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Community Horticulture


A program of the Cornell University Department of Horticulture Garden-Based Learning Institute
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Cornell Horticulture Webinars past and…coming soon will Soil Carbon Dynamics in Gardens

Save the date:

Tuesday, Nov 30th at 10:00 Bob Schindelbeck will present a webinar for CCE educators on the topic:

Soil Carbon Dynamics in Gardens

Lori will be emailing educators the webinar internet address or contact her for it.

Did you miss the Lawn Update for CCE Educators webinar sponsored by the Sustainable Landscape-Horticulture PWT?

To see the video recording (which is less than 1 hour) go to this site: http://vimeo.com/16543179

The video is intended for our internal CCE network of educators (including volunteers) so it is so to access it you will need the password which you can get by emailing Lori. Educators my preference would be for you to ask me then share the password with your volunteers verses having your volunteers email me all separately.

See what you missed on October 4th.

Share this link with your green industry and volunteer stakeholders (no password needed):

http://vimeo.com/user3608023

2010 Growing Season Wrap up

Presented by Dawn Dailey O’Brien, Editor – Branching Out, Cornell University Department of Plant Pathology

This session will review and discuss the environmental conditions, and related insect and disease landscape pests (and their management) that were prevalent in the 2010 growing season. The primary audience for this session is NYS green industry professionals. CCE Master Gardener Volunteers and gardeners might find the information useful as well but note that some materials mentioned may only be for use by DEC certified pesticide applicators not do it yourself lawn and landscape gardeners.

Fall is for Planting

Presented by Dr Nina Bassuk, Cornell University Department of Horticulture & Urban Horticulture Institute.

This session will review and update the proper planting practices critical for the healthy, pest-free establishment of landscape ornamental woody plants. The primary audience for this session is NYS green industry professionals. CCE Master Gardener Volunteers and gardeners might find the information useful as well but note that some materials mentioned may only be for use by DEC certified pesticide applicators not do it yourself lawn and landscape gardeners.

http://vimeo.com/user3608023

Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinators Discussion

Extension Master Gardener (EMG) Coordinators-

Save the date for the 1st EMG Coordinator’s Online Discussion: An opportunity to discuss program and volunteer management ideas, issues, concerns.

Hosted by the Consumer Horticulture National Committee.

Who?

  • State and County Extension Master Gardener Coordinators.

What?

  • Discuss program and volunteer management ideas, issues, concerns.

Discussion items for 11-17

1. EMG Coordinator’s group and listserves-what and who are they for?
2. Volunteer management in the age of restructuring and cut-backs:
What do you do to manage master gardener volunteers in counties that are eliminating or scaling back their extension presence?
What if the county office closes completely?
What if there is suddenly one multi-county consumer horticulture agent instead of an agent in every county?
What role do volunteer leaders play?

When and Where?

  • Nov. 17 @ 2pm ET (1 pm CT, 12 pm MT, 11 pm PT)

To attend a meeting simply go to our on-line meeting space at http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/hortcop/, enter as a guest, and provide your name and what state you are from in the provided box. When you are in the system you will see instructions for having the system call your phone (or you may need to place a call to the system if your phone is on a line extension–instructions are provided as well as a help number if you encounter problems)

We had many great discussions at the national Extension Master Gardener coordinators conference at UC Davis and hope we can continue on the same track via these online discussions.

Best Regards,
CHNC

Monica David

Illinois Master Gardener Coordinator
CHNC Chairperson
1007 Plant Sciences Lab

1201 Dorner Drive

Urbana, IL. 61801

217-265-5256

Fax- 217-244-3469

Managing Landscapes Sustainably

Registration Brochure pdf

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County presents:

Managing Landscapes Sustainably

Friday, November 19th, 2010

Holiday Inn, 3845 Veteran’s Memorial Highway, Ronkonkoma, NY

8:00 – 4:30pm

This full-day conference addresses topics that will appeal to the “green-minded” landscape professional.  Landscapers, arborists, landscape designers, turf managers, landscape architects, and anyone else interested in sustainable land management throughout Long Island and beyond are invited to attend.  Attached is the registration brochure.  For more information, contact LML10@cornell.edu DEC, 3.5 ISA, 5 LA, and 6 CNLP credits available

Come learn ways to make the horticulture industry greener!

