Chickens, Beginning Farms, Wool, and More

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (March 1, 2023) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension Chautauqua County’s Agricultural Program is excited to announce the spring 2023 L.E.A.F. workshops. The LEAF (Learn Empower Achieve Farm) Series is open to beginning farmers, established farms looking to diversify and grow, agriculture enthusiasts, homesteaders, and EVERYONE in between!

A variety of L.E.A.F. workshops will be held this spring with varying locations. Workshops are just $5-$15 per person and early registration is appreciated. Visit https://chautauqua.cce.cornell.edu/agriculture/le... or call 716-664-9502 Ext. 202 or email cks83@cornell.edu to register, or for more information. Come join us and learn something new and exciting!

All The Chicken Things

Thursday March 2, 2023

6:00pm-8:00pm

Location: Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory

6592 W Main Rd, Portland, NY 14769

$5/person

Do you want to know what it takes to be a chicken farmer? Are you interested in having chickens for eggs or for meat? This workshop is for you! Amy Barkley, Livestock Specialist with the Cornell Cooperative Extensions Southwest New York Livestock Dairy and Field Crops Team will lead this workshop. Amy will teach us how to get started with poultry and best practices to follow for happy healthy flocks! Amy grew up on a small farm in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and earned her Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science with a minor in Poultry and Avian Science from Penn State University. After graduation, she attained her Master's Degree in Animal Science from Penn State, where her research focused in renewable, alternative bedding materials for broiler production and their impacts on broiler performance, welfare, and the environment. Following graduation, Amy worked in quality assurance for a national egg company, working with farms of all sizes across the nation to ensure compliance in food safety, nutrition, product quality, and animal welfare. Amy and her husband Zach reside in East Concord, NY on a farm which they are excited to make their own.

So, You Want to Start A Farm?

Tuesday March 7, 2023

6:00pm-8:00pm

Location: JCC Carnahan Building

(GPS) 241 James Avenue, Jamestown, NY

$10/family (take home materials)

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. Participants will receive a comprehensive binder with additional resource material. The workshop will be taught by Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Team Leader and Farm Business Management Specialist from the Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program with Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Wool Felted Soap

Thursday March 9, 2023

6:00pm-8:00pm

Location: JCC Carnahan Building

(GPS) 241 James Avenue, Jamestown, NY

$5/person

Long before people used loofahs or washcloths for bathing, felted soap allowed you to get a creamy lather without using much soap and gave you a built in washcloth. Plus, the wool is anti-bacterial!! Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Lead 4-H Educator, Lindsey Crisanti, will guide participants in wool felting soap!

The soap used for this workshop was made by Lynette Chase from Daybreaksdreams farm in Jamestown, NY. Lynette makes soap with traditional ingredients and uses milk from her hand raised cows and Finn sheep. Everyone will get a bar to take home!

Designing A Farm Record Keeping System That Won’t Collect Dust

Tuesday March 14, 2023

6:00pm-8:00pm

Location: JCC Carnahan Building

(GPS) 241 James Avenue, Jamestown, NY

$5/person

Farmers don’t usually farm because they really enjoy paperwork, and yet - record keeping can be the key for ensuring profitability. In this interactive workshop, learn more about effectively keeping farm financial records, what to keep track of, and how to analyze your farm’s financials. This workshop will be taught by Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Team Leader and Farm Business Management Specialist from the Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program with Cornell Cooperative Extension. 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.

Leather Tooling

Wednesday March 15, 2023

6:00pm-8:00pm

Location: JCC Carnahan Building

(GPS) 241 James Avenue, Jamestown, NY

$15/person

**Class size is limited to 15 participants**

Have you ever wanted to learn the art of leather crafting? This is your chance! Participants will learn and practice basic leather tooling and stamping skills. These skills will prepare participants to make larger projects such as belts, etc on their own. At this workshop, you will complete a simple project, such as a key ring/book marker. Nancy Johnson, 4-H volunteer and club leader will guide participants in this workshop. She has over 50 years of leather tooling experience and is ready to share her expertise and help you get started!

Farmer’s Markets 101

Tuesday March 21, 2023

6:00pm-8:00pm

Location: JCC Carnahan Building

(GPS) 241 James Avenue, Jamestown, NY

$5/person

Is participating in a local farmers market the next step for your agri-business? Want to learn all the ins and outs of being a successful vendor? This workshop is for you! Linnea Haskin from The Jamestown Public Market will be co-hosting this workshop with Rosie and Jim Joy from JM Joy Farms with their friends the Callani’s from Gong Garden. This amazing group brings years of experience from behind the scenes to really help answer any questions you might have about participating in a farmers market, how to accept benefits like SNAP, double ups, etc both at the market and your home stand.

Preparing A Successful Vegetable Garden in 2023

Tuesday March 28, 2023

6:00pm-8:00pm

Location: JCC Carnahan Building

(GPS) 241 James Avenue, Jamestown, NY

$5/person

This workshop is for anyone that wants to have a successful vegetable garden in 2023! This workshop will discuss how to plan your garden for ample spacing, weed control, companion planting, and prevention of unintentional cross pollination. We will also cover trellises and how to best use the space you have to produce an abundance for your family or even your preservation needs! Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardener Coordinator, Shannon Rinow and Emma Boutelle, Master Gardener and owner of Miller Valley CSA will be leading this interactive workshop! Bring all of your ideas and a list of vegetables you want to try this year!

Part 1 of 4 Wool Series: Preparing Raw Wool for Use

Thursday April 13, 2023

6:00pm-8:00pm

Location: JCC Carnahan Building

(GPS) 241 James Avenue, Jamestown, NY

$5/person

Do you have sheep? Are you interested in fiber sourced from sheep, llamas, alpacas? Want to learn how to prepare raw wool for spinning, felting, or any other of the wide range of uses for wool? This is the beginning of a great wool series! This is the first workshop of four being led by Victoria Boehmer. In this workshop we will learn how to take raw wool and clean it and create roving which is what is used for most wool creations. Victoria Boehmer is a passionate fiber artist, teacher, and designer based in Pennsylvania. She is the owner of Tybout House, a local yarn store and fiber arts hub in Warren, PA. In addition to the yarn store, she and her family run Dragonwood Ranch, a small farm with Shetland Sheep. Victoria loves teaching, including all steps in the fiber production process: from sheep to finished product! At Tybout House, she and other enthusiasts practice a variety of fiber arts, and they are always eager to share their passion with others. Bring questions and be prepared to work with some raw fiber! We will have some wool provided but if you happen to have some laying around don’t be afraid to bring it with you!

Sewing 101

Wednesday April 19, 2023

6:00pm-8:00pm

Location: JCC Carnahan Building

(GPS) 241 James Avenue, Jamestown, NY

$5/person

**You will need to bring supplies. Email or call for details

Are you adult that wants to learn some sewing basics while creating a beautiful handmade apron? Join Nancy Johnson, 4-H Leader/Teacher, in making a 30 minute apron that will teach you how to read a simple pattern, cut out fabric, pin, sew straight lines, gather fabric, add trim, and much more. This is a great project for many levels and all are welcome!

Biosecurity On the Farm

Saturday April 22, 2023

10:00am- 12:00pm

Location: Bit-O-Breeze Farm

3181 N. Main St. Extension, Jamestown, NY 14701

$5/person

Biosecurity on a farm is often overlooked but is a highly important step for your farms safety and wellbeing. This applies to farms that have animals, veggies, and/or field crops. Some pests are so small that they can hitchhike on your boots or clothing without you even knowing they are there! Come learn and see some biosecurity initiatives that Bit-O-Breeze farm is following to ensure the safety and health of their pig operation! Please dress to be outside and in a pig barn facility. Please be sure to wear clean clothes that have not been in contact with other animals, especially pigs. Boot sanitation will be provided.

Part 2 of 4 Wool Series: Wool Dying

Thursday April 27, 2023

6:00pm-8:00pm

Location: JCC Carnahan Building

(GPS) 241 James Avenue, Jamestown, NY

$5/person

This is the second workshop of four being led by Victoria Boehmer. Victoria will be back to teach us how to dye our wool and explain the dos and don’ts of dying wool. Come dressed in clothes you don’t mind staining as this will be a hands on workshop! We will have some wool provided but if you happen to have some laying around don’t be afraid to bring it with you!

Katelyn Saves You Money

Wednesday May 3, 2023

6:00pm-8:00pm

Location: JCC Carnahan Building

(GPS) 241 James Avenue, Jamestown, NY

$5/person

This two hour workshop is ramping up to be the catch all of the farm business management world! Come with all of your farm management questions, diversification questions, record keeping questions, general small business questions, whatever questions you might have! This workshop will be an interactive and intimate discussion with Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Team Leader and Farm Business Management Specialist from the Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program with Cornell Cooperative Extension. 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.

