Apr 18, 2026, 10:00am - 12:00pm

You may have heard of biochar and its many benefits when added to your soil, but just what is it and what are the benefits to using it. Biochar isn’t something new it was developed by pre-Columbian indigenous populations in the Amazon Basin (mainly modern-day Brazil) over 2,500 years ago. Did you know you can make your own biochar at home from different types of biomasses such as woody plant material and even grasses. Sonnenberg Gardens and Cornell Cooperative Extension are hosting a free workshop on Saturday April 18, 2026 from 10:00 am-12:00 pm. Rain date Sunday April 19, 2026 from 11:00 am-1:00 pm. The workshop will be held at Sonnenberg Gardens, 250 Gibson St. Canandaigua NY. The instructor is Kathleen Draper who has been involved in the biochar industry for the past 15 years as an educator, researcher, and consultant. Kathleen will be doing a live demonstration on how to make biochar that you can do the same at home and explain just what it is, its many uses and how biochar improves your soil and impacts climate change. You must register for this event by contacting Cornell Cooperative Extension at 585-394-3977 ext.427 or email Nancy .

Apr 25, 2026, 7:00am - 3:00pm

This event is free and open to residents of ONTARIO County only. April 25, 2026Casella Landfill |  5 & 20 between Canandaigua and Geneva3555 County Road 49Stanley, NY 14561REGISTRATION OPENS March 30, 2026Contact 585-394-3977 x 427If you called and don't get a person, please leave a message and your call will be returned. • No business or farm waste will be accepted.  • PRE-REGISTRATION and PROOF OF RESIDENCY will be required. We are requesting you to have your name PRINTED and REGISTRATION TIME on a sheet of paper that you will show us when you drive in. What is Household Hazardous Waste? Household hazardous waste is any discarded household material that can be classified as toxic, corrosive, flammable or reactive.  For example: • ALL Paint • Alkaline Batteries • Cleaning Products • Thinners/Strippers • Acids/Bases • Automotive Products• Pesticides Materials Accepted at the Event: Acids, Adhesives, Aerosols, Antifreeze, Boric Acid, Alkaline Batteries (AAA, AA, C, D), Brake Fluid, Cements, Charcoal Lighters, Chlorine, Cleaning Fluid, Degreasers, Disinfectants, Drain Cleaners, Dry Gas, Epoxies, Dyes, Fiberglass Resins, Flea Powders, Furniture Strippers, Hair Removers, Herbicides, Insect Repellents, Lacquers, Lubricants, Mothballs or Flakes, Motor Oil, Nail Polish Removers, Oven Cleaners, Paints, Paint Removers, Paint Thinners, Permanent Solutions, Pesticides, Photo chemicals, Rat Poisons, Rug & Upholstery Cleaners, Rust Solvents, Wood Preservatives, Spot Removers, Tub and Tile Cleaners, Turpentine, Varnish, Weed Killers, Wood Polishes & Stains, LED lightbulbs.  Products containing mercury, and florescent light tubes will also be accepted. Vapes/E-cigs will also be accepted.ALL PAINTS WILL BE ACCEPTED.Materials NOT Accepted at the Event: Household Electronics (TVS –flat screen and CRTs, computer monitors, cell phones, DVD players, VCRs, etc.) Automobile and truck tires, Compressed Gas Cylinders, Explosives or Shock-Sensitive Materials, Ammunition, Radioactive Wastes, Pathological Wastes, Infectious Waste, Medicines, PCB’s, Freon containing devices (i.e. Air conditioners, dehumidifiers). **Casella reserves the right to reject any waste unidentified, deemed unacceptable by the disposal firm, or of excessive volume** Pre-registration IS REQUIRED! When you arrive at the event you will need to bring with you a sheet of paper with YOUR NAME PRINTED and your REGISTRATION TIME. Thanks.Call Cornell Cooperative Extension at 585-394-3977 x 427 to pre-register. Registrations are in 15 minute time slots. The last time slot is 2:45 pm.  Registration will open on March 30, 2026 and end on April 23, 2026.

May 02, 2026, 9:00am - 12:00pm

Here in the northeast, cultivating log-grown mushrooms can be commercially viable even for small operations. Join Russ Welser, Sr. Resource Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County  for a presentation on forest cultivation of shiitake, and other specialty mushrooms, for home or small farm-scale production. Learn the proper tree species, timing, inoculation and management techniques, along with the basic economics and marketing.Program participants will have the opportunity to inoculate a log that they will take home. Anyone interested in growing mushrooms for commercial sale or personal use is encouraged to attend. The fee includes an inoculated log, a copy of "Best Management Practices for Log-Based Shiitake Cultivation in the Northeastern United States”.Class is limited to 20 participants. Pre-registration and payment required by April 28, 2026. Payment by cash or check made payable to CCE Ontario, mail to CCE Ontario, 480 North Main Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424. No credit cards accepted.To register, call 585-394-3977 x 427 or email Nancy with your name, address, and phone number.

May 13, 2026, 6:30pm - 8:00pm

Master Gardeners, Michelle Bartell and Sue Craugh, will guide you through the world of gardening with herbs as they discuss the advantages of growing your own for culinary and other uses. They will be giving a short presentation on what and how to grow both annual and perennial herbs,  their beneficial uses in the garden and in the kitchen. From warding off insects to creating the flavors of high dining meals and desserts, herbs are a fantastic addition to any flower or vegetable garden. They will cover when and how to harvest our herbs for top quality. Participants will be creating their own potted herb garden of rosemary, thyme, and oregano to take home. To register: email Nancy with your name, address, and phone number.Or Call to register, 585-394-3977 x 427 with your name, address, phone number, and email address. Pre-registration required and payment before the workshop. Check made payable to CCE Ontario, mail to CCE Ontario, Attn: Herbs, 480 North Main Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424.

May 17, 2026, 11:00am - 3:00pm

Celebrating Locally Grown Agricultural Products!Get to Know Your Local Farmers!Join Cornell Cooperative Extension Ontario County at New York Kitchen for our spring Meet Your Local Farmer Fair! This fun and educational community event will provide an opportunity to meet your local producers and learn more about their agricultural product offerings.- Learn about CSA programs, local farm stands & markets, and pick-your-own opportunities!- Shop a variety of local produce, meats, eggs, cut flowers, plants, & more!- Experience live chef cooking demonstrations on the hour!- Enjoy live music on the Tasting Room Terrace with Sam NitschThere is no fee to attend, and all are welcome! Those that come can enter for our raffle to win many donated baskets from farmers.The 2026 Spring Meet Your Local Farmer Fair is brought to you by Cornell Cooperative Extension Ontario County and New York Kitchen.

Jun 27, 2026, 9:00am - 1:00pm

The Beginning Farmer Tractor and Chainsaw Safety workshop is intended for anyone who owns or operates a tractor or chainsaw and is in need of some safety tips and boost in confidence with the piece of equipment. This workshop is expected to last no more than 4 hours and lunch will be provided!Location: American Equipment 6112 Collett Rd Farmington, NY 14425Topics covered include:- Safe handling techniques- Operating in different conditions- Maintenance tips and problem diagnostics- protective equipment necessary and recommendedAgenda is as follows:9AM -Intro to the course and skill levels9:15 - Tractor Safety10:30 - Break10:45 - Chainsaw Safety12PM - Lunch & wrap upRegistration is $10 and this covers lunch costs. Any questions about the workshop can be directed to Jacob Maslyn at jlm563@cornell.edu or 585-394-3977 x 402