Lecture Descriptions

Managing Landscapes Sustainably?  Understand and Incorporate DEC Regulations into your Business Practices

Joyce Rodler, NY State Department of Environmental Conservation

This presentation focuses on DEC regulations as they relate to sustainable landscape management.  Minimum-risk, reduced-risk, and bio-pesticides may be better for the environment, but they are still subject to DEC oversight.  Rodler will show how maintaining accurate pesticide-use records, proper commercial lawn application contracts, and pesticide certifications can be incorporated into your everyday business practices.  Rodler will also discuss common mistakes and pitfalls to avoid.

Rain Gardens – Collecting and Conserving Water in the Landscape

Michael Veracka, Dept. of Ornamental Horticulture, Farmingdale State College

We take water in the landscape for granted, but prolonged drought and frequent flooding help us realize how vital and powerful this resource really is.  There are certain ways we can sustainably manage water in the landscape.  Veracka will discuss how to design with water retention and preservation in mind, by exploring rainwater harvesting and on-site infiltration techniques.  By improving infiltration, we can avoid harmful runoff of fertilizers and pesticides into our surface waters and also reduce the incidence of soil-borne pathogens.  Veracka will also discuss what plants work well in these systems and how to avoid common problems.

Biological Products to Enhance Plant Performance

Gary Harman PhD, Dept. of Horticulture, Cornell University

You probably have heard of mycorrhizae, but did you know that there are other beneficial soil fungi and bacteria too?  Dr. Harman will discuss the science behind some of the newest green products on the market.  Some fungi, especially those in the genus Trichoderma, have been successfully used as bio-control agents to control plant diseases.  Evidence is stacking-up that these organisms also have the ability to alleviate abiotic stresses such as drought and salt, and that they can markedly enhance plant nitrogen uptake.  Dr. Harman will help you gain an understanding of truly green alternatives that can be successfully incorporated into your IPM program.

For the Birds and Bees – Landscaping for Wildlife in the Backyard Habitat

Robert Alvey, US Environmental Protection Agency & Garden City Bird Sanctuary

Attracting birds, wildlife, and pollinators to the garden is good not just for the environment, but also for your clients, their children, and your business.  Rob Alvey will discuss the importance of and how to increase the habitat value of a landscape.  Using the Garden City Bird Sanctuary as a back-drop, Rob will show how certain landscape enhancements provide animals’ basic necessities.  He will discuss which plants are especially attractive to birds, wildlife, and pollinators, the cultural requirements of those plants, common pest problems encountered, and how to manage those problems using a sound, IPM approach.

Bigger is Better – Using Soil Assessments to Estimate Street Tree Growth

Julia Bartens, Dept. of Forest Resources & Environmental Conservation, Virginia Tech

Trees provide many environmental benefits, from temperature modification to cleaning our air, and the larger the tree, the more environmental benefits provided.  Yet many street tree planting sites do not provide sufficient resources for trees to grow to their full potential.  Bartens will discuss how soil properties influence tree development, and which ones are most important for adequate tree growth in street tree settings.  Bartens will emphasize that soil measurement techniques should be incorporated into urban planting site assessments.

Phosphoman and the Bug-Free Kids – Learning to Cope With the Ins and Outs of New Legislation on Phosphorous and School Grounds Maintenance

Tamson Yeh PhD, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County

This lecture will focus on two important new laws that impact fertilization and pest control of plantings at all sites, and specifically on school grounds.  With the new state-wide ban of pesticide use on school grounds and athletic fields, pre-season preparation and an IPM approach are more important than ever before.  Tamson will show how you can modify your plan of attack for pests and cultural controls, in order to have high quality results with ornamentals and turf for the 2011 season and beyond.

Alexis Alvey

Nursery & Landscape Specialist

ISA Certified Arborist #NY-5539A

Visit the Nursery & Landscape Program Webpage!

registration form here

Extension Professional in Cornell Department of Horticulture

To Apply for this Position Go to: https://cornellu.taleo.net/careersection/10168/jobdetail.ftl?lang=en&job=224350

Temp Serv Prof-13701

Job Description

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Temp Service Professional

Department of Horticulture

The Cornell Garden-Based Learning Program is the public outreach effort for the Department of Horticulture and as such carries out an important aspect of the land grant mission.  Our efforts to provide a range of gardening resources and projects distributed to Cornell Cooperative Extension educators and Master Gardener Volunteers as well as many public audiences inclusive of children through adults through conferences, workshops, professional development training’s, and via our program website.

