Erie Cattaraugus County Community Source 4/7/23

Audubon Announces Judges for 2023 Nature Photography Contest

A Call for Volunteers for

the

18th Annual Canal Clean Sweep

New York’s Largest Earth Day Celebration Along the Canalway Kicks Off Friday, April 21

Photo Submitted

Audubon Community Nature Center has named four judges for its 2023 Nature Photography Contest, where Youth and Adults compete for $1,600 in prize money. Pictured is the 2022 winner in the Adult Landscapes category, “Cheaha Sunset” by Christopher Baker of Madison, Alabama.

Jamestown, N.Y. – A panel of four judges will choose the Adult and Youth winners in the categories of Animals, Plants and Landscapes in the Audubon Community Nature Center (ACNC) 2023 Nature Photography Contest. All winners receive a $200 cash prize.

Three honorable mentions will also be named.

Two additional $200 cash prizes are awarded for the Adult and Youth photos receiving the most Community Choice votes online. A photo could receive both the Community Choice and a judged award. Full details of the competition are at GoGoPhotoContest.com/

ACNCPhotoContest2023, where you can submit photos and see the 2022 contest winners.

Judging the entries will be Ron Durant, Wanda Krack, Tom Morack and Bill Smith. With decades of experience as photographers, all have judged photography contests as well. Details of the background of each can be found on the Judges page on the competition website. ACNC will print the winning photographs to exhibit in the Nature Center. Winning and honorable mention photographs will be displayed on the contest website and announced in a widely distributed news release.

The sooner photographs are submitted, the longer the public can vote for them for the Community Choice awards. Photographers are reminded to encourage friends and family to vote for their photo(s). All the social media buttons are there for postings.

Deadline for submissions is Sunday, July 2, 2023.

Audubon Community Nature Center builds and nurtures connections between people and nature by providing positive outdoor experiences, opportunities to learn about and understand the natural world, and knowledge to act in environmentally responsible ways. To learn more, visit AudubonCNC.org.

Easter egg hunts and other eggceptional traditions

Sunday, and eggs became, once again, important and nutritious staples — especially for poor families that couldn’t afford much meat. Eggs also were given to the church by medieval English villagers and also to the lords of the manor. Royals eventually got in on the act, and decorated eggs were distributed to the household in a tradition that was one of the earliest to include eggs.

Egg hunts and more

Volunteers are encouraged to register today, as groups across New York State repare for the 18th Canal Clean Sweep, to be held April 21-23, 2023. Canal Clean Sweep is an annual cleanup event held across the New York State Canal System and Canalway Trail. With more than 100 events and more than 2,500 volunteers expected along the more than 400-milelong Canalway Trail system and the 524-mile-long Canal system, Canal Clean Sweep is New York's largest Earth Day clean-up event. This weekend provides opportunities for thousands of residents to give back to their local communities and to show pride in one of New York’s most iconic cultural and recreational resources.

Clean Sweep is scheduled to coincide with the annual Earth Day celebrations on Saturday, April 22.

Canal Clean Sweep will be one of a number of events held around the state to recognize the ongoing commitment to improving the health of our natural environment, in addition to being part of a nationwide celebration to encourage people to get outside and enjoy our exceptional trails and trail systems.

recreational resource for locals and visitors alike.

To register, click on a pin on the interactive map by visiting www. ptny.org/canalsweep to sign up for the event you would like to attend. Make sure to note the date and time as most events occur the weekend of April 21-23, but some clean-ups might be earlier or later. Please keep in mind that volunteers can only register for public events through the interactive map. Those that are attending a private event should contact the host directly.

Canal Clean Sweep 2023 is organized by the non-profit Parks & Trails New York, in partnership with the New York State Canal Corporation.

Easter is celebrated in various ways. Traditional religious commemorations include Saturday evening Easter vigils and Sunday morning Resurrection masses. Parents may spend Easter weekend putting the finishing touches on Easter Bunny baskets, and many families favor a combination of traditions.

Since religious as well as secular imagery and traditions have melded to form the Easter most individuals recognize today, a mix of customs may be part of your Easter festivities. Among them will be colored eggs, egg hunts and possibly even egg rolls. Just how was the Easter egg tradition hatched?

