Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County

Congratulations to Ashly Piedmont, Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator, for being named a 2026 Woman of Distinction by Assemblywoman Sarah Clark - AD 136! This is a well-deserved recogntion as Ashly is a true leader whose passion inspires others. Please join us in congratulating Ashly and all of this year's recipients!

A heartfelt thank you to Sandhya Sarlashkar, CCE Monroe Board President, for baking a delicious and beautiful cake to celebrate our staff! We truly appreciate your thoughtfulness...and you are an amazing baker! Wow!

Are you signed up for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) this season? By signing up, you provide local farmers with much-needed financial resources early in the year in exchange for receiving boxes of in-season, locally grown fresh produce throughout the season. The CSA model ensures farmers have a steady market throughout the season while CSA members benefit from healthy food. Explore our extensive CSA listing and join:

CSA Farm Listing Please check each farm's website/social media to confirm operating hours. CO = Certified Organic FP = Farmer's Promise Andy’s Specialty Garlic and Produce CSA (CO) - 1980 Parker Rd., Newark Andy's Website • Andy's Facebook [email protected], (585) 739-7888 Pick up...

🌱 What will you grow this year?🌻🏵 Join us on Saturday, June 6, from 9:00 AM–3:00 PM for our annual Plant Sale! Shop vegetable starts, pollinator-friendly flowers, and gardening treasures while meeting our Master Gardener volunteers and learning more about CCE programs. 🌎 Less packaging, fewer food miles, more pollinators, and more local food-gardening is a win for everyone. 🌱

A little bit of sun goes a long way! 🌞

With this week of sunshine and warm temps, South Lawn Farm has really sprung to life! Let us take you on a tour (and come for a tour in person during our June 6th 🏵Plant Sale🌸 this Saturday!):

- Potatoes are up and have had their first hilling! We are growing three varieties this year. Magic Molly (purple), AmaRosa (pink fingerling), and Lehigh (gold).🥔
- Under the row cover you will find collards, bunching broccoli, Napa cabbage, and a spring heading cabbage. We've been controlling brassica hungry pests by applying a dusting of diotamaceous earth after rainfalls. Also, check out that lush clover pathway!!☘️
- Carrots and beets have also been enjoying the protection of row cover! We learned the hard way last year (looking at you, deer).🥕
- Garlic scapes emerged this week!
- The strawberries are sizing up and starting to blush a little! Fingers crossed for the first quart next week?🍓
- Hot crops are in the ground! 🍅
- First harvest of the year! Lettuce! Each crop has a different method to harvest, wash, weigh and record, and package - all while following food safety protocols!🥬

Thanks for coming along!
🌱Team GROWS

☀️ Summer is here, and so are our new summer office hours!

Starting this week, our office will be open:
🌿 Monday - Thursday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
🌿 Friday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
We're grateful to be part of such a wonderful community and look forward to continuing to serve Monroe County throughout the summer season.

Don’t miss out this amazing Plant Sale 🪴 💐💚

Interested in food preservation but not sure where to start? Try making freezer jam! It’s quick and easy and a great beginner-friendly option if you have freezer space to store jam.

Always use trusted recipes and resources when preserving food. If you have questions, call us at 585-753-2550.

Here’s a reliable berry freezer jam recipe from the National Center for Home Food Preservation: https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/make-jam-jelly/jams/berry-jam-uncooked/

Did you know that shopping at farmers' markets and local farm stores also helps protect the environment? It is estimated that meals in the U.S. travel an average of 1,500 miles to get from farm to plate. It moves by plane, train, truck, or cargo ship, and each mode of transportation uses fossil fuels and emits carbon dioxide. "Food miles" also include the distance the consumer travels to acquire the food. Help lower the food's carbon footprint by shopping local and buying fresh!

🌱♻️ Small eco habits can make a BIG difference! Join us at the Farmers Market and stop by our table to learn easy, practical eco tips you can use at home, in your garden, and in your community 🌎💧From reducing waste to protecting our water and urban environment, we’ll be sharing simple ideas, hands-on activities, and resources for all ages! 📅 06.02.2026 ⏰ 4pm to 7pm. Come say hi, ask questions, and discover new ways to live a little greener 💚