Kitchen Garden Tours
6:00 or 6:30 pm until dark, Dates t.b.a.
We will be scheduling several kitchen garden tours in August. See how gardeners cope with the challenges and reap the rewards of growing their own food. Favorite varieties, garden practices, deer exclusion, and other topics will be discussed. Fee: $5. Call or email Pat Curran at Cooperative Extension, 272-2292 or pc21@cornell.edu for information on dates and locations.

Calling All Gardeners! Tips for Successful Gardening
Monday, August 4, 6:00-8:00 pm
Brooktondale Community Center
Four Gardening Question and Answer Sessions will be held in August in villages in Tompkins County. Pat Curran, Horticulture Educator, will field questions on a wide variety of gardening topics. These sessions are all free and open to the public. Two pH tests on soil samples will be done at each site on a first come, first served, basis. Come to one, or all! No preregistration is necessary, but call Pat Curran at 272-2292 if you have questions about these sessions.
Other upcoming dates:
Wednesday, August 6, Danby Reading Room (Danby Town Hall), 6:30-8:30 pm
Tuesday, August 19, Newfield Library, 6:30-8:30 pm
Tuesday, August 26, Ulysses Philomathic Library, Trumansburg, 6:30-8:30 pm

Ithaca Children's Garden "Turtle Time"
Tuesdays, August 5-September 16, 6:00-7:00 pm
Ithaca Children's Garden, Cass Park, Rt. 89 Ithaca
Families are invited to spend the evening with Gaia the Turtle in her Wetland Habitat. Explorations and hands-on activities about water, wetlands, plants, insects, and turtles. All ages welcome. For more information contact Leigh MacDonald-Rizzo 272-2292 x186 or lam26@cornell.edu.

Dividing Bearded Irises and Other Perennials
Tuesday, August 5, 6:00-8:00 pm
August is the right time to divide bearded and dwarf irises and some other perennials. Come prepared to work at this hands-on workshop. We will tackle donated clumps, but participants can also bring clumps from home to divide. Rain or shine (indoors if wet). Fee: $5. Limited to 15 participants; prepayment required. For information, call 272-2292 or email Pat Curran at pc21@cornell.edu.

Summer Sprouts
Wednesdays, August 6-September 17, 10:00-11:00 am
Ithaca Children's Garden, Cass Park, Rt. 89, Ithaca
Experience the wonders or gardening through stories and hands-on activities. Especially for young children ages 2-5 and their caregivers. Each session includes a story, hands-on activity, and gardening in the Growing Gardens. For more information, contact Leigh MacDonald-Rizzo 272-2292 x186 or email: lam26@cornell.edu.

Canning for Beginners
Saturday, August 6, 12:30-3:00 pm
W'e'll be learning how to safely preserve foods using a boiling water bath canner and up-to-date methods. Fee $15. Advance registration and pre-payment required. For more information, call Carole Fisher at 272-2292 or email crf11@cornell.edu.

Calling All Gardeners! Tips for Successful Gardening
Wednesday, August 6, 6:30-8:30 pm
Danby Reading Room, Danby Town Hall
Four Gardening Question and Answer Sessions will be held in August in villages in Tompkins County. Pat Curran, Horticulture Educator, will field questions on a wide variety of gardening topics. These sessions are all free and open to the public. Two pH tests on soil samples will be done at each site on a first come, first served, basis. Come to one, or all! No preregistration is necessary, but call Pat Curran at 272-2292 if you have questions about these sessions.
Other upcoming dates:
Tuesday, August 19, Newfield Library, 6:30-8:30 pm
Tuesday, August 26, Ulysses Philomathic Library, Trumansburg, 6:30-8:30 pm

Garden Discoveries
Thursdays, August 7-28, 10:00-11:00 am
Ithaca Children's Garden, Cass Park, Rt. 89, Ithaca
There are tons of discoveries to be made at the Ithaca Children's Garden. Drop by every Thursday morning to explore the Garden through science experiments, art projects, scavenger hunts, and gardening activities. For more information, contact Leigh MacDonald-Rizzo 272-2292 x186 or email lam26@cornell.edu
August 7: Wacky Weather
August 14: Paper Making
August 21: A Buzz About Bugs
August 28: Cattail Creations