Pre-Christian societies

Before Christianity was as widespread as it is in modern times, many societies associated eggs with spring and new life. Many birds

and animals lay eggs early in spring, and these eggs tend to hatch upon the arrival of the warm weather, budding flowers and buzzing insects.

Ancient Persians are believed to have painted eggs for Nowrooz, their new year celebration that would fall on the spring equinox each year.

Eggs also have been part of Passover celebrations. A hard-boiled egg dipped in salt water is served at a Passover seder, symbolizing both new life away from oppression and the Passover sacrifice at the Temple in Jerusalem, according to Chabad.org.

Lent, Christianity and eggs

In medieval times, eating eggs was forbidden during Lent, when both dairy and meat were avoided.

To reduce waste, eggs laid during Lent were boiled or preserved in some way.

The fast ended on Easter

Some historians suggest that egg hunts can be traced back to German Protestant reformer Martin Luther, who organized egg hunts for his congregation. The men would hide the eggs for the women and children to find. This symbolized the story of Christ’s resurrection, when the tomb was discovered by women. The eggs also represented Jesus’ new life and his emergence from the tomb.

Egg hunts are not the only egg-related games that were hatched for Easter celebrations. According to the website Learn Religions, some European children go from house to house begging for Easter eggs, like children may ask for treats on Halloween. The custom is called “pace-egging,” a term derived from the old word for Easter, “Pasch.” Egg rolls also are symbolic of rolling away the stone from Christ’s tomb. Various countries have their own rules on egg rolls. In Germany, for example, children roll their eggs down a track made from sticks.

Easter eggs are an integral symbol of the holiday that hold both secular and religious meaning.

The 2023 Canal Clean Sweep will take place following a full year of trail use since the completion and opening of the Empire State Trail, a 750-mile multi-use path spanning the state from Manhattan north to the Adirondacks and west along the historic Erie Canal corridor to Buffalo. Over the last few years, the Canalway Trail system has seen unprecedented use, reflecting significant investments made as part of the completion of the Empire State Trail, and increased interest and participation in outdoor recreational activities due to COVID-19. Through the efforts of volunteers across the state during Canal Clean Sweep 2023, communities will ensure the Canalway Trail system will remain a pristine

Canal Corporation irector Brian U. Stratton said, “The devoted volunteers who join us in celebrating Earth Day by helping preserve the landscapes and ecosystems along the Canal system and Empire State Trail are vital to ensuring that every visitor can enjoy and experience all that New York’s canals and trails have to offer. We are exceptionally grateful to the thousands of volunteers who have already signed up for this year’s Canal Clean Sweep, and to our partners across New York who contribute to the success of the event every year.”

“Canal Clean Sweep unites residents in canalside communities across 524 miles along the Erie, Oswego, CayugaSeneca, and Champlain canals. With nearly 100 events registered so far, we are so appreciative of the overwhelming support that stewards provide each year to prepare Canalway and Canalway Trail for the summer months,” said Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York.

“I am excited to be part of the 18th annual event to celebrate Earth Day and showcase the canal system as a major recreation and tourism destination.”

About Parks & Trails New York Parks & Trails New York is the state’s leading advocate for parks and trails. Since 1998, PTNY has been working in partnership with the New York State Canal Corporation to help canal communities plan, develop and promote the Canalway Trail. PTNY organizes Cycle the Erie Canal, an eight-day bicycle tour along the historic Erie Canal that attracts more than 650 participants each year. In 2021, the organization published an updated version of the popular guidebook, Cycling the Erie Canal: A Guide to 60 miles of Adventure and History along the Erie Canalway Trail. Learn more at www.ptny.org. About the New York State Canal System

The New York State Canal Corporation runs the New York State Canal System, which includes the Erie, Champlain, Oswego and Cayuga-Seneca canals. Spanning 524 miles, the waterway links the Hudson River with the Great Lakes, the Finger Lakes and Lake Champlain. In 2017, the Canal Corporation celebrated the 200th anniversary of the groundbreaking for the Erie Canal, which occurred in the city of Rome on July 4, 1817. The Canal System includes the Canalway Trail, a network of approximately 400 miles of multi-use trails across upstate New York. The Canalway Trail follows the towpaths of both active and historic sections of the New York State Canal System as well as adjacent abandoned rail corridors. Together, the canals and trail create a world-class recreationway that is a vibrant, scenic, and unique New York resource. To learn more about the New York State Canal and Canalway Trail System or to obtain a free map, please call 1-800-4CANAL4 or visit the Canal Corporation’s website at www.canals.ny.gov.