This position will focus on gathering, editing, organizing and writing content rich with research based knowledge for a lawns, gardens and landscapes inquiry response system through collaborative efforts with county educators and volunteers as well as the national extension.org effort.  The work will include identifying how to use extension.org tools to create a locally-adaptable inquiry response system that will support CCE educators and Master Gardener Volunteers’ efforts to consistently and  accurately address habitual questions, while increasing time available to attend to more critical emerging issues. Developing and implementing professional development  training tools for CCE educators and volunteers will also be part of this effort.  Work on related garden-based learning and extension.org projects as needed. This work is primarily independent with little supervision over regular responsibilities and constant deadlines.    Travel around NYS on average a couple times per month;  This is a 10 month term appointment.

Job Qualifications

  • Bachelors Degree or equivalent.
  • Excellent interpersonal skill, oral ans written communication skills required.
  • Extensive research based knowledge in horticulture, gardening and related fields necessary.
  • Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
  • Ability  to work independent with little supervision
  • Valid driver’s license required.

Cornell University, located in Ithaca, New York, is an inclusive, dynamic, and innovative Ivy League university and New York’s land-grant institution. Its staff, faculty, and students impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas and best practices to further the university’s mission of teaching, research, and outreach.

Cornell University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer.

View the job on-line. For additional information about employment at Cornell University please contact the Recruitment and Employment Center (607) 254-8370, TTY (607) 255-4943.

Thank you for considering employment at Cornell

*Disclaimer: Cornell University and Taleo shall not be liable for the content or any errors or omissions in the information provided in the Comments section, and conclusions drawn from such information are the responsibility of the user.

A tree grows in Brooklyn — but with help: Project aims to enlist volunteer tree stewards in the Big Apple

From the Cornell’s ChronicleOnline
By Susan Lang

Trees not only can help improve mood, concentration and the ability to recover from illness but also can help reduce stress, promote a sense of community and perhaps even help deter crime, report various studies. They also benefit communities by helping to reduce energy costs, decelerate climate change, manage storm water and increase property values.

Trees are so important for the health and well-being of New York City residents, their communities and environment that Cornell University Cooperative Extension-NYC (CUCE-NYC) and Cornell’s Department of Natural Resources have joined forces in a pilot program to provide urban forest education workshops in Jamaica, Queens, and Canarsie, Brooklyn.

The goal is to enlist residents and organizations to become stewards of their community’s trees and, ultimately, to develop resources to help groups around the country do the same, says CUCE-NYC senior extension associate Gretchen Ferenz, who co-leads the project.

full article click here

Natural Areas Steward, Cornell Plantations

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Natural Areas Steward, Cornell Plantations

Within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell Plantations

is the arboretum, botanical garden, and natural areas of Cornell

University. Our mission is to preserve and enhance diverse horticultural

collections and natural areas for the enrichment and education of the

academic community and the general public, and in support of scientific

research.

Plantations’ Natural Areas Program is the steward of 4000 acres of

biologically diverse ecosystems in central New York. Our holdings are

among the five largest systems of natural areas associated with public

gardens in North America. To support research and teaching at Cornell and

beyond, Plantations manages a diverse group of preserves that represent

the full range of ecological habitats found in the Finger Lakes region.

We are seeking a Natural Areas Steward who will, under the direction of

the Natural Areas Director, assist in the oversight of all aspects of the

site management, restoration, and protection of Plantations on- and

off-campus natural areas in support of Plantations’ mission.  As a member

of the stewardship crew, assist in determining management needs, make

recommendations, develop work plans and schedules, and coordinate and

execute stewardship activities and special projects. Implement programs

for site monitoring, invasive species control, and nuisance wildlife

abatements.  Use accepted Natural Areas management techniques to promote

the desired conditions particular to each ecological community or native

species. Collect natural resource information, and use GIS/GPS to monitor

sites, species, or other conditions. Participate in Plantations programs

to protect rare and scarce native plants in Natural Areas, propagate

native plants of local genotypes, and restore them to protected habitats.

Evaluate trail conditions, report hazards, conduct trail maintenance, and

respond to emergency alerts from users. Provide general support and

technical expertise for preserve educational uses and participate in

Plantations’ educational programs. Work with interns, volunteers, student

workers, and other Plantations staff as a member of the natural areas

stewardship crew.  Ensure that work is conducted in a safe manner.

Substantial manual labor is involved requiring physical fitness, awareness

of safety issues, and proper use of pesticides.  This position is

full-time (39 hours) for eight months, and part-time (20 hours) for four

months.

Required Qualifications:

*   Associates degree in natural resources, conservation or related

field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. 1-3 years

of relevant experience required.

*   Possess and maintain a valid NYS Certified Pesticide Applicator’s

license or obtain within one year of appointment.

*   Possess and maintain appropriate certifications to participate in

prescribed burn management program, or obtain certification within one

year of appointment.

