Hot Cocoa and Paint Wednesday, February 19, 2025 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Amboy 4-H Environmental Education Center, 748 State Route 183 , Williamstown, New York 13493 Registration is full! To be added to the wait list, please contact Sarah McCormick at sam555@cornell.edu or 315-963-7286 ext. 401. Join our educator for a fun Hot Cocoa & Paint, where youth will enjoy sipping on delicious hot cocoa while creating their very own nature-themed masterpiece of an evergreen tree! This class is perfect for kids to unleash their creativity as they paint a beautiful landscape and add their own spin to it. The educator will guide them step-by-step, making sure everyone feels confident and proud of their artwork! $10 per youth, registration is required for this program, as space is limited Registration: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/Paint25_235 ========================================= ​Winter Scavenger Hunt Thursday, February 20, 2025 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Amboy 4-H Environmental Education Center, 748 State Route 183 , Williamstown, New York 13493 Explore the snowy trails and discover everything nature has to offer as you search for unique seasonal features. Come look for animal tracks and winter birds, and witness the intricate patterns of ice and snow-covered trees. This fun, family-friendly activity is perfect for all ages, offering a chance to connect with the outdoors, learn about the local ecosystem, and experience the peace and wonder of a winter landscape.The recommended age for this program is 5+. $4 per person, or $12 for a family. Children under the age of three are free! Registration: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/ScavengerHunt_235 ========================================= Winter Break Snowshoe Hike Friday, February 21, 2025 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Amboy 4-H Environmental Education Center, 748 State Route 183 , Williamstown, New York 13493 This guided hike will take you through the Center’s scenic winter trails, where you'll learn about local wildlife, winter ecology, and the environment. This is a perfect experience for kids to explore the beauty of nature in winter, while staying active and engaged. Snowshoes are provided, so all you need is a sense of adventure and warm clothes. This fun, beginner-friendly adventure is perfect for all ages. Educators ask everyone who is attending to please dress appropriately for whatever the weather may be. Wearing winter boots or winter shoes that are flat are recommended so they can easily be strapped in.The recommended age for these programs is 5+. All youth must be accompanied by an adult. $4 per person, or $12 for a family. Children under the age of three are free! Registration: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/WBSnowshoe_235 ========================================= Teen Snowshoe Sparks series Saturday, February 22, 2025 10:00 am - 2:30 pm Is your teen in 7th grade or higher and passionate about the outdoors? Are they eager to explore new natural areas across the county? They can connect with fellow Oswego County teens who share their love for nature by joining the Teen Snowshoe Sparks series! These engaging and educational sessions will take place on the fourth Saturday of each month from January to March: January 25th, February 22nd, and March 22nd. Participants will not only learn the art of snowshoeing and refine their skills, but they will also gain knowledge about winter first aid and survival techniques. The group will meet from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with lunch included. Teens will have the chance to snowshoe through Winona State Forest, Amboy 4-H Environmental Education Center, and Great Bear Recreation Area. Transportation may be provided upon request.Teen Snowshoe Sparks Series is a collaboration between Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County 4-H Program and Oswego County Prevention Coalition. There is no registration fee for this series because of this collaboration. Snowshoes will be provided participants to use during this program. Participants need to come dressed to be outdoors with weather-proof attire and footwear. Registration: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/SnowshoeSparks_235 ========================================= 2025 Ag Agency Awareness Day Wednesday, March 19, 2025 11:00 am - 2:30 pm Stefano's Pizzeria, 3273 Main Street , Mexico, NY 13114 Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County, in collaboration with the Oswego County Soil and Water Conservation District, USDA Farm Service Agency, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, will be sponsoring a free workshop for agriculture producers. These four agencies that serve the farmers and residents of Oswego County will be hosting the Eighth Annual Ag Agency Awareness Day. This program is geared towards aspiring farmers, beginning farmers and established agricultural producers who are looking for information on how to improve or expand their agriculture business. Updates on Federal and NYS programs will be discussed, including some cost share programs. Amy Langner, Resource Soil Scientist for the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service will also be providing a soil health demonstration.Lunch will be provided free for those who pre-register, courtesy of CCE Oswego and the Soil & Water Conservation District. There is no cost to attend this event, but registration is required by Friday, March 14, 2025. This event is partially funded by the Finger Lakes-Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance. Free, but registration is required Registration: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/ag_awareness_day-2_235 ========================================= Teen Snowshoe Sparks series Saturday, March 22, 2025 10:00 am - 2:30 pm Is your teen in 7th grade or higher and passionate about the outdoors? Are they eager to explore new natural areas across the county? They can connect with fellow Oswego County teens who share their love for nature by joining the Teen Snowshoe Sparks series! These engaging and educational sessions will take place on the fourth Saturday of each month from January to March: January 25th, February 22nd, and March 22nd. Participants will not only learn the art of snowshoeing and refine their skills, but they will also gain knowledge about winter first aid and survival techniques. The group will meet from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with lunch included. Teens will have the chance to snowshoe through Winona State Forest, Amboy 4-H Environmental Education Center, and Great Bear Recreation Area. Transportation may be provided upon request.Teen Snowshoe Sparks Series is a collaboration between Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County 4-H Program and Oswego County Prevention Coalition. There is no registration fee for this series because of this collaboration. Snowshoes will be provided participants to use during this program. Participants need to come dressed to be outdoors with weather-proof attire and footwear. Registration: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/SnowshoeSparks_235 ========================================= Farm Marketing Workshop Tuesday, May 6, 2025 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm Stefano's Pizzeria, 3273 Main Street , Mexico, NY 13114 The Cornell Agriculture Marketing Research Program (CAMRP) announces a NEW series of farm marketing workshops across the state. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego will be hosting one of these events on May 6th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Stefano’s Pizzeria located at 3273 Main Street, Mexico. This workshop targets farmers selling directly to consumers and will introduce new tools and resources designed to help increase sales and profitability, including marketing and pricing strategies for the upcoming 2025 market season. The workshop will cover two topics: MeatSuite.com and the Farmers Market Research Project. Both topics are applicable to livestock producers selling meat direct-to-consumers while part two also appeals to dairy, egg, fruit and vegetable producers and those selling any farm products at a farmers' market.Beginning at 6:00 p.m.The first hour, Creating and Pricing Consumer-friendly Meat with MeatSuite, will start with an introduction to MeatSuite. Then we'll share how to make bulk meat sales more approachable for first-time buyers, followed by a demonstration of MeatSuite’s newest tool, Bundle Builder, which allows you to easily assemble “bulk bundles” and set prices. 7:00 p.m. - A light dinner will be served.Beginning at 7:30 p.m.The last hour, Farmers Market Sales Data: Using the Customer Experience and Pricing to Improve Market Sales Performance, will cover the results of Cornell research on customer spending and prices at farmers markets. You will learn practical ways to increase customer spending and daily sales. This session is appropriate for farms selling, fruit & vegetables, meat, dairy, and eggs as well as other farm products.Guest speaker will be Matt LeRoux, Extension Associate for the Dyson School of Economics & Management at Cornell University.To confirm your seating, payment can be mailed or dropped off to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County located 3288 Main St. Mexico, NY. All checks should be made out to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County. $5 per person and includes a light dinner. Registration is required. Registration: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/farm_marketingworkshop_235 =========================================