Finger Lakes Culinary Bounty Harvest Dinner
Thursday, August 7, 6:30-9:30 pm
Geneva-on-the-Lake, Geneva, NY
A locally sourced five course gourmet dinner paired with Finger Lakes Wines and stories of the farmers, producers, winemakers and the chefs themselves. Geneva on the Lake, 6:30pm - 9:30pm. Tickets required. For information, call Liz Karabinakis at 272-2292 or email evk4@cornell.edu. For reservations call 315-789-7190.

Farm City Day
Saturday, August 9, 11:00 am-4:00 pm
Angel Tree Farm Alpacas, 554 Scofield Road on the border of Lansing & Groton
Spend the day on a working farm learning about agriculture. Hands-on, interactive exhibits, scheduled activities throughout the day - fun for the whole family! Debbie Teeter, 272-2292 for more information. Free.

Save Energy, Save Dollars
Thursday, August 14, 6:30-8:30 pm
Participants will learn about low-cost and no-cost ways to reduce their energy usage and about programs that can help them afford energy-efficiency improvements. Each participating household will receive a free kit of energy-saving items worth $15. This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required. Call CCE to reserve a seat at (607) 272-2292 or email Carole Fisher at crf11@cornell.edu.

Local Foods Culinary Passport
August 15- September 30
Have your Culinary Passport stamped during this year's Celebration of Local Foods. Eleven restaurants will highlight the freshest most delicious foods from local farms during the month of August. Diners who receive 6 or more stamps in their passports at participating restaurants will be entered into a fanstastic grand prize drawing. Passports available in August at participating restaurants, Cooperative Extension Tompkins County, and the Tompkins County Visitors Center. For more information, contact Liz Karabinakis at 272-2292 or evk4@cornell.edu.

Kids Gardening Club
Saturdays, August 16-30, 10:00-11:00 am
Young gardeners welcome! Learn basic gardening skills while helping out in the Growing Gardens. Adopt a plot and choose what to grow. Projects and plants to take home. All ages welcome. For more information, contact Leigh MacDonald-Rizzo 272-2292 x186 or email lam26@cornell.edu.
August 16: What Weed Where
August 23: Wacky Weather
August 30: Harvest and Salsa Making

Midsummer Fairy Gardens: A Family Fun Workshop
Saturday August 16, 1:00-2:30 pm
Ithaca Children's Garden, Cass Park, Rt. 89 Ithaca
Summer is a magical time when fairies often visit the human world. Learn how to invite fairies to your garden. Build fairy houses, mix-up fairy dust, weave a wand, and experience fairy magic at the Ithaca Children's Garden. For all ages. $5 per child or $10 per family. Please register by noon, Friday August 15. For more information contact Leigh MacDonald-Rizzo at 272-2292 x186 or email: lam26@cornell.edu.

Farm Trail Open House Weekend
Saturday & Sunday, August 16 & 17, 12:00-5:00 pm
Gather up friends and family and hit the Farm Trail! Visit with local farmers, enjoy the scenery, taste the harvest and support local organic and sustainable farms. Bring a cooler and buy farm fresh products along the way. 11 farms to choose from featuring antique apples, specialty cheeses, u-pick crops, grazing livestock, and more. Your Farm Trail Tour Button ($2/person or $5 for 4 buttons) id your entry to the farms for one or both days. Buttons and maps are available at Cooperative Extension, Ithaca Farmers’ Market or at the Farms on the day of the tour. For a tour brochure and more information, call Liz Karabinakis at 607-272-2292!

