The Catskill Chronicle

LIBERTY, NY (April 24, 2015) – Home gardeners and new farmers can learn to grow their own food this spring. An introductory workshop on Basic Vegetable Gardening will be held on Thursday, May 7 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County (CCESC)’s Master Gardener Volunteer program will offer this class at its Gerald J. Skoda Extension Education Center on 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road in Liberty.

Local farmer Adrianne Picciano, better known as the “Dirt Diva”, will present on how to successfully grow many different vegetables. Topics to be covered include: soil preparation, best planting practices, and best varieties to grow in local hardiness zones.

Cost is $20.00 per person or $15.00 for CCESC enrollees. Registration with non-refundable payment is required in advance. Only payment reserves a seat.

Anyone can enroll in CCESC for an annual donation of $25.00 per household. Enrollees must identify membership status at time of payment to receive discounts.

Registration and more information can be obtained by calling 845-292-6180, emailing srb46@cornell.edu, or visiting www.sullivancce.org.

The Master Gardener Volunteer program is a national corps of volunteers trained in the science and art of gardening who work in partnership with their county Cooperative Extension office to expand educational outreach throughout the community by providing home gardeners with research-based information. For more information on the CCESC Master Gardener Volunteer program, contact Susan Dollard, Community Horticulture Educator, at smd243@cornell.edu.