Oils with your animals! Winter is fast approaching and there are so many ways to support our animals that live in the barn and those who live in our house! Essential Oils are so easy to add to any household, first aid kit, or tack room! Mollie Vacco, local entrepreneur, mom to 3 boys, horse owner, and hobby farm owner will be leading this workshop, drawing from her experience with using Essential Oils for over 10 years! Mollie is passionate about helping people find natural solutions to support their lifestyle, and is a lifelong learner who loves to teach! Bring your questions and a notebook for this interactive workshop. For more information, check out www.mollievacco.com. $10 fee covers the cost of one “take home goodie” and workshop materials.

Soil Properties and Soil Health

Tuesday, December 5th, 2017 6pm – 8pm $5/family

In this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to learn how to inventory the soils on their property, use a soil survey to determine the suitability of their soils for various cropping programs, and how to use crop rotations, cover crops, and the application of organic materials to build a healthy soil. Participants will receive a copy of the Chautauqua County Soil Survey. Leading this workshop will be Robert (Rob) Halbohm, who is currently the Water Quality Technician with the Chautauqua County Soil & Water Conservation District. He retired from the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service three years ago, after working for 35 years in the field of assisting landowners in the development and implementation of conservation plans to protect their natural resources and maintain a profitable farm operation. He currently works on the District’s Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) program.

Small Farm Financials

Tuesday, January 23rd, 2017 6pm - 8pm $5/family

Learn how to keep records and track financial information for a successful farm business. Geared toward beginning record-keepers, participants will learn about common record-keeping methods, preparation of common financial statements, and the importance of knowing the financial pulse of your farm. This class will focus on hands-on exercises and examples. Please bring a calculator. The instructor is Ginny Carlberg, financial consultant for NY FarmNet.

Old Fashioned Soap Making

Saturday, January 27th, 2018 10am – 12noon $10/family

Do you have used cooking oil or extra lard from butchering a hog and don't know what to do with it? Learn how to make homemade soap using lye and animal and/or vegetable fats. Participants will learn the history and science behind soapmaking, equipment and supplies needed, and how various fats and oils affect the finished product. Everyone will participate in making a batch of soap and will get to take home a bar of homemade soap (a portion of the $10 registration fee covers the cost of these materials). The instructor will be Linda Dewey, a 5th generation farmer and owner/operator of Silver Falls Farm, Perrysburg, NY, which has been continuously owned and operated by the Dewey family since 1817, who has had many years of experience carrying on the family soapmaking tradition.

Business Planning for Beginning Farmers

Thursday, February 1st, 2018 6pm – 8pm $5/family

This seminar introduces the new farmer to the basic format and concepts expected in a business plan. In addition to the actual farming, a farm operation requires management, record keeping, taxes, financing, marketing, permits, competition analysis, and research. Research is ongoing for suppliers, competition, new products and services, resources and most important - customer needs. Once your farm is established, you can revisit each area for improvements on a regular basis. It’s your business so make it the best it can be. Don't underestimate the importance of planning. While it is possible to start with minimal planning, successful businesses typically have a plan, know their market, their customers and have a good understanding of the financial requirements of the business. A farm business plan is also necessary in most instances when seeking financing. This workshop will be taught by Scott Miller, Business Advisor with the Small Business Development Center at Jamestown Community College who has had several years of experience working with beginning farm business owners in our area.

Social Media Marketing for Farms & Farmers: Getting Started

Tuesday, February 6th, 2018 6pm – 8pm $5/family

Social media has become the fastest, easiest way to stay connected to your customers and tell your story -- but it can be hard to know where to begin. This seminar is geared towards participants who want to learn more about marketing their farm or farm business through social media and will detail the basics of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, how to set up social media for a farm or small business and how best to tell each unique story to connect with customers and the community. The instructor is Kristen Kovatch Bentley, managing editor at online equestrian magazine HorseNation.com and a proud member of the Peterson Farm family, who developed and manages the farm's social media presence.

Vegetable Fertility Considerations for Season Extension

Thursday, February 8th, 2018 6pm – 8pm $5/family

Interested in pushing your fruits and vegetables further with season extension techniques? Mulch, low tunnels, high tunnels and greenhouses all can increase yield and harvest window, but require a different fertility approach. In this session we will discuss how to provide adequate nutrients to your crops without overloading the soil. By taking a balanced approach we can assure long-term, high yielding soils. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and much more! Judson Reid, Extension Vegetable Specialist with the Cornell Vegetable Program, will be the leader of this interactive workshop. He has worked for Cornell Cooperative Extension for several years, and focuses on cultural practices, small farm operations, and season extension techniques through his work.

