Cornell Cooperative Extension Community Horticulture

Minutes (pdf)

Handouts.

lawn care results (doc)

MGV training 2008 and 2009 (doc) If you are also training or thinking of it please fyi Lori.
Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Community Horticulture Program Work Team creates opportunities for CCE educators and Master Gardener Volunteers to connect with research-based knowledge, emerging horticulture issues as well as Cornell University’s faculty, staff, departments and programs. As a network we work to improve the quality of life of individuals, families and communities throughout NYS by using gardening success as a tool for increasing environmental and scientific literacy, building community and promoting human well-being.

From National Gardening Association Editors

February 14, 2008

Zinnias are one of the easiest annual flowers to grow in the garden, and they come in many sizes, shapes, and colors — from pure white to deep red. Now gardeners have a beautiful new apricot color to add to the mix.

‘Apricot Blush’ zinnia (Zinnia elegans ‘Apricot Blush’) has double flowers 3 to 4 inches in diameter that bloom from midsummer until frost in shades of apricot and salmon. The flowers have 3- to 4-foot-long, sturdy stems, making them ideal as cut flowers. Another plus is ‘Apricot Blush’ is tolerant of powdery mildew, which is a problem with many types of zinnias.

For more information about ‘Apricot Blush’ zinnias, go to:Renee’s Garden.

From National Gardening Association Columnist Kathy Bond Borie…

It takes a giant leap of faith (or a good sense of humor) to look outside at the heavy snowfall and think “This would be a good time to make my seed-starting calendar.” But it is the perfect time. It takes planning to start seeds indoors at the right time so they’ll be at the optimum size for transplanting when warm weather arrives.

Part of the reason for making a list and a schedule is so we don’t inadvertently forget to start some seeds early enough or start others too early. The weeks fly by so fast that … whoosh, suddenly it’s the end of April and I’m wondering “Where did I put those packets of columbine seeds that I should have started weeks ago?” The other reason I like making a calendar is that it creates the illusion that I’m really organized and will have things under control this year, unlike last year.

Read Kathy’s full column with details about making your calendar at:

http://www.garden.org/regional/report/arch/inmygarden/2702

For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Yancey Roy
Wednesday, January 30, 2008 (518) 492-8000

BAT DIE-OFF PROMPTS INVESTIGATION

DEC Asks For Cavers’ Help to Prevent Spread of “White Nose Syndrome”

Thousands of hibernating bats are dying in caves in New York and Vermont from unknown causes, prompting an investigation by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), as well as wildlife agencies and researchers around the nation.

The most obvious symptom involved in the die-off is a white fungus encircling the noses of some, but not all, of the bats. Called “white nose syndrome,” the fungus is believed to be associated with the problem, but it may not necessarily contribute to the actual cause of death. It appears that the impacted bats deplete their fat reserves months before they would normally emerge from hibernation, and die as a result.

Until researchers understand the cause and how it is spread, state environmental officials and caving organizations are asking people not to enter caves or mines with bats until further notice to avoid the possible transfer of the disease from cave to cave. Vermont officials are making a similar request.

“What we have seen so far is unprecedented,’’ said Alan Hicks, DEC’s bat specialist. “Most bat researchers would agree that this is the gravest threat to bats they have ever seen. We have bat researchers, laboratories and caving groups across the country working to understand the cause of the problem and ways to contain it. Until we know more, we are asking people to stay away from known bat caves.”

Bat biologists across the country are evaluating strategies to monitor the presence of the disease and collect specimens for laboratory analysis. Biologists are taking precautions – using sanitary clothing and respirators when entering caves — to avoid spreading the disease in the process.

Bat populations are particularly vulnerable during hibernation as they congregate in large numbers in caves – in clusters of 300 per square foot in some locations — making them susceptible to disturbance or disease. The vast majority of the hundreds of thousands of bats known to hibernate in New York do so in just five caves and mines. Because bats migrate as far as hundreds of miles to their summer range, impacts to hibernating bats can have significant implications for bats throughout the Northeast.

Indiana bats, a state and federally endangered species, are perhaps the most vulnerable. Half the estimated 52,000 Indiana bats that hibernate in New York are located in just one former mine – a mine that is now infected with white nose syndrome. Eastern pipistrelle, northern long-eared and little brown bats are also dying. Little brown bats, the most common hibernating species in the state, have sustained the largest number of deaths.

DEC has been working closely with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Northeast Cave Conservancy and the National Speleological Society, along with other researchers from universities and other government agencies. DEC will provide updates as they become available.

Pre-tested living sculptures in several counties informed the web-based guide below. We are particularly pleased with the creativity and range of activities, and with the videos for inspiration. Now we need educators to help us fine tune! After pilot testing and receiving your feedback, we’ll officially release the site to the public in July ‘08:

http://www.hort.cornell.edu/livingsculpture

This word doc defines “pilot testing” and addresses how you can receive funds to do so.

Any questions? Ready to pilot test? Please contact Christine Hadekel for further guidance, and with your completed form: ch459@cornell.edu

Put a little spice in your garden botany training session with your new and active Master Gardener Volunteers with this Jeopardy game created by our talented Anna Snider in Westchester County CCE

She says in her last training:

It was a lot of fun and the MGVs loved it. The icing on the cake was that we borrowed some buzzers from 4-H so we could tell who buzzed in first!