*   Knowledge of and skill with GIS/GPS equipment, and good computer skills.

*   Be able to work in a team environment as well as independently to

accomplish required tasks and achieve departmental objectives.

*   Be personable and flexible, possess excellent organizational and

communication skills, and take pride in work.

*   Be able to develop effective working relationships with a variety of

people.

*   Be aware of Natural Areas concerns, conservation methods and

protocols, and be sensitive to Natural Areas preservation and wildlife

control issues.

*   Know plant nomenclature and be able to identify a wide range of

native and naturalized herbaceous and woody plants. Know natural

ecological communities and native plants associated with community types.

*   Know invasive plant species issues, and be able to implement

treatments for control. Must be willing to work with pesticides and chemicals.

*   Have experience in the safe operation and use of equipment such as

front deck mower, flail and hand mower, tractor, brush hog, string

trimmer and chainsaw.

*   Possess and maintain NYS driver’s license.

*   Be physically capable of performing the functions associated with

this position, and willing to work under varying climatic conditions

(heat, cold, precipitation, etc.).

*   Be able to report to work outside of the regularly scheduled shift

to address Plantations’ time-sensitive operational and/or snow-removal

needs, to assist with departmental emergencies, or to deal with issues of

public safety.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, conservation or related field

strongly preferred.

Primary Location-Ithaca

HR Contact Name-Alisa Gardner<mailto:acg4@cornell.edu>

Minimum Hire Rate-$16.43

The full job announcement and application instructions can be found

at  http://www.hr.cornell.edu/jobs/positions.html on the Bargaining Unit

Positions page.

Todd Bittner

Natural Areas Director, Cornell Plantations

(607) 255-9638

(607) 592-2256 cell

www.cornellplantations.org<http://www.cornellplantations.org/>

2011 INTERNATIONAL MASTER GARDENER SEARCH FOR EXCELLENCE

2011 Search for Excellence award applications and guidelines are now available. I have attached these documents to this email but they will also be posted very soon on the eXtension MG website at http://www.extension.org/pages/IMG_Search_for_Excellence

The Search for Excellence program is the recognition program to honor the work done by Master Gardeners in the USA and Canada. I know each and every one of you has deserving projects in your states. Please pass this information on to the local MG Coordinators. The IMGC is hoping for a great response and we hope to have lots of great programs nominated for these awards.

Applications are due by Feb 1, 2011.

Awards will be given out at the International Master Gardener Conference in Charleston, West Virginia October 11-14, 2011.

PMEP ANNOUNCES NEW PIMS WEB SITE AVAILABLE

The Cornell Pest Management Education Program is happy to announce there is a new website for the NYS

Pesticide Product, Ingredient and Manufacturer System (PIMS): http://pims.psur.cornell.edu/.

PIMS is a collection of data applications that primarily serve as an on-line pesticide product information source for

New York State. There are currently four applications that make up PIMS — currently registered products, archived

products, pest and site code searches, and a download application for local use. The data used in these applications are

provided by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The “old” PIMS website will eventually

go away, but for now, it will be updated along with our new site for a brief period of time.

History

The initial development of PIMS began in 1981 with Cornell University receiving funding for two years from the

United States Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Pesticide Impact Assessment Program (NAPIAP).

The initial objective was to establish a northeast regional pesticide information system. The northeast system was to

be a complete pesticide information network utilizing product registration information from each state within the

northeast; however, it was decided by the funding agency in 1983 that a national system could provide the necessary

electronic pesticide information as easily as a regional system. The Pesticide Management Education Program

(PMEP), working with other university staff, continued to program the software in INFO, a data file management

language, on a PRIME 400 computer and, in 1983, released PIMS for New York State. PIMS has undergone significant

changes over the years and is now programmed in FileMaker 9.0 with enhancements and data links to relevant

information. It is the primary source of keeping the regulated community informed of pesticide registrations within

the state.

NYS PIMS Products Database

The PIMS Products Database contains information for pesticide products currently or previously registered in New

York State with NYSDEC. Select a report:

EPA Reg. Number

This search allows you to find products by their EPA Registration Number. (See also Special/Pending Registrations

below for additional products.)

Product/Label Name

This search allows you to find products by their label name, trade name, or brand name, or a portion thereof. There

are often many different names and name variations for the same product. (See also Special/Pending Registrations

below for additional products.)

T

New York Berry News, Vol. 9, No. 9 – 5 – Tree Fruit & Berry Pathology, NYSAES

Active Ingredient

There are two searches on this page. The first returns active ingredient codes based on (partial) ingredient name and

ingredient synonyms for the given name or code. The second returns products containing an active ingredient,

specified by code number, optionally restricted by use or type. (See also Special/Pending Registrations below for

additional products).

