A bookbinding class held as part of the Murray L. Bob Education Initiatives

The James Prendergast Library will present a photography class in May as part of the Murray L. Bob Community Education Initiative.

Local photographer and Infinity instructor Cathy Panebianco will lead “Artistic Photos with Just a Smartphone” at 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 9 at the library. The class will offer participants an opportunity to improve cellphone photography skills by learning the basics: settings, techniques, lighting for exposure, and composition.

A smartphone is needed for the class. To register, call (716) 484-7135 Ext. 226.

The Jamestown Public Market will be at the library with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s SNAP-Ed program on May 16th from 5:00-7:00PM for “Cooking Fun with Fresh Herbs.” Attendees will learn how to grow herbs at home, identify them at the local community garden or nursery, and incorporate them in to easy and delicious meals. Participants will be able to smell, taste, and enjoy various herbs that grow well in WNY such as cilantro, sage, parsley, and basil. This program is supported in part through a grant from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

Additional Bob programs are scheduled throughout the year. Children’s Music Studio will hold Music Exploration classes in July and August for kids ages 6 and under and their caregivers. Children will sing, dance, and explore basic instruments during these free classes.

To learn more about the Murray L. Bob Community Education Initiative and find a full list of events, visit prendergastlibrary.org/bob-programs.

Andy Goodell

State Assemblyman Andy Goodell wants more fiscal restraint in the state budget than what Governor Hochul has proposed.

Kathy Hochul presented her $277 billion spending plan Wednesday that increases spending by $5 billion over the current financial year’s budget.

Goodell said with Federal funds related to the Pandemic drying up, state lawmakers need to look at how to make New York more efficient and less expensive for residents. He said while there are not general tax increases in the proposed budget, he was disappointed with the carbon tax proposed that he says will affect everyone, “Because one of the largest generators of carbon emissions in New York State are the utility companies, including here in Jamestown. And so Jamestown is already paying over $2 million surcharge to help support clean energy and that’s coming right out the pocket of all Jamestown BPU customers. And her proposal would increase those expenses by an estimated billion dollars statewide.”

Goodell said he thought the increase to mental health services was a positive move, and hopes the increase in funding for housing mental health patients is approved.

He also was encouraged by Hochul’s budgetary plans for public safety, including gun violence, “In the category of addressing violence, she included $84 million for Youth Employment programs, which I think is good because the more youth are involved in positive activities, particularly ones that give them job experience, the less likely they’ll resort to gang violence.”

Goodell hopes that the 10% increase in school aid in addition to the full funding of Foundation Aid to school districts will result in tax decreases.

In terms of AIM, or the Aid and Incentives to municipalities program, Goodell thinks funding should increase given that it had been frozen or even decreased 12 years ago.

During the budget process over the next two months, Goodell will be advocating for funding for the 2-1-1 program and support for the Cornell Cooperative Extension program.

Goodell said he and State Senator George Borrello made specific requests for increases in funding for lake maintenance and for the Jefferson Project, “Which is an amazing project with both public and private funding to do a very, very detailed scientific analysis of harmful algal blooms. And that data would be helpful for every lake in the state.”

Goodell added he’s also hoping the $100 million budgeted for transformational hospital construction funds will include money for the new Brooks Memorial Hospital construction in Fredonia.

The Chautauqua Center

Volunteers helped assemble the backpacks filled with school supplies that will be given away at TCC’s Community Picnic Events as well as for every school district in the county.

The TCC Community Picnics will be held 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Monday, August 8 in Dunkirk at the Salvation Army located at 704 Central Avenue. The Jamestown picnic will be held 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 9 at Jackson-Taylor Park on Washington Street.

The free picnic events have been rebranded this year with an emphasis on healthy eating and active lifestyle. They will include food, music, bounce houses, and children’s games. New this year is the addition of the Jamestown Public Market’s Mobile Market that will offer free produce to attendees as well as food demos by Cornell Cooperative Extension, recipes, and information on SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks promotions that make eating fresh foods more affordable.