Goat and Sheep Super Saturday

Saturday May 6, 2023

10:00am-12:00pm

Location: Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory

6592 W Main Rd, Portland, NY 14769

$5/person

Interested in owning sheep or goats and want the 411? Already own sheep or goats and want some more information on how to keep your flock or herd safe and healthy? Join us for a hands on workshop learning about hoof trimming, 5 point inspections, FAMACHA training, bio security, and general best practices! This workshop will be taught by Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Team Leader and Farm Business Management Specialist from the Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program with Cornell Cooperative Extension, Amy Barkely, Livestock Specialist also from the Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program, and Cassandra Skal, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Agriculture Program Coordinator. Between the three instructors there is a wealth of knowledge about sheep and goats so bring your questions about just getting started to diversifying and wear something you don’t mind getting dirty in!

Composting 101

Wednesday May 10, 2023

6:00pm-8:00pm

Location: Green Heron Growers

2361 Wait Corners Rd, Sherman, NY 14781

$5/person

Come celebrate National Composting Week with us!! Have you ever wondered about the science and magic behind turning unwanted organic matter into wonderful healthy soil? Join the collaboration of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Master Gardeners and Green Heron Growers for a LEAF (Learn. Empower. Achieve. Farm) workshop all about composting! This workshop is being hosted at Green Heron Growers which provides the opportunity to see the process in real life and ask any questions you might have from people that work with the soil every day! Come with questions and dressed ready to learn out in the field! Be sure to visit the Heron Farm Store while you are there and scoop up some locally grown goods!

Part 3 of 4 Wool Series: Wool Spinning

Thursday May 11, 2023

6:00pm-8:00pm

Location: JCC Carnahan Building

(GPS) 241 James Avenue, Jamestown, NY

$5/person

This is the third workshop of four being led by Victoria Boehmer. Victoria will be back to teach us about spinning wheels, drop spindles, where to find supplies to spin at home, and everything in between! We will have some wool provided but if you happen to have some laying around don’t be afraid to bring it with you!

Mushroom Inoculation Day

Tuesday May 23, 2023

6:00pm-8:00pm

Location: Green Heron Growers

2361 Wait Corners Rd, Sherman, NY 14781

$5/person

Do you want to learn about mushrooms? Green Heron Growers and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s LEAF (Learn. Empower. Achieve. Farm) workshops are partnering up to host a mushroom inoculation day! Join us as Julie and Steve from Green Heron Growers lead us on a hands-on experience to show how to grow shiitake mushrooms. Come prepared to learn about mushrooms while exploring the woods on the premise! Dress to travel uneven terrain and ready to get dirt on your hands and clothes! Be sure to visit the Heron Farm Store while you are there and scoop up some locally grown goods!

Part 4 of 4 Wool Series: Wool Marketing

Thursday May 25, 2023

6:00pm-8:00pm

Location: JCC Carnahan Building

(GPS) 241 James Avenue, Jamestown, NY

$5/person

This is the fourth workshop of four being led by Victoria Boehmer. In this workshop we will take our clean wool that is now ready to be dyed. Victoria will be back to teach us about all the uses of wool and how we can market it for sales! You are able to sell wool in many different forms and there are so many great uses for wool in everyday life and for crafting ventures.

Backyard Pigs

Saturday May 27, 2023

10:00am-12:00pm

Location: Bit-O-Breeze Farm

3181 N. Main St. Extension, Jamestown, NY 14701

$5/person

Do you love bacon or pork chops? Have you ever considered raising pigs yourself? Join us at Bit-O-Breeze farm to learn the inside scoop on what it takes to raise backyard pigs up to a breeding facility. There will be a tour and plenty of time for questions and answers.

Agribusiness & The Chamber of Commerce – What Does This Partnership Look Like?

Tuesday May 30, 2023

6:00pm-8:00pm

Location: Bit-O-Breeze Farm

3181 N. Main St. Extension, Jamestown, NY 14701

$5/person

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is interested in working with more agribusiness’ in Chautauqua County. Join this workshop with representatives from the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce to learn how a partnership with them would be a great next step for your agribusiness. They will also walk us through their online sales platform, ShopLocalCHQ. This is such an exciting time for collaborations and working to get the word out about locally sourced products of any kind!

The Agricultural Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a subordinate governmental agency with an educational mission that operates under a form of organization and administration approved by Cornell University as agent for the State of New York. It is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The association is part of the national cooperative extension system, an educational partnership between County, State, and Federal governments. As New York’s land grant university Cornell administers the system in this state. Each Cornell Cooperative Extension association is an independent employer that is governed by an elected Board of Directors with general oversight from Cornell. All associations work to meet the needs of the counties in which they are located as well as state and national goals. 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 1, 2023