Registration Now Open for 3rd Annual Gardening Symposium

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (March 7, 2025) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Master Gardener Program is excited to announce that registration is now open for the 3rd Annual Gardening Symposium, scheduled for Saturday, May 3rd, at Jamestown Community College, Carnahan Center, 241 James Avenue, Jamestown, NY. Gardening enthusiasts, teachers and nature lovers are all encouraged to participate in this day of learning focused on native herbs and plants, pollinators, habitat protection and the joys of gardening with children.

The symposium begins at 8:00am and ends at 12:45pm and will feature two keynote speakers and a panel of teachers who manage successful school garden programs. Both keynote speakers have experience and a passion for gardening which is sure to captivate and motivate all attendees.

• Sarah Sorci, of Sweet Flag Herbs, an herbal educator, writer, and therapeutic gardening facilitator will discuss Native Herbs for the Home Garden. Her talk will focus on growing native and perennial herbs and ancestral connections through the plant world.
• Sally Cunningham, horticulturist, author, and popular speaker will discuss pollinator plants, habitat protection and healthy soil, plants, and trees.
• The workshop will end with a panel of Jamestown Public School teachers who have created and maintained successful school garden programs. In addition to the panel presentation there will be a question-and-answer session about gardening with children.

In addition to the presentations there will be gardening displays, multiple garden-themed door prizes, morning hospitality and plenty of opportunities to network with fellow gardeners.

Early registration is encouraged and interested participants can register online at https://chautauqua.cce.cornell.edu/events/2025/05... by phone at 716-664-9502 Ext. 203, or stop by CCE Chautauqua. The general workshop fee is $25, but for Master Gardeners from any county, $15. After April 25th, registration for general admission is $30 with $20 for Master Gardeners.

The Master Gardener 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