County Executive to Host Boat User

Fee Informational Meeting

Boat User Fee Informational Meeting scheduled for April 12

Mayville, N.Y.: -- In an effort to establish sustainable funding for Chautauqua Lake, as previously proposed in the Post Journal, Chautauqua County

Executive PJ Wendel would like to extend the opportunity for interested stakeholders to take part in an informational meeting to be held on Wednesday, April 12th at 5:30 pm in the legislative Chambers in order to explore and discuss the need for Boat User Fees on Chautauqua

Lake. This meeting will begin the dialogue, and discuss the formation of a committee to look into such fees being applied to Chautauqua Lake in the effort to create a dedicated funding source that would be implemented in 2024 for lake maintenance projects.

New York State Climate Justice Working Group Finalizes Disadvantaged Communities Criteria

to Advance Climate Justice Criteria Developed with Robust Public Input After 11 Public Hearings and More Than 3,000 Comments

Criteria Supports Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act Requirements to Guide Benefits of State's Climate Investments

New York State today announced the Climate Justice Working Group's (CJWG) finalization of the criteria for identifying disadvantaged communities. Following today's CJWG vote, the criteria is enacted and will guide the equitable implementation of New York's ambitious Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) provisions that prioritize disadvantaged communities by requiring reductions in air pollution and climatealtering greenhouse gas emissions and targeting clean energy and energy efficiency investments.

State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)

Commissioner and Climate Action Council Co-Chair Basil Seggos said, "Advancing climate justice is central to New York's climate actions and our ongoing efforts to transition all New Yorkers to a cleaner, greener future.

I thank the Climate Justice Working Group for their hard work as part of this robust and transparent process to advance this criteria and help ensure no less than 35 percent with the goal of 40 percent of the Climate Act's benefits are directed to disadvantaged communities. Today marks a significant milestone in New York's ongoing work to achieve climate justice and DEC looks forward to continuing to work with communities and stakeholders across the state to combat climate change and build healthier communities strengthened by our green economy."

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)

President and CEO and Climate Action Council

Co-Chair Doreen M. Harris said, "The final adoption of this criteria solidifies New York State's commitment to climate justice for those underserved communities most impacted by air pollution and harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Through its hard work and dedication, the Climate Justice Working Group's clearly defined guidance will help us realize the equitable distribution of benefits from clean energy investments as together, we combat climate change."

The Climate Act requires New York State to invest or direct resources to ensure that disadvantaged communities receive at least 35 percent, with the goal of 40 percent, of overall benefits of spending on clean energy and energy efficiency programs - one of several ways the Climate Act prioritizes climate justice. The Climate Act also requires State agencies and entities to prioritize greenhouse gas emissions co-pollutant reductions and ensure State decision-making does not disproportionately burden disadvantaged communities.

New York State's disadvantaged communities criteria served as a model for the Biden Administration's

Justice40 initiative with alignment between the state and federal government with historic commitments to both address climate change and recognize the need for environmental justice in plans, proposals, and investments as part of our climate agenda, not just in New York but across the country.

The CJWG, established in the Climate Act, is comprised of 13 representatives from organizations working in frontline environmental justice communities across New York State and supported by a team of State agency and technical experts. For more than two years, the CJWG worked to identify disadvantaged communities by evaluating, and ultimately voting on 45 indicators, including: environmental burdens and climate change risks; sociodemographic factors such as age, race, and income; and health vulnerabilities. Using a methodology that worked at the census tract level, the CJWG combined and ranked all indicators into an overall score.

In addition to the geographic component, the criteria includes low-income households located anywhere in New York State for the purpose of investing or directing clean energy and energy efficiency programs, projects, and investments. These individual households report annual total income at or below 60 percent of the State median income, or households otherwise eligible for low-income programs.

The State's CJWG released the draft criteria for public comment in March 2022. Robust public input and engagement on the draft criteria included 11 public hearings across the state, with more than 3,000 written comments submitted and reviewed prior to finalization. The criteria and methods for identifying disadvantaged communities will be reviewed annually by the CJWG to ensure the State is accurately targeting emissions reductions and investments.

