Events from CCE-Tompkins

Summer Sprouts
Wednesday, July 25, 10:00-11:00am
Ithaca Children’s Garden, Rt. 89 at Cass Park, Ithaca
Experience the wonders of gardening through stories and hands-on gardening projects, on Wednesdays through September 12. Especially for young children ages 2-5 and their caregivers. Each session includes a story, hands-on activity, and gardening in the Growing Gardens. FREE and open to the public; donations welcome. For more information, contact Leigh MacDonald-Rizzo 272-2292 x186 or email: lam26@cornell.edu.

Hydrilla Happy Hour
Wednesday July 25, 5:00-6:00pm
at Corks & More, 708 W. Buffalo Street, Ithaca
The Hydrilla Task Force of the Cayuga Lake Watershed will provide an update on the long-term response plan to combat this highly invasive plant, followed by an open conversation period. Community members will be encouraged to share information, ideas and concerns with Task Force members in an informal setting. The forums promote community input and transparency as a long-term hydrilla response plan is created. Kicked off in February, these forums will continue every fourth Wednesday of the months this summer! For more information, contact Sharon Anderson at Tompkins County Cooperative Extension, 272-2292,ska2@cornell.edu, or visit StopHydrilla.org.

Canning 101
Wednesday July 25, 6:30-9:00 pm
at Cooperative Extension Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca NY
For beginning canners, learn how to can foods safely in a boiling water bath canner. We’ll make and can Bread and Butter Zucchini Pickles, a great way to use up zucchini from your garden, and take home a jar. You’ll also learn how to can  tomatoes, fruits, and other acidic foods. This is a hands-on workshop, so space is limited.  Fee: $20 per person. Contact Carole Fisher at (607) 272-2292 or  CRF11@cornell.edu with questions or to reserve a space.

Deer Resistant Plants for Your Garden
Thursday July 26, 6:30 -8:30 pm
at Cooperative Extension Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca NY
Deer have become a major problem in gardening.  This class will feature flowers, shrubs and trees that are deer-resistant.  Tompkins County Master Gardeners have helped compile this list of easy-to-grow deer-resistant plants.  In addition, fencing and repellents will be discussed.  Pre-registration is recommended so that we can prepare a sufficient number of handouts. $5/person.  Call (607) 272-2292 to sign up, or email Pat Curran atpc21@cornell.edu with questions.

Compost with Confidence: Troubleshooting Your Bin
Saturday, July 28, 10:00-11:00am
at the NEW Compost Demonstration site, Ithaca Farmers’ Market, 545 Third Street, Itahca
Master Composter volunteers from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County provide information & hands-on demonstrations on how to set-up and manage a successful composting system. Each class covers composting basics in addition to rotating topics.  This session also addresses what could go wrong with your bin, and how to prevent / remedy the situation. Questions? Contact Mila Fournier  at (607) 272-2292 or ymf5@cornell.edu.

Homesteading & The Lost Arts
Monday-Thursday, 9:00am-4:00pm
Offered July 30-August 2 AND August 20-23
at 4-H Acres, 418 Lower Creek Road, Ithaca
Youth aged 10 to 16  will experience what it takes to develop a homestead, including building a shelter, gardening, cooking over a fire.  Arts include:  Primitive Pottery, Metal Forging/Branding, Weaving, Log Drum Making, Natural Dying, Gourd Containers and Walking Sticks. Try a little of everything!  See what life was like many many years ago.Sign up for one or both sessions.  Fee: $200 – $275 self-determined sliding scale per 4-day session.  For more information, contact Kathy Jett at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County(607) 272-2292 or klj27@cornell.edu.

Breastfeeding for the Health of It!
Monday, July 30, 10:00 am-12:00 pm  OR  6:00-8:00 pm
at Cooperative Extension Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca NY
A 6-class series for new or expectant moms! Participants receive a personal nutrition  assessment, and will learn about mother’s health, benefits of breastfeeding, how your body changes when pregnant, positioning your baby for proper latch, how to pump and store breast milk, and how to breastfeed in public. FREE for women who are eligible for WIC, Medicaid, Food Stamps or similar programs; $30 for the series for all others. Join any time – classes are ongoing and topics are repeated in the next set of workshops!  Call Tina or Stacy at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County (607) 272-2292 or email TMF8@cornell.edu to sign up.