Fungus, Beekeeping, Mental Health, Business Planning, and More

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (September 20, 2024) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Agricultural Program is excited to announce the Fall 2024 LEAF 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 LEAF. workshops will be held this fall at the Jamestown Community College Carnahan Center. Workshops are just $5 per household and early registration is appreciated. Visit https://chautauqua.cce.cornell.edu/agriculture/leaf-workshops or call 716-664-9502 Ext. 209 or email lpc33@cornell.edu to register, or for more information. Come join us and learn something new and exciting!

Biosecurity: Controlling Dangerous Germs Lurking on the Farm

Wednesday, October 2 / 6:00 – 8:00 pm / JCC Carnahan Center / $5 per household

It’s inevitable: microbes like viruses and bacteria are everywhere! Luckily, most are harmless or helpful, but there are some diseases, such as the recent Avian Influenza outbreak, that we need to take steps to minimize on our farms for the safety of our food and families. CCE Livestock Specialist Amy Barkley will explain why biosecurity on our local farms is so important, the latest concerns to be aware of, research-based best practices to keep people and animals healthy, and more.

Farm Succession Planning

Thursday, October 10 / 10:00 – 12:00 pm / JCC Carnahan Center / $5 per household

When we think of a farm, we may picture a home, a business, a refuge, a lifestyle. It might include land, equipment, equity, animals, and more. A simple 4-letter word is actually a very complicated package, and it’s never too early to begin thinking ahead about a smooth transition of your farm to a future owner. David Chamberlain, NY FarmNet Financial Consultant, will guide us through a discussion about things to consider, resources available, and next steps for your farm succession plan.

Cultivating Saprophytic Fungus

Monday, October 21 / 4:00 – 6:00 pm / JCC Carnahan Center / $5 per household

Are you interested in learning more about growing your own mushrooms? See how one small business cultivates saprophytic fungus! Emilie Barnett of Barnett's Mushrooms will lead this class explaining their process to producing gourmet mushrooms, cloning wild mushrooms, and growing your own mushrooms using at home kits. Kits will be available for purchase at the end of the class for $20.

Grants & Planning for Business Success

Wednesday, November 6 / 2:00 – 4:00 pm / JCC Carnahan Center / $5 per household

You may dream of growing crops and raising livestock, but the reality of running a business is more than the fieldwork! This info-packed session will review the fundamentals of developing a business plan, including financial projections and breakeven analysis, as well as seeking financing through grants that don’t need to be repaid. Free tools and resources will be provided by Beth Reed of the Small Business Development Center, grant writer Paula Pichon, and CCE Nutrition Educator Linnea Haskin.

Honeybee Pests & Diseases

Tuesday, November 12 / 6:00 – 8:00 pm / JCC Carnahan Center / $5 per household

Join Chautauqua County beekeepers as they discuss major diseases and pests that a beekeeper must be on the lookout for. They will spend time talking about American Foulbrood (AFB), which is a bacterial disease that kills honeybee brood.

Home & Farm Energy Efficiency

Monday, November 18 / 6:00 – 8:00 pm / JCC Carnahan Center / $5 per household

Whether you’re motivated by saving money, environmental responsibility, adding value to your property, or all the above, making energy efficiency improvements is an all-around win! This workshop, co-led by Lisa Kempisty, CCE Agriculture Community Educator, and Emily Edmunds, Sustainability Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cattaraugus County, will share energy efficiency ideas big and small, and financing opportunities available for both homes and farms.

So, You Want to Start a Farm?

Thursday, December 5 / 6:00 – 8:00 pm / JCC Carnahan Center / $5 per household

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. 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. Participants of this workshop will receive a comprehensive binder with additional resource material.

Rural Mental Health Resilience

Tuesday, December 10 / 6:00 – 8:00 pm / JCC Carnahan Center / $5 per household

There is a mental health emergency in rural America, with higher rates of depression and suicide and less access to mental health care services than in cities. Join us for an evening with Jeff Winton, Founder and Chairman of Rural Minds, and Christina Marsh, NY FarmNet Consultant, as they share mental health and wellness information and resources for people in our local rural communities.

Registration & more info available by calling the CCE Chautauqua office (716-664-9502)

or by visiting: https://chautauqua.cce.cornell.edu/agriculture/leaf-workshops

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 September 20, 2024