Growing houseplants is a great way to start gardening, while enhancing the beauty of your home and creating an environment of health and well-being. This lecture will provide information on types of houseplants, growth requirements, identification and treatment of common diseases and pests, as well as ongoing maintenance tips. Whether you want a few special plants or an indoor oasis, this lecture will give you the tools you need.

This training is for all currently elected 4-H Club Officers and any 4-H youth interested in learning about the various club officer roles. You are invited to join Faith, our 4-H Educator, at Club Officer Training night. You'll learn the roles and responsibilities of the office you hold (or are interested in holding), basic meeting procedure, and leadership skills which you will bring back to your club!

This Public Presentation Information Session/Workshop is open to all 4-Hers, Club Leaders and 4-H Parents/Guardians! Come learn about the Public Presentation process, how to create a public presentation, review the rubric to understand how you with be evaluated, ask your questions and more! 

The focus of this webinar is for beginner farmers and growers interested in cultivating their own Ginseng. We will go over the different options for growing Ginseng, with a concentration on Wild Simulated Ginseng. Topics will include why Ginseng, options for growing, site selection, site preparation, importance of seed care, seed stratification, planting, organic and Forest Grown Verification, pests and diseases, and harvesting.

Zoom webinar hosted by CCE Ulster with Ashley Schoenborn, Agriculture Educator at CCE Columbia-Greene leading this presentation on ginseng cultivation.

Silvopasture, the integration of livestock with trees, can address many of your farm’s resource concerns when done correctly. Learn how silvopasture can provide shade and fodder for livestock, increase your grazeable land, provide new income streams, and support the health and climate resilience of your land.

In this Zoom webinar hosted by CCE Ulster, Kathryn Brignac, Livestock and Natural Resources Educator, will give an overview of silvopasture and its benefits, approaches to transitioning to silvopasture, and resources and funding sources for these practices

Fertilizer Law/Turf Management Certificate Program
by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rockland County

The Fertilizer Certificate Program is a required course to obtain the Home Improvement Contractors Certificate; which is required to conduct business in Rockland County. The course is also referred to as The Turf Management Course.

This class has a direct connection to the Clean Water Act of 1972 through Phase II Stormwater Regulations. The class addresses the environmental effects of turf management and the impact that fertilizer creates on open state waters and stream systems. Explanations of fertilizer formulas are given along with the proper way and time period to apply fertilizer. Alternatives to traditional lawn and yard care are presented as a way to reduce fertilizer use and prevent run-off from stormwater. A review of the law is covered and how it applies to both landscapers and retail business sales. The class ends with a review of resources to utilize with in Rockland County in relationship to non-point and point pollution prevention

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rockland County will be offering Fertilizer Law Certificate Program(s) the first Wednesday of every month. The Fertilizer Law Certificate Program is qualified through Rockland County to those interested in becoming certified.

The cost  $70.00.

Registration and payment in advanced is required!

Certificates of completion are prepared ahead of time and distributed at the conclusion of the class.

This Certificate is the document required by the County. Materials not affiliated with the Rockland County Office of Consumer Protection.

[Traducción al español a continuación.]

The February 5, 2025 program will be held as an online class through Zoom™. You will need access to a computer with a speaker or a tablet or smartphone to participate. Please put your name in the Q&A section upon entering to ensure your attendance is taken. 

You will receive a digital copy of your certificate if you've provided an email address. 

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Programa de certificación de la ley de fertilizantes / manejo del césped
por la Extensión Cooperativa de Cornell del Condado de Rockland

El programa del 5 de Febrero se llevará a cabo como una clase en línea a través de Zoom ™. Necesitará acceso a una computadora con un altavoz o una tableta o teléfono inteligente para participar.

Recibirá una copia digital de su certificado si ha proporcionado una dirección de correo electrónico.

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Questions about the Fertilizer Law Program? Please contact Michael Wilson at [email protected] or call (845) 429-7085, option 3.

For trouble with the registration portal, to make accommodation requests, or for help with Zoom, Contact Ernesto Leon at [email protected]

Teens ages 13 to 19 with an interest in animals and veterinary science careers should consider joining our 4-H Veterinary Science Program! 

Youth will explore the normal animal, including attitude and behavior, maintaining animal health, and the organs and systems of the animal body. Animal diseases will be discussed including viruses, bacteria, and parasites that affect animal health.
The program is a nine-week commitment, covering two units of study. The program is organized and sponsored by Dr. Beth Alden, Professor of Biology and director of the SUNY Ulster Vet Tech Program. It is coordinated by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County’s (CCEUC) 4-H Youth Development.

Area veterinarians and other speakers will provide hands-on lessons in a clinical setting. In the first unit, youth will explore the normal animal, including attitude and behavior, maintaining animal health, and the organs and systems of the animal body. In the second unit, animal diseases will be discussed including viruses, bacteria, and parasites that affect animal health. The instructors will also discuss the profession of veterinary science and possible career paths. The final class will include a guest speaker and a graduation ceremony.

Participation is limited to 24 students. Registrations will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, conditional upon receipt of the 4-H enrollment form and full payment. Sorry, no refunds.

In the event of bad weather, lessons may be cancelled in which case an extended period will be offered the following Thursday. The series runs on Thursdays from 6:25 to 8 PM, starting on 2/6, 2025 - 4/3, 2025. 

A very special thank you to Dr. Beth Alden, Professor of Biology and coordinator of the SUNY Ulster Vet Tech Program, for her many years of service to the 4-H Veterinary Science Program!