TCC also will provide free health screenings and education, and onsite clinical providers including pediatricians and nutritionists who can help answer questions for parents about healthy eating and preventative care.

To receive a backpack, students must have a family member or caregiver over the age of 18 present. All ages are welcome to attend the community event and take advantage of the education and giveaways available to all.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, a highly contagious, fatal, flu-like disease of poultry, has been spreading across the state since February. Cornell Cooperative Extension said in a release that as of April 19, New York has seen the disease in 8 domestic flocks: One commercial, one captive wild birds, and the remainder were backyard flocks. Over 10,000 birds have died or have been euthanized.

These positive cases started in the eastern region of the state but have moved westward over the spring season.

In March, the State Ag Department announced the state would proactively ban all live fowl shows and exhibitions. This meant that fairs, public hatching events, fowl shows, and other events like them would not be allowed until further notice. This ban was expanded April 14 to include all fowl auctions and other events where people can purchase, sell, swap, or trade fowl. The reasoning behind this update was the same as the original notice from March: to limit the congregation of poultry from different farms and homesteads to reduce the spread of disease. At this time, the ban does not include individual farms selling poultry, farm supply stores, chicks being shipped into the state from hatcheries, poultry processors that operate under a 5A or USDA Exemption, or live bird markets.

While both bans are in place until further notice, the situation will be re-evaluated at the end of May.
In the meantime, it’s important that poultry owners remain on high alert for any unusual illness or deaths in their poultry flocks.

Any suspicious illness can be reported to the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets by calling 518-457-3502 or contacting the Cornell Cooperative Extension Office in Chautauqua County at 716-664-9502.

Cornell Cooperative Extension said highly pathogenic avian influenza is a serious, fatal disease of poultry that, since the beginning of the year, has been identified in over 350 wild birds in 20 states, including New York.

New York has also had 3 cases of Avian flu to date in backyard poultry flocks, which resulted in the death of 268 birds.

Cornell Cooperative Extension said one way the public an help protect domestic poultry flocks is to take down wild bird feeders. While the disease is mostly carried by wild waterfowl, research has shown that other wild bird populations can carry it too, especially if they share nesting and feeding grounds with wild waterfowl. These populations include perching birds and songbirds.

CCE is uncertain as to when it will be safe to put feeders back out, but scientists believe that case loads should decrease over the summer months. They said the highest risk of spreading the disease is now, during the spring migration. That said, this is a disease of the colder months, and cases may spike again during the fall migration.

This disease can cause unusual deaths and illness in both wild and domestic birds. Concerns about dead or sick wild birds can be directed to the Region 9 Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) office at (716) 851-7010.

Suspected cases of C-D-M should be put into a zip seal baggie with a big breath of air or spritz of water and left on the counter overnight to force sporulation. Once sporulating, CDM can be visually confirmed by Cornell Cooperative Extension. Unfortunately, there are not great mitigation options once the plants are infected, specifically for homeowners, as most home remedies and off-the-shelf fungicide products do little to stop an infection.

CCE is looking to collect samples to provide to researchers who are continuing to work on better controls for cucurbit downy mildew.

If you suspect that you have CDM, home gardeners may contact Chautauqua County master gardeners at chautauquamg@cornell.edu, 716-664-9502 Ext.224, or email chautauqua@cornell.edu.

WRFA’s Julia Ciesla-Hanley spoke with Cornell Cooperative Extension Field Crop Specialist Josh Putnam about current soil conditions and what’s going on with the growing season in Chautauqua County.

Seed damage from cool soil conditions

Seed damage from cool soil conditions

While soil conditions are cooler than usual, Western New York is on target for its growing season. Cornell Cooperative Extension Field Crop Specialist Josh Putman said corn and soybean planting are just starting in the area. Even with temperatures in the 70’s this week, Putnam said he’s finding lower soil temperatures,

“And soil temperatures are ranging from 48 to 56 Fahrenheit and ultimately we want to be planting when that soil temperature is above 50 Fahrenheit. But if we really start falling below that, we can have what’s called chilling injury to our seed.”