Yummy Yeast Breads

Saturday, February 10th, 2018 10am – 12noon $10/participant

Love the taste of homemade bread? Learn how easy it is to make various types of yeast breads. Participants will learn basic breadmaking techniques by making a batch of English Muffin Bread. Also, they will receive recipes and instructions for making other types of yeast breads such as sour dough, salt rising, sweet rolls and whole grain breads. Information will also be given on rules and regulations for selling baked goods at farmers' markets. Everyone will go home with a loaf of fresh, warm bread (a portion of the $10 registration fee covers the cost of these materials). The instructor will be Linda Dewey, 5th generation owner/operator of Silver Falls Farm, Perrysburg, NY, which has been continuously owned and operated by the Dewey family since 1817, who is also employed as a full time cook, has shown baked goods at the Cattaraugus County Fair for 41 years and sells baked goods at two farmers' markets.

Social Media Marketing for Farms & Farmers: Advanced

Tuesday, February 13th, 2018 6pm – 8pm $5/family

Social media marketing is much more than advertising an event or a product for sale: in this seminar, participants will learn how to create a conversation between customers and the farm or farm business, network with other farms, organizations or events, and best use the unique features of several platforms to market to new audiences. This seminar is geared towards participants who are familiar with social media and may already have social media set up for their farm or business, but all are welcome! The instructor is Kristen Kovatch Bentley, managing editor at online equestrian magazine HorseNation.com and a proud member of the Peterson Farm family, who developed and manages the farm's social media presence.

Foodplots and Woodlots: A Step Farther

Thursday, February 15th, 2018 6pm – 8pm $5/family

This informative and useful workshop will discuss food plots and managing woodlots for wildlife. Learn the basics of food plots, crop selection, soil testing, plot preparation, and tips and tricks to improve your success rate and well as proper management to ensure the long-term success of your woodlot. David Spann, who has over 15 years of professional experience in conservation and habitat creation, will lead this workshop. Mr. Spann is the District Field Manager for the Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District and has advanced degrees in Fisheries & Aquaculture as well as Forest Technology. He also owns and operates Land Management Services which provides services such as Consultant Forestry and general habitat consulting for landowners. Participants of this workshop will be asked to complete a pre-workshop survey to better focus the course presentation.

Small Scale Hops Production – The Next Steps

Saturday, February 17th, 2018 10am – 12noon $5/family

This workshop will be held at CLEREL; Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory; 6592 West Main Road; Portland, NY 14769

This workshop will build upon last year’s Small Scale Hops Production L.E.A.F. workshop. To give participants an opportunity for a firsthand look at a hop yard, we will be meeting at the Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory in Portland, NY. There will be classroom lectures, tours of the CLEREL hopyards, mobile hops harvester and drying operation as well as plenty of time for questions and answers. Whether you are new to hops or have some in the ground, this workshop will provide the opportunity to gain the research-based knowledge to make growing hops less mysterious. As a portion of the workshop will be held outside, please dress appropriately for the weather. The instructor will be Tim Weigle, Senior Extension Associate with the NYS IPM Program who has been working with hops for 8 years.

Vet 101: What to Do When Things Go Wrong

Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 6pm – 8pm $5/family

Many beginning farmers and homesteaders have limited access to vet care, and it’s important to know how to care for your animals when things go wrong! Join New York State Veterinarian, Dr. Shannon Carpenter, who has many years of experience with livestock animal operations and has previously worked as a private veterinarian. This workshop will cover many of the basics for a beginning or small farmer, including items to have on hand in your “tool kit”, signs of illness, a discussion on when to call the vet, information on vets in our area to contact, and how to measure key vital signs.

Baby Mama Drama: Do’s and Don’ts of Animal Birth on the Farm

Wednesday, February 21st, 2018 6pm – 8pm $5/family

When thinking about growing your herd, animal birth will be one of the most exciting and challenging aspects of your farmstead. This interactive workshop will discuss many of the key aspects to birth on the farm including gestation lengths for multiple species, signs of labor, creating the ideal freshening environment, baby care, mama care, and what to look for as you try to prevent issues that can sometimes arise. Leading this workshop will be New York State Veterinarian, Dr. Shannon Carpenter, who has many years of experience with livestock animal operations and has previously worked as a private veterinarian.

Rural Landowners Workshop

Saturday, February 24th, 2018 10am – 12noon $5/family

Do you own land in Chautauqua County? Join leaders in our area for a discussion on real estate taxes, Agricultural Districts, Agricultural Assessments, Right to Farm Protections and Regulations, leasing and renting farmland, and more. Speakers for this workshop are still being organized.

Pressure Canning

Tuesday, February 27th, 2018 6pm – 8pm $5/participant

Come and learn all about preserving your bountiful harvest! This workshop will provide an overview for safely pressure canning, including the basics of the necessary equipment, trusted sources for recipes and important food safety information. Pressure canning is a safe method of preserving foods such as meats, soups, low acid vegetables, and more. Samples of preserved foods will be available for taste-testing as well as a live canning demonstration. The instructor will be Cheryl Wahlstrom, a registered dietitian who is also a CCE Master Gardener and Master Food Preserver.