LEAF Classes Return for Spring 2025!

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (March 7, 2025) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Agriculture Program is excited to announce LEAF classes are starting up again in the spring of 2025, with some returning favorites and new topics.

LEAF (Learn, Empower, Achieve Farm) is a series of classes that are available to any adult interested in learning about agriculture, no experience necessary. CCE-Chautauqua strives to diversify and grow agriculture in Chautauqua County by connecting our area residents, homesteaders, and farmers to educational resources.

Our Schedule for the Spring has many fun and informative offerings!

• March 25, 2025, 6-8 pm, JCC Carnahan Center: Felting Fun! Join us to learn the basics of needle felting and soap felting with real wool. Gain some insights into fiber and some fun ways to utilize it with some easy-to-learn techniques.
• April 1, 2025, 6-8pm, JCC Carnahan Center: Reach New Audiences with SNAP and other programs. Are you a producer that wants to connect with new customers? Learn how SNAP and other programs can connect producers to additional customers.
• April 8, 2025, 6-8pm, JCC Carnahan Center: Chemicals 101: Learn how to safely use chemicals at home and on the farm. Topics include basic information, regulations, safety around commonly used chemicals and learning about how to make responsible choices when it comes to cleaners, herbicides, pesticides and other household and farm chemicals.
• April 22, 2025, 6-8pm, JCC Carnahan Center: Soil Health and Regenerative Practices: Start your garden right this spring with soil health! Learn how to improve soil health and how it is the foundation of your garden. Topics include soil ecosystem, microorganisms, cover crops and more!
• April 29, 2025 10-12pm, JCC Carnahan Center: Chainsaw Safety Basics  (Co-Sponsored with NYCAMH): Learn how to safely operate and maintain a chainsaw, with a class designed for anyone that is interested in chainsaws, at home, on the farm and beyond!

Each class is $5 for in-person participants, and pre-registration is strongly encouraged. For registration and additional information, please visit, https://chautauqua.cce.cornell.edu/agriculture/leaf-workshops.

The Agriculture 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 7, 2025