Contact Information:

Faith Shultz: [email protected] - (845) 340-3990 ext. 340

Andrew Ruiz: [email protected] - (845) 340-3990 ext. 341

When and why to prune can be a confusing and daunting task for the backyard gardener. Master Gardener Volunteer, Mike Piedmonte, will present a general overview of pruning strategies and techniques to help increase one’s self confidence with a lopper. Garden and pruning tool maintenance will also be featured.

This agroforestry practice intentionally combines water quality protection & conservation with sustainable food and forest production. In this webinar, participants will explore how to incorporate native, perennial, and often edible plant species into a fruitful buffer system that promotes healthy freshwater ecosystems and agroforestry products. The presentation will focus on basic stream function, buffer assessment, and establishment using a Multi-use Riparian Buffer Guide developed by CCE Columbia Greene, in partnership with the Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Zoom webinar hosted by CCE Ulster with Tracey Testo, CCE Columbia-Greene‘s Agroforestry Program Manager presenting for the final session of our Winter 2025 Agroforestry series.

Join us for the 2025 New and Beginning Farmer Workshop in our Kingston office on Saturday February 15t, 2024. Presenters from CCE, Cornell and partner agencies will cover a variety of topics in short workshops that help new and aspiring farmers get started!

Ulster County is home  to a diverse farming community, and presentations will cover a range of topics with opportunties to connect with specalists and techinal support providers. Sessions include local farming and gardening resources, agroforestry, marketing, integrated pest managment, climate impacts and resiliency strategies and more.

Topics will include; grain quality and variety selection, emerging crops, post harvest handling and food safety.

In this class, we will delve into the topic of cut flowers! Learn which flowers to grow in your cutting garden, how to harvest them, the components of a beautiful bouquet, and how to get the longest vase life out of your blooms. If you enjoy fresh bouquets and would love for them to come from your garden, this class is for you!

The National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program enables young workers (ages 14-19) to obtain a US Department of Labor Certificate of Training which is required to operate farm tractors and equipment.

The course is open to anyone 13 years of age and older, however, only those 14 and older will be able to drive and become certified. Participants learn important safety skills and gain an advantage when seeking employment at a lawn or landscaping business, golf course or farm.

The registration fee is $25 ($10 for current Ulster 4-H members), which includes the Student Manual. Space is limited to the first 20 paid registrants, on a first paid, first served basis. Sorry, no refunds.
  

Do you want to get a jump on starting your garden this season?  This class will cover indoor seed starting. We will discuss what seeds to start indoors, we will mix our own seed starting medium, talk about what containers to use, the importance of heat and light and warn you of some of the troubles you may encounter when starting your seeds. You will have a hands on experience and take home a mini green house with your planted seeds.

The seed swap is a great opportunity to exchange your extra viable seeds and seek new varieties of vegetables and ornamentals.

Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer your questions about growing plants from seed. By exchanging seeds you will also be able to save money and another gardener can use your unused but viable seeds.

This is great fun for the whole family!!!

Please review the Seed Swap Guidelines Below

Guidelines

• Please bring viable seeds, in an envelope, zip top bag, or original seed package, etc. We will have envelopes available to take seeds home in.

• Please Label your seeds, we recommend copying the label of seed packs, if saved seeds (At a minimum, each variety should have a notecard listing the name, type of plant, season collected, if open pollinated and source of the seed. Labels are even more useful if they also include information about the growing conditions, appearance, and flavor.)

• Please bring only viable seeds. Below is a list of seeds and how many seasons they are viable:

• 1 year: onions, parsnips, parsley, spinach, Anemone, Aster, Begonia’ Chives, Coneflower, Coreopsis, Delphinium, Larkspur, Nigella, Pansy, Phlox, Salvia, Vinca, Viola
• 2 years: corn, peas, beans, chives, okra, dandelion, Ageratum, Baby’s breath, Candytuft, Clarkia, Columbine, Coreopsis, Cyclamen, Dahlia, Dusty miller, Four o’clock, Foxglove, Gaillardia, Impatiens, Lisanthus, Lupin, Marigold, Nicotiana, Penstemon, Petunia, Portulaca, Rue, Statice, Strawflower, Tithonia
• 3 years: carrots, leeks, asparagus, turnips, rutabagas, Achillea, African daisy, Alyssum, Amaranth, Anise, Bachelor Button, Calendula, Campanula, Caraway, Cosmos, Dianthus, Didiscus, Dill, Fennel, Hollyhock, Lobelia, Marigold, Marjoram, Poppy, Sage, Savory, Scabiosa,Shasta daisy, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet pea, Sunflower, Thyme, Verbena
• 4 years: peppers, chard, pumpkins, squash, watermelons, basil, artichokes, cardoons, Centaurea, Celosia, Lavatera, Morning glory, Nasturtium, Sweet alyssum
• 5 years: most brassicas, beets, tomatoes, eggplant, cucumbers, muskmelons, celery, celeriac, lettuce, endive, chicory, Basil Borage Carnation Catnip Chrysanthemum, Cilantro, Hollyhock, Lavendar, Lemon Balm, Oregano, Zinnia

• How many seeds to bring Those new to seed saving and seed swaps might want some suggestions on how much seed should be exchanged. You want to take at least the minimum number of seed necessary to meet your home garden needs but at the same time you want to leave plenty of seed for other participants to try. Some general suggestions are to share larger quantities of smaller seeds and smaller quantities of larger seeds. For most home gardeners 12-20 tomato or pepper seeds, 20-25 bean or pea seeds, and 25-50 flower or herb seeds should more than suffice.

• If you want to take more seeds then you brought (or didn’t bring any seeds), we suggest a 0.50 donation for each pack you take