Get the PowerPoint Garden Botany Jeopardy here. You must enable macros to get the buttons and sound to work. Go to tools, options, security and then macro security. Set it to medium and restart PowerPoint.

Anyone else created a jeopardy training tool or any other clever activity. Please share. Lori

Programs are held at the Agroforestry Resource Center located at 6055 Route 23 in Acra, New York. Pre-registration is required for all programs by calling Cornell Cooperative Extension 518-622-9820 or emailing greene@cornell.edu

Project Bud Break

Date: Saturday, March 8 Registration deadline: March 6

Time: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Cost: Free

Presenter: David Weinstein Assistant Research Scientist Cornell

Climate change is bringing warmer temperatures to this region. These changes are undoubtedly already accelerating the timing of the spring opening of flower buds and leaves, the summer growth of fruits, and potentially delaying the autumn coloring and drop of leaves, events called “plant phenology.” These shifts in timing could greatly affect the local survival of many native plant populations by disrupting their needed synchronicity with pollinating insects. The range of these plant populations may be rapidly advancing northward. Associated with a national effort, a network of citizen scientists, established through Cornell University, observes the timing of flowering, leaf development, fruiting, and leaf drop in populations of common native trees and herbaceous species. This program will explain how to become a part of this study including learning about the individual plants we will be monitoring and a web site that will help observers understand how to enter their data on the timing of important plant events through the growing season.

Invasive Species and Gardening

Date: Wednesday, March 19 Registration deadline: March 17

Time: 11:00 a.m. Cost: Free

Presented by: Ben Murdock, Catskill Center for Conservation and Development

Join members of the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP) for an informative presentation and discussion on the threat of invasive species in the Catskills and this partnership’s current and ongoing efforts to prevent them. Join us to learn more about existing and encroaching plant and animal invaders, and learn what you can do to stop or limit their spread. This talk is designed with gardeners in mind, and will cover invasive ornamental and garden plants, removal and replacement options, as well as various other plants, pests, and pathogens that pose a threat to habitat and biodiversity in our region and beyond.

For more information about our programs and the Agroforestry Resource Center,
check out our website! http://agroforestrycenter.org

FLIER (word doc)

Update on Invasive Insects and Pests of Ornamentals and Forests: What’s New?

• Monday, March 10th 8-5pm. See full schedule and registration information (pdf)

Bug’s World! An Insect Event for Parents and Children

• Sunday March 9th 1-5pm. See details (pdf).

Saturday April 12 in Ithaca, NY
135 Emerson Hall, Cornell University

Working Lands: An Agroforestry Sampler

Learn how to:
- Combine trees and shrubs with crops and/or livestock to diversify products, markets, and farm income;
- Improve soil and water quality while reducing erosion and non-point source pollution and enhancing wildlife habitats;
- Benefit from using multi-cropping, multi-story practices, including silvopasture, forest farming, riparian buffers, alley cropping, windbreaks, and other agroforestry practices.

Who should attend:
Farmers, forest and land owners, fruit and nut growers, conservation, environmental and agricultural agencies, non-profits, and interested individuals will gain valuable information for enhancing land and water stewardship and increasing farm viability.

This workshop will provide an overview of agroforestry practices and also the Root Production Method as applied to agroforestry with specific case studies highlighting the environmental and economic benefits of agroforestry to the landowner or farmer. Agroforestry research from the Center of Agroforestry and others will provide updates on current findings and future research initiatives. Presentations and a tour of the Cornell MacDaniels Nut Grove will showcase the opportunities for forest farming in New York and the Northeast.

Dr. Harold “Gene” Garrett, Director, University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry (UMCA), and Wayne Lovelace, Developer of the Root Production Method (RPM), and Partner of RPM Ecosystems LLC, will offer their hands-on experiences and the latest research on a wide array of agroforestry practices.

Sponsored by RPM Ecosystems LLC, Cornell Agroforestry Resource Center, Cornell Agroforestry and Private Woodland Management Program Work Team, and the Cornell Ecoagriculture Working Group, University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry, Chemung Canal Trust Company

Registration $95; Student rate $75
Fee includes morning refreshment, lunch, conference packet and resource materials.

For more info: RPM Ecosystems (607)844-9590; info@rpmecosystems.com; or www.rpmecosystems.com

Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Livingston County Cornell Cooperative Extension, 158 Main Street, Mt Morris, NY
1 pm-3 pm
So You Want to Be a Berry Farmer?
Cornell Berry Extension Support Specialist Cathy Heidenreich from the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Ithaca will present a program on berry growing on Tuesday, February 26 at the Cornell Cooperative Extension building in Mt Morris from 1 to 3pm.
The program will point out the keys to successful commercial and non-commercial berry farming including marketing, startup costs, site selection, preparation and layout, cultivar selection and planting, crop production and management, labor, and profitability. Strawberries, brambles, blueberries, currants and gooseberries will be included in discussions. Topics include nutrient management, weed, insect and disease management, trellising, irrigation and more. Printed materials are included in the presentation and production guides for brambles, highbush blueberries and strawberries will be available to examine for ordering.

There is no fee, but registration is suggested to assure notification of any change in scheduling. Phone 585-658-3250 for registration or questions.