Putman said cool rains predicted for later this week could affect seeds. He added that the extended forecast looks decent for May,

“So everyone is pretty optimistic about it. And if you then take a look at next week we’re in the 60s and sunny. Again it’s hard to predict seven days out but everybody is very positive and being optimistic.”

Putman says recent precipitation should also help moderate drought conditions in Western New York, but that growers should remain aware of soil moisture before planting.

Cornell Cooperative Extensions of Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Allegany Counties will have hand sanitizer and face masks available for farms in each county. This program is available only for farm owners to distribute to themselves and their employees. This effort has been made available through NYS Dept. of Ag and Markets as a result of the COVID–19 pandemic. There is no cost for the products to be provided.

The sanitizer and face coverings will be available for pickup at the following locations:

Cattaraugus County CCE office located at 28 Parkside Drive in Ellicottville.

The Cattaraugus program is in cooperation with the Cattaraugus County Soil and Water District and the Cattaraugus County Farm Bureau. Only information required will be the number of employees served. Available on Monday, May 11 and Tuesday May 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional dates may be added if the demand requires. Details for picking up are: Drive to the parking Lot, Stay in vehicle and proceed in line to the front of building. A staff member will get your order and deliver hand sanitizer and face coverings to your vehicle. Please maintain social distancing and wear face covering.  Call if you have a question at 716-699-2377 during business hours.

Chautauqua CCE: Lake Erie Regional Grape Program office located at 6592 West Main Road in Portland.

The Chautauqua program is in cooperation with the Chautauqua Produce Auction, The Lake Erie Regional Grape Program, and the Chautauqua County Building and Grounds Department. Delivery may be available also. Delivery and pick up will be scheduled on a case by case basis while supplies last. Visit www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua for more details and to place a request for product. Details for picking up are: Drive to the parking Lot, stay in vehicle and proceed in line to the front of building. A staff member will get your order and deliver hand sanitizer and face coverings to your vehicle. Please maintain social distancing and wear face covering.  Call if you have a question at 716-664-9502 during business hours.

Allegany CCE: Allegany County farms may contact Lynn Bliven by phone 585-268-7644 ext. 18 or email lao3@cornell.edu to schedule pickup or delivery.

This Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE).  CCE 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.

Twenty pies baked by 4-Hers and friends of 4-H will be auctioned at the 2019 4-H Green Tie Affair on Sunday, February 24, 2019.

MAYVILLE – Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s 4-H Youth Development Program still has pre-sale tickets available for their 7th Annual 4-H Green Tie Affair benefit dinner on Sunday, February 24, 2019. Tickets for this fun event are still available for $25.00. Tickets will also be available at the door if seats are still available.

The Have a Heart for 4-H Green Tie Affair will take place on Sunday, February 24, 2019 at the Chautauqua Suites in Mayville. Doors open at 3 p.m. with a basket raffle and bake sale. Dinner will be served at 5 p.m. with a pie auction immediately following dinner.

Mike and Dakota Peterson of Peterson Auctions have volunteered their time to serve as auctioneers at the Green Tie Afffair.

New this year the Green Tie Affair will feature a photo booth and DJ. This year’s event has a country-western theme and guests are welcome to show off their best Western wear. This events draws 600-700 guests annually and there is something for everyone!

Chautauqua County 4-H connects 300 youth to year-round, hands-on learning opportunities that help them grow into competent, caring, contributing members of society. An additional 1,000 youth participate in Conservation Field Days Tractor and Farm Machinery Safety Course. The Green Tie Affair will directly fund 4-H programming in 2019. Any funds raised over that need will be placed in the endowment that 4-H has created at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation so that 4-H can positively impact the lives of families in Chautauqua County forever.

Tickets can be purchased from any Chautauqua County 4-H member, by calling the 4-H Office at 664-9502 ext. 214, or by visiting the 4-H Office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The 4-H Office is located in the Frank Bratt Ag Center 3542 Turner Road, Jamestown.

The 4-H Youth Development 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.