CJWG Member and UPROSE Executive Director Elizabeth Yeampierre said, "The recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report stunned us when they stated we have seven years to do right by people and the planet. Fortunately, in New York, the historic CLCPA has provided us with the opportunity to do so. The CJWG was honored with the opportunity to develop criteria to guide the State in investments that will protect communities that have endured a legacy of environmental injustice. As part of this working group, we worked diligently and relentlessly to ensure that our aunties, our children, and those most vulnerable to recurrent extreme weather events were prioritized."

CJWG Member and Executive Director

of the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance (NYC-EJA) Eddie Bautista said, "Identifying communities that are disadvantaged is a critical step in advancing the climate justice agenda outlined in the CLCPA. We undertook an intensive process to develop these criteria, which included reviewing public input and significant consideration and assessment of how communities are currently impacted by environmental burdens and health, income, and other social disparities. It is important to note that the criteria will be reviewed annually, allowing the working group to consider evolving knowledge on the extent to which frontline communities across the state are overburdened. I want to express my appreciation to my fellow working group members for their dedication to the process and helping us get to this point."

CJWG Member and Director of Policy at WE ACT for Environmental Justice Sonal Jessel said, "We are excited to release a final disadvantaged communities criteria to New Yorkers. As we address the climate crisis in New York State, it is vital that we ensure a minimum of 35-40% of the benefits of climate interventions go to these communities as laid out in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) because the state must ensure that we deliver long overdue investments in communities most burdened by climate and environmental injustices. Now we look forward to ensuring the DAC map is used across all agencies and programs."

CJWG Member and Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) Clean Energy Program Director Jill Henck said, "On behalf of ANCA and New York's North Country, I'm grateful for the opportunity to bring my rural region's voice to this process. I look forward to continuing these important conversations with North Country communities, state leaders, and members of the Climate Justice Working Group in order to best serve the needs of underserved and disadvantaged communities across the North Country and New York State."

CJWG Member and State Department of Labor Representative Elizabeth Furth said, "Today's announcement is a major step toward ensuring disadvantaged communities throughout New York State can truly realize the many benefits stemming from our transition to a green economy. We now have a tangible way to address climate injustices of the past and ensure we do not repeat them. This was a long but fruitful process and I am grateful for the many researchers, advocates, and members of the public who took the time to provide input on this critical issue."

A list of disadvantaged communities, along with preliminary maps (leaves DEC website), can be found on the Climate Act website. A recording of the meeting and meeting materials will also be made available as soon as possible following the meeting. A fact sheet on the final criteria will be translated and, along with an interactive map and final report, will be made available online as soon as practicable.

The Climate Act requires State agencies and entities to prioritize and maximize reduction of greenhouse gases and copollutants in disadvantaged communities. The Climate Action Council approved and adopted the Scoping Plan in December 2022 to outline recommended policies and actions to help meet the directives of the Climate Act. For more information about the Scoping Plan (leaves DEC website), visit the Climate Act website.

New York State's NationLeading Climate Plan

New York State's nationleading climate agenda calls for an orderly and just transition that creates family-sustaining jobs, continues fostering a green economy across all sectors and ensures that at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefits of clean energy and energy efficiency investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. Guided by some of the nation's most aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives, New York is on a path to achieving a zeroemission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and economywide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York's unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $35 billion in 120 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $1.8 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $1.8 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. These and other investments are supporting more than 165,000 jobs in New York's clean energy sector in 2021 and a 2,100 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, New York also adopted zero-emission vehicle regulations, including requiring all new passenger cars and trucks sold in the State be zero emission by 2035. Partnerships are continuing to advance New York's climate action with nearly 400 registered and 100 certified Climate Smart Communities, nearly 500 Clean Energy Communities, and the State's largest community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities across the state to help target air pollution and combat climate change.

Chautauqua County Officials Warn of the Presence of Xylazine in the Local Illicit Drug Supply

Mayville, N.Y.: County officials are monitoring the emergence of a dangerous substance in the local illegal drug supply. Xylazine, a non-opioid veterinary tranquilizer not approved for human use, is being found mixed with fentanyl and other opioids in communities nationwide. Added to these street drugs to extend their effects, xylazine (“tranq”) also increases the already serious risk of a drug overdose. Because it is not an opioid, xylazine does not respond to naloxone (Narcan®), the opioid overdose-reversing medication. Repeated use of xylazine is also associated with severe skin ulcers, abscesses, and related complications.

“Xylazine is making the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, fentanyl, even deadlier,” Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Anne Milgram said in a recent agency alert. Media reports have indicated the discovery of xylazine in cities nationwide, including in 90% of Philadelphia’s street drug supply. In the

Chautauqua County region, lab analyses of drugs seized by local law enforcement agencies have also discovered the presence of xylazine.

“Xylazine threatens to intensify an already severe overdose problem in our county,” said Dr. Michael Faulk MD, Chautauqua County’s Chief Medical Officer and Department of Health Director. “County residents are warned that using any street drug is dangerous and potentially deadly.”

Resources to help those struggling with substance use can be found at CombatAddictionCHQ. com. Individuals who continue to use illicit drugs are advised that naloxone, while ineffective against xylazine, does still reverse the effects of opioids present in someone experiencing an overdose. Local sources of naloxone can be found at CombatAddictionCHQ. com. Resources such as the National Overdose Prevention Lifeline at neverusealone.com are also available.

Goodskills Staff are Guests at MHA Recovery Luncheon

Jamestown, N.Y. – At the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County’s (MHA) recent recovery luncheon in Jamestown, Executive Director Steven Cobb welcomed everyone with the reminder that being together is part of supporting recovery.

Staffers Roseann Crocker and Sienna Swanson joined Cobb in presenting certificates to a number of participants for accomplishments including completing the Positive Parenting Program, being accepted at Jamestown Community College, reaching their personal goals, and more.

Justin Jimenez, staffer of MHA’s OPEN Work Program, shared his song, “Give Me Your Eyes.”

Special guests at the luncheon were Gabby Rafan and Bryan Boleratz, community outreach liaisons with Goodskills Career Builder, a program of Goodwill of Western New York.

This new program for Chautauqua County prepares workers for careers in advanced

manufacturing through four weeks of training provided at no cost to residents of Chautauqua County. The combination of classroom and hands-on experience helps to fill a growing need for skilled workers among businesses and provides opportunities for people to advance from minimum or low-wage jobs into higher paying careers. Goodskills next training begins Monday, April 17. Potential candidates for Goodskills and potential employer partners can learn more by visiting Goodskillswny.org or by calling (716) 710-7114.

A delicious chicken and biscuits dinner was prepared and served by St. Luke’s Episcopal Church of Jamestown. Servers were Sandy Harle, Brian and Sandra Kearney, Fran Lapinski and Linda McCallum.

Anyone with questions or in need of services for themselves or a family member suffering from a mental health or substance use disorder is welcome to call or stop in at the Jamestown recovery center at Door 14 in the rear of the Gateway Center, 31 Water Street. It is open Monday – Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 7

p.m.; Friday, 9:30 a.m. –4:30 p.m.; and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Hours for the north county recovery center at Grace Lutheran Church, 601 Eagle Street in Dunkirk, are 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, and 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

The Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County is a peer recovery center offering support groups and individual coaching for people looking to improve their lives, deepen wellness, thrive in recovery, or support those on a recovery path. Peers use their personal stories to help people find recovery in their own lives in their own way.

To learn more about the Mental Health Association, call (716) 661-9044 or visit MHAChautauqua. org or facebook.com/ MHAChautauqua. A schedule with descriptions of MHA’s more than five dozen groups and classes is at MHAchautauqua. org/groups.

L.E.A.F.

WORKSHOPS ARE BACK AND IN FULL SWING

CCE-Chautauqua Announces Upcoming L.E.A.F. (Learn. Empower. Achieve. Farm.) Workshops

-BY CASSANDRA SKAL, AGRICULTURE PROGRAM COORDINATOR

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (March 31, 2023)

-- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Agriculture Program will offer 4 workshops over the next two weeks as part of their 2023 Spring L.E.A.F. (Learn. Empower. Achieve. Farm.) Workshop Series. The L.E.A.F. Workshop Series is open to the general public, including homesteaders, beginning farmers, established farmers looking to diversify and grow, agriculture enthusiasts, and everyone in between! The 2023 Spring LEAF series is providing 22 workshops to be held in March, April, and May.

“Business Planning for Beginning Farmers” will be the topic on Monday April 10th, to be held from 6:00-8:00pm at the JCC (Jamestown Campus) Carnahan Center, Room 123. Business plans for farms are often viewed as yet another chore to do, and usually result in dusty binders taking up space on the office shelf. This discussion-based workshop will walk you through the mental exercise of planning your future agricultural adventures. Participants will leave with a better understanding of the use of a business plan, the essential components, and a “to-do” list of things to think about to inform future planning efforts. Additional opportunities for one-on-one follow up will also be offered. FSA Borrower credits may be made available for your attendance. This workshop will be taught by Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Team Leader and Farm Business Management Specialist from the Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program with Cornell Cooperative Extension. She is a graduate of Cornell University with a degree in Animal Science and Ag Business Management and owns and operates a diversified livestock farm. The fee for this workshop is $5 per person.

“Part 1 of 4 Wool Series: Preparing Raw Wool for Use” will be held on Thursday, April 13th from 6:00-8:00pm at the JCC (Jamestown Campus) Carnahan Center. Do you have sheep? Are you interested in fiber sourced from sheep, llamas, alpacas? Want to learn how to prepare raw wool for spinning, felting, or any other of the wide range of uses for wool? This is the beginning of a great wool

series! This is the first workshop of four being led by Victoria Boehmer. In this workshop we will learn how to take raw wool and clean it and create roving which is what is used for most wool creations. Victoria Boehmer is a passionate fiber artist, teacher, and designer based in Pennsylvania. She is the owner of Tybout House, a local yarn store and fiber arts hub in Warren, PA. In addition to the yarn store, she and her family run Dragonwood Ranch, a small farm with Shetland Sheep. Victoria loves teaching, including all steps in the fiber production process: from sheep to finished product! At Tybout House, she and other enthusiasts practice a variety of fiber arts, and they are always eager to share their passion with others. Bring questions and be prepared to work with some raw fiber! We will have some wool provided but if you happen to have some laying around don’t be afraid to bring it with you! The fee for this workshop is $5 per person.

“Sewing 101” will be held on Wednesday April 19th from 6:00pm-8:00pm at the JCC (Jamestown Campus) Carnahan Center. Are you adult that wants to learn some sewing basics while creating a beautiful handmade apron? Join Nancy Johnson, 4-H Leader/Teacher, in making a 30 minute apron that will teach you how to read a simple pattern, cut out fabric, pin, sew straight lines, gather fabric, add trim, and much more. This is a great project for many levels and all are welcome! The fee for this workshop is $5 per person and does require you to bring a few supplies.

Biosecurity On The Farm” will be held on Saturday, April 22nd, from 10:00am-12:00pm at Bit-O-Breeze Farm in Jamestown, NY. Bit-O Breeze farm is a local pork producer that is committed to providing quality meat to consumers. Bio security on a farm is often overlooked but is a highly important step for your farms safety and wellbeing. This applies to farms that have animals, veggies, and/ or field crops. Some pests are so small that they can hitchhike on your boots or clothing without you even knowing they are there! Come learn and see some biosecurity initiatives that Bit-O-Breeze farm is following to ensure the safety and health of their pig operation!

Please dress to be outside and in a pig barn facility. Please be sure to wear clean clothes that have

not been in contact with other animals, especially pigs. Boot sanitation will be provided.

Each workshop will be 2 hours long and led by an experienced instructor. The LEAF workshops are designed to be interactive, so participants are encouraged to bring their questions and ideas to this collaborative environment!

Pre-registration is required prior to the workshop to allow for adequate time to prepare printed resources and materials. Interested participants can register online by visiting https:// chautauqua.cce.cornell. edu/agriculture/leaf-2023 or by emailing cks83@ cornell.edu, or by calling 716-664-9502 Ext 202.

The Agriculture 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.

Photo Submitted

Community outreach liaisons with Goodskills Career Builder, Gabby Rafan (pictured, left) and Bryan Boleratz were special guests at the March recovery luncheon of the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County. Located on the Jamestown Community College campus, Goodskills provides free targeted skills training and job placement services into higher wage careers.