Company / Distributor / Payor

A Company Number (the first component of the EPA Registration Number) search will provide a list of those products

that are registered or were previously registered with the EPA and New York State for a particular company. A

Distributor Number (the third component, if present, of the EPA Registration Number) search will provide a list of

those products being distributed by a company. A Payor Number search will provide a list of all products for which a

company has paid the NYS registration fee. (See also Special/Pending Registrations below for additional products).

Custom Search

This search allows you to query the database using a variety of criteria. (See also Special/Pending Registrations below

for additional products.)

Special/Pending Registrations

This allows you to search for the following:

• “Special Local Need” Products (SLNs)

• “Experimental Use Products” (EUPs)

• 2(ee) Recommendations

• NYS Emergency Exemptions (FIFRA Section 18s)

• Pending New Active Ingredients (NAI) and Major Change in Labeling (MCL)

Note: These NYS pesticide product registration data are intended for information purposes only. If you are

concerned about the status of a product, please contact the NYS DEC before purchase, distribution, sale, or use. Some

products may show a renewal date that has passed. These products are in the re-registration process and continue to

be registered pending a re-registration decision. Information contained in the database is updated approximately

every week.

Acknowledgments: The following people have contributed to the development of PIMS: Dr. Harold Wilson, Dr. John Barnard,

William Smith, Chet Brion, Frank F. Smith, and Robert Warfield.

CCE Educators November 2010 In-Service

The Annual November Agriculture and Food Systems In-service

November 15-18, 2010

at the Clarion Hotel

1 Sheridan Drive, Ithaca NY 14850

607 257 2000

To get all the correct details on the Horticulture track go to this link and open the pdf:

http://blogs.cce.cornell.edu/conferences/sustainable-landscapes-horticulture/

also see this word document for details on the complimentary Greenhouse PWT track: GreenhousePWT_NovInservice2010

And register here:

https://cceconferences.wufoo.com/forms/2010-agriculture-food-systems-inservice/

(note: our Horticulture Track runs Tuesday through Thursday and on Wednesday evening (5:30 to 7:00) we are having our Sustainable Landscape-Hortiuctre PWT meeting we want you all to attend – there will be light fare & beverages)

If there is some barrier to you attending this professional development opportunity please contact Lori Bushway or Rick Harper as we need to know so we can better address the need to keep all our CCE horticulture educators informed on emerging issues and core knowledge & skills.

Entomology Extension Faculty: Dr. Linda S. Rayor

From: Dr. Linda S. Rayor, Department of Entomology,

I would like to introduce myself.  I will be working with 4-H through the Department of Entomology at Cornell.  My specialties are in animal behavior, especially the behavior of spiders.  My research is on very cool, very large social spiders from Australia.  I organized Cornell University’s Department of Entomology’s first Insectapalooza in 2004, more or less single handedly.  Every year, I have hosted the large Arthropod Zoo at Insectapalooza.  In addition, for 13 years I have run the Naturalist Outreach Speakers Bureau which sends Cornell undergraduates and graduate students into classrooms, nature centers, and community groups to give free lively presentations about biology, ecology, and conservation.  Naturalist Outreach students and I have spoken to 1300 different groups to about 31,000 people since the program’s inception.  Realistically, I can only send students into classrooms within 45 minutes to 1-hour from Cornell during Fall semesters, but if you are within that distance please take a look at my Naturalist website below.  We can almost always accommodate groups that visit Cornell.

This year, Insectapalooza will be bigger and better than ever.  The event takes place at Cornell on 23 October between 9 to 3pm.  Enjoy this rare opportunity to view the fascinating world of insects up close and personal. Filled with family-friendly and hands-on activities. Experience  the live arthropod zoo, live butterfly room, learn the latest in insect biology, educational games, and more.  It is very suitable for 4-H students of all ages, from kids to adults.  Free.  Curricula and science-inquiry questions will be posted online.  (Insectapalooza: http://www.entomology.cornell.edu/cals/entomology/news/insectapalooza.cfm ). Park on campus.  Buses should park in the C-lot/ Crescent just above the Stadium.

I am looking forward to working with you and with 4-H members.

Best, Linda Rayor

Dr. Linda S. Rayor,

Department of Entomology,

Cornell University,

Ithaca, NY 14853,

LSR1@cornell.edu

607 255-8406 (o)/ 255-9392 (L)

Research: http://www.entomology.cornell.edu/cals/entomology/research/rayor/

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