What do Meat Chickens, Instagram, and Soil Health all have in Common?

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (March 13th, 2019) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Agriculture Program is excited to announce the next three workshops in its very popular LEAF (Learn. Empower. Achieve. Farm.) Educational programming. On Saturday, March 16th, from 10am to 2pm, “Raising Meat Chickens” will be the topic of discussion. Then, on Thursday, March 21st from 6pm to 8pm “Instagram for Farms and Agribusinesses” is scheduled and will be followed by “Soil Properties and Soil Health” on Tuesday, March 26th from 6pm to 8pm. All workshops will be held at the Frank Bratt Agricultural Center in Jamestown, 3542 Turner Road. To register, contact Katelyn Walley-Stoll at 716-664-9502 ext. 202, kaw249@cornell.edu, or visit www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua/leaf2019.

“Raising Meat Chickens”, on Saturday, March 16th from 10am to 2pm will be offered for $10/person and will include lunch. Chickens can provide eggs, meat, and enjoyment while adding value to your backyard or farm landscape. This class will focus on meat bird production, covering everything you need to know about raising your own chickens for family consumption or profit. Topics to be discussed: housing, feeding, health, weather and predator concerns, processing, food safety, and more. Lynn Bliven, CCE Allegany County Issue Leader has many years of poultry raising experience. Whether you’re interested in raising a few chickens in your backyard or developing your own chicken-based enterprise, this workshop will give you the tools to get started.

“Instagram for Farms and Agribusinesses” will be offered on Thursday, March 21st from 6pm to 8pm for $5/person. Have you wondered if Instagram is the right fit for your farm? Join us as we talk posts, hashtags, stories, and ads and how this social media platform can help you create a personal brand and message while connecting with the public and potential customers. 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.

“Soil Properties and Soil Health” will be offered on Tuesday, March 26th form 6pm to 8pm for $5/person. 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.

Light refreshments will be offered. Registration will begin 30 minutes prior to each workshop, and pre-registration is recommended to reserve a seat for the event. This workshop is designed to be interactive, so participants are encouraged to bring their questions and ideas to this collaborative environment!

The L.E.A.F. (Learn. Empower. Achieve. Farm.) Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua) in line with the County’s 20/20 Comprehensive Plan. CCE-Chautauqua is a community based educational organization, affiliated with Cornell University, Chautauqua County Government, the NYS SUNY system, and the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Last updated March 13, 2019