The Self-Sufficient Homestead series: All classes begin at 5pm and take place at CCE Madison located at 100 Eaton Street in Morrisville unless otherwise noted. Refreshments provided.

Contact Patty Catalano for more info: patriciamae@cornell.edu or 315-684-3001 ext. 108

There are several payment options when you register. Please be sure to click 'RETURN TO MERCHANT' after submitting your Paypal payment or your registration payment will not go through! Please select from the following in the dropdown list:

• Pay for the Whole Series ($90.00 and includes a copy of the book: The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live it by John Seymour (a $17.00 value). Learn from someone who truly was self-sufficient. From growing your own crops to building structures, John Seymour did it all. *Note* John Seymour lived in Scotland, and while much of his book can be put to good use in our area, some of the growing recommendations have to be adjusted.

OR choose each class you'd like to attend individually; you will have to navigate back to this registration page for each class if you choose this option.

• 10/6 @5pm: Farming Through the Seasons ($5.00 or $10.00) - Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter, the tasks and the timing of those tasks in homesteading are very important. Learn about what to do in each season of the year and why. 

• 10/11 @5:30pm: Fermentation & Pickling ($5.00 or $10.00) - Learn about Kombucha and other food fermenting methods as well as some pickling practices from Alexis Woodcock; Master Preserver from CCE Chenango.  

• 10/13 @5pm: Making More Plants (plant propagation) ($5.00 or $10.00) - Learn how to make more plants from the ones you already have, cutting costs and using fewer resources to grow more of what you're already growing through taking cuttings, air-layering and more.

• 10/27 @5pm: Home Butchering ($5.00 or $10.00) - Learn the basics of home butchering (not for resale!) so you can efficiently slaughter your home herd, gaggle of geese, ducks or chickens. (tentative) This event has be rescheduled for the week of November 14th at Thistledew farms 7006 Bruce. Rd in Canastota; exact date and time TBD - Watch David butchering Thanksgiving turkeys and ask him all the questions.

• 11/3 @5pm: Soap-making ($5.00 or $10.00) - Did you butcher a pig last week? What do you do with all of that lard? Make soap! This is nothing fancy folks, just the good old lye-based soap your grandmother used to make. Makes a great pre-treatment for stains in the laundry and can be used for just about anything. (Adults only due to the caustic nature of lye) Update: this class has been rescheduled for Saturday, November 12th at 10am at CCE Madison; 100 Eaton St. Morrisville.

• 11/5 @10am: Meat Canning ($5.00 or $10.00) - SNAP-Ed lead Betty Clark will be doing a hands-on workshop canning meat! A great way to preserve your meat after the hunt or the home-butchering. Class attendees can return once the jars are cooled and take a jar home!

• 11/10 @5pm: Yogurt & Soft Cheesemaking ($5.00 to $10.00) - Using only natural cultures such as what is already in yogurt you buy at the store, you can make MORE yogurt and a soft farmer's cheese that's great on a bagel! Learn how to do the whole, two-day process in this single evening. And taste some of the cheese too of course! 

• 12/1 @5pm: Small-scale Winemaking ($5.00 or $10.00) - NOT for reselling, this class will teach the basics of turning water and fruit into wine that you can make at home. Learn about the different types of wine-makers' yeasts, the many different containers that you can use and how to go about getting a good tasting product! (tentative)

• 12/8 @5pm: Beekeeping Basics ($5.00 or $10.00) - Abe Yoder of Resilience Apiary in Canastota, will teach you the basics in the art of beekeeping. This class is a good introduction to anyone looking for assistance in getting started! Abe will talk about beginning and intermediate beekeeping practices in this 12/8 class with a possible advanced class in January (if enough interest is shown).

• Rescheduled to 12/29 @5pm: Enjoying the Fruits of Your Labors: From the Farm Potluck: Recipes from the Farm. Patty Catalano will share the ways she has learned to cook delicious meals with freshly canned ingredients from the farm. Enjoy Beans Molicotti and other unique farm fresh dishes. Bring your own dish to share and let's enjoy a meal together to finish out the series. If you need to use the kitchen in the Ag Center, arrangements can be made in advance, just let me know: patriciamae@cornell.edu!