Calling All Gardeners! Tips for Successful Gardening
Tuesday, August 19, 6:30-8:30 pm
Newfield Library, Newfield NY
Four Gardening Question and Answer Sessions will be held in August in villages in Tompkins County. Pat Curran, Horticulture Educator, will field questions on a wide variety of gardening topics. These sessions are all free and open to the public. Two pH tests on soil samples will be done at each site on a first come, first served, basis. Come to one, or all! No preregistration is necessary, but call Pat Curran at 272-2292 if you have questions about these sessions.
Other upcoming dates:
Tuesday, August 26, Ulysses Philomathic Library, Trumansburg, 6:30-8:30 pm

Consumer Issues Programs: Landlord/Tenant Rights & Responsibilities
Wednesday, August 20, 11:00 am-1:00 pm
A NY State Attorney General's Office representative will make a brief presentation, then consult with individuals on unresolved consumer problems until 1 pm. Free and open to the public. No appointment is needed. Presentations are taped and broadcast on Cable Access Channel 15 on Mondays at 7 am, 1 pm & 7 pm.

Fine Field Dining
Sunday, August 24, 6:00 pm
Sweetland Farm, 9732 Route 96, north of Trumansburg
Experience an elegant 4-course dinner hosted by an area CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm featuring foods from the farm prepared by outstanding local chefs. Each course is paired with Finger Lakes wines. Limited to 75 seats. $60/ ticket or a party of four (4 tickets for the same dinner) for $200; Children under 12 dine free. Dinner will be prepared by Hazelnut Kitchen paired with Atwater Vineyard wines. 100% of proceeds support CSA shares for low income families. Upcoming dinners in the series include:

Sunday, Sept. 21 at Early Morning Organic Farm, Genoa. Menu by Willow with Wines from Bet the Farm
Sunday, Oct. 5 at Stick & Stone Farm, Ithaca. Menu by Watercress with Wines from Silver Thread Vineyard
Sunday, Nov. 9 at Westhaven Farm, EcoVillage/Ithaca. Menu by Just a Taste with Wines from King Ferry Winery

For reservations/payment, contact Edible Finger Lakes at 607-272-2510 or info@ediblefingerlakes.com. For all other inquiries, contact Liz Karabinakis at 607-272-2292 or evk4@cornell.edu.

Basil Festival
Sunday August 24, 1:00-3:00 pm
Ithaca Children's Garden, Cass Park, Rt. 89, Ithaca
Celebrate the wonders of this amazing herb with activities for the whole family including taste-tests, pesto-making, basil art, basil, science, and more!
$1 per person. For more information contact Leigh MacDonald-Rizzo at 272-2292 x186 or email: lam26@cornell.edu.

Calling All Gardeners! Tips for Successful Gardening
Tuesday, August 26, 6:30-8:30 pm
Ulysses Philomatic Library, Main Street, Trumansburg NY
Pat Curran, Horticulture Educator, will field questions on a wide variety of gardening topics at this question-and-answer session. Free and open to the public. Two pH tests on soil samples will be done on a first come, first served, basis.No preregistration is necessary, but call Pat Curran at 272-2292 if you have questions about the session.

Ithaca Children's Garden Volunteer Days
Saturday, August 30, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Ithaca Children's Garden, Cass Park, Rt. 89 Ithaca
Get your hands dirty helping the Ithaca Children's Garden grow. Volunteer to help maintain and build new gardens. All ages welcome.
For more information contact Meghan Pressley Cerveny 272-2292 x122 or mep245@cornell.edu.

Recycle the Harvest: A Family Fun Workshop
Saturday, August 30, 1:00-2:00 pm
Ithaca Children's Garden, Cass Park, Rt. 89 Ithaca
Reuse and transform "trash" into gardening essentials. Create a harvest tote bage, a watering can, and your own pots. Help with the harvest and sowing a Fall crop. For ages 5 and up. $5 per child or $10 per family. Please register by noon, Friday August 29. For more information, contact Leigh MacDonald-Rizzo at 272-2292 x186 or email lam26@cornell.edu.

Compost with Confidence
Last Saturday of every month (June through October), 12:00 noon-1:00 pm
Compost Demonstration Site, Ithaca Community Gardens (near the Farmers’ Market)
Master Composter volunteers will provide information and give hands-on demonstrations to help you set up and manage a composting system in any setting. Each class will cover the basics of composting to teach you how to manage a successful system with minimal effort. Visit the workshop(s) of your choice to also learn about: