CCE Sullivan Annual Report 2023

Extension Connection Volume XCIIV No. 2 | Annual Report

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Extension Connection (USPS-525-100) is published monthly for $25.00 enrollment by Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County, located at 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road, Suite 1, Liberty, NY 12754-2903. Entered at Liberty, New York, as a periodical class matter. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in section 412, Act of February 24, 1925.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Extension Connection, 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road, Suite 1, Liberty, NY 12754-2903.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with DisAbilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.

CCE Sullivan Staff

Board of Directors

Taylor Adam...........................................................Beginner Farmer Program Manager Vinny Bonizzi.................................................................................Ag Market Coordinator SueAnn Boyd...................................................Healthy Schools Program Coordinator Alan Carroll.................................................................Food Systems Program Manager Lynn Ringuette Colavito..................................Sullivan Fresh Program Coordinator Martin Colavito.......................................................Prevention Programs Issue Leader Haley Collins..........................Farmland Protection & Planning Program Manager Wanda V. Cruz......................................Healthy Communities Program Coordinator Aaron Denman....................................................Association Operations Coordinator Erin Doherty.....................................................................Prevention Program Educator Gene Doyle.............................................................................................................Custodian Kayla Evans.....................................................................................Ag Market Coordinator Katie Gasior...............................................................Horticulture Program Coordinator Christopher Jones....................................................Taste NY Operations Coordinator Joy Leon.............................................................Nutrition & Physical Activity Educator Katie Rose Lugauer.................................................................4-H Program Coordinator Erica Lynch.......................................................Catskills Kitchen Program Coordinator John Mastrangelo...............................................................Taste NY Assistant Manager Nancy McGraw.............................Caregiver Resource Center Program Coordinator Melinda Meddaugh..................................................Ag & Food Systems Issue Leader Colleen Monaghan...............................................................................Executive Director Vivian Monsanto...............................................................................Finance Coordinator Barbara Moran........................................4-H Youth Development Program Manager Bee Moser........................................................................SNAP-Ed New York Nutritionist Patricia Ocasio...........................................................Prevention Program Coordinator Shanice Owens.....................................................Sullivan Fresh Program Coordinator Vanessa Petrossian..............Program Director: Operations & Community Vitality Abyssinia Pla El..................................................................................Finance Coordinator Monica Ponce-Agredano...........................................Agriculture Program Assistant Michelle Proscia......................................Agriculture Production Program Manager Ann-Marie Sidtis....................................Drug Free Communities Program Assistant Tara VanHorn.............................................................................................Finance Manager Malinda Ware.......Program Director, Cornell University Statewide DEI Facilitator John Wilcox..............................................................................................Facilities Manager

Dara Smith.............................President Alex Alorro...................Vice President Denise Frangipane..............Secretary Dawn Parsons........................Treasurer Nadia Rajsz..................Legislative Rep. Adam Hughes.................Cornell Rep. Freda Eisenberg Amanda Langseder Denise Luckman Erika Malmgreen Steve Marton Gary Silver Gary Silverman Marcie Wild

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Program Advisory Committee Robert Kaplan Chairperson Heather Brown Roberta Chambers Eugene Thalmann Deborah Worden

Branching Out in 2023: Table of Contents

SNAP-Ed p. 6-7

Caregiver Resource Center Horticulture

p. 8-9

p. 10-11

Fresh Rx

Agriculture

p. 12-13

p. 16-17

CHSC p. 14-15

Energy Hubs

S.A.L.T p. 18-19

p. 22-23

4-H p. 20-21

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2023 By the Numbers Financial Support Estimate

Analysis of Estimated Expenses

Grants/Contracts 47% SUNY Fringe Benefits/224 29% Sullivan County Appropriation 17% Other Program Income 4% 1% Federal Smith Lever

86% 8% 5% 1%

Programs Administration Facilities Fundraising

Grants & Contracts Alzheimer’s Association, Hudson Valley Chapter NYS Office for the Aging, Sullivan County Office for the Aging Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County Cornell Univesrity Small Farms Program Cornell University, CCE Admin Federal Smith Lever, Cornell University Food Bank of the Hudson Valley Garnet Health (USDA) Health Research Incorporated Rotary District 7210 & Liberty Rotary NYS County Law 224 Funds NYS County Law 224 Funds NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets NYS Department of Environmental Conservation NYS Department of Environmental Conservation NYS Department of Health NYS Office of Addiction & Substance Abuse Services Sullivan County Department of Public Health Services Sullivan County Youth Bureau NYSERDA, Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Sullivan County Legislature United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), CCE Admin United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

CARES $22,065 Caregiver Resource Center & Tai Chi $50,600 SNAP-Ed $3,449 Poultry Education $1,500 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion $50,633 Core Federal Extension Funding $12,000 Sullivan Fresh Community Cupboard $26,108 Fresh RX $56,803 Sullivan Fresh Community Cupboard $17,000 Sullivan Fresh Community Cupboard $5,180 Core NYS Extension Funding $112,066 $1,064,542 Core NYS Extension Funding: Benefits $447,500 Welcome Center & Taste NY, ShopTasteNY.com Farmers Market Resiliency Project $50,000 NY Food for Families $50,000 2021 Community Growers $32,138 2022 Community Growers $35,049 $100,000 Community Cupboard Equipment Grant Zero Waste Food System Demonstration Project $9,300 $330,000 Creating Healthy Schools & Communities (CHSC) $300,000 Community Prevention & Intervention Project (CPIP) Fresh RX: Food in Medicine $9,689 4-H Youth Development Program $10,000 Mid Hudson Energy Hubs $63,000 $125,000 Drug Free Communities: SALT $699,300 Core County Extension Funding: Appropriation, Ag $464,249 New & Beginning Farmer Program $237,667 Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) $17,000 Rural Health & Safety Education $70,000 Food Safety Outreach Program (FSOP) Page 4

Dear Friends of Extension, Welcome to CCE Sullivan’s 2023 Annual Report to the Community.

Annually, our report designer Lindsay, meets with the full CCE Sullivan staff to reflect on the previous year’s local Extension activities to identify a theme for the year’s work. We brainstorm words and imagery that help tie our programming together in a comprehensive story to highlight the values and outreach accomplished with and for you, our readers and constituency.

After several round robins and polls, the 2023 annual report theme is Branching Out. As folks were more and more comfortable and anxious to get back together in person and out in the community, we maintained our roots of providing research backed education and outreach, while providing more in-person workshops and gatherings at the Extension Education Center and in community settings like schools, farms, child care centers, libraries, and summer camps than we have since 2019 wrapped up.

We hope you like what you see and read in these pages, and look forward to another year of bringing you high quality opportunities to engage with Extension in Sullivan County, and each other.

Enjoy!

Dara Smith, Board President

Colleen Monaghan, Executive Director

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SNAP-Ed

Hudson Valley Region Workshops & Series

ReThink Your Drink Eating Healthy on A Budget CATCH: GO Activities, GO Foods, and GO Drinks Build a Healthy You with MyPlate Mindfully Balanced Water You Drinking?

Upgrade Your Order Customize a Healthy You Choose a Healthy Breakfast Snack Wise Fruit and Vegetables: Fear Factor Leah’s Pantry Healthy for Life (with the American Heart Association)

“My doctor told me to eat more fiberrich foods and now that I know where to find fiber, I’ll choose more whole grains, fruits, and veggies.”

COMMUNITY-BASED Program Participant “When we saw how much sugar was in that cup [of soda] all of our collective jaws hit the floor. Seeing that amount of sugar blew us away. After that lesson, many of my students told me they’d try harder to not drink those sugary drinks as often anymore because of how much sugar, they now realized, is in those drinks. I made a promise to them as well that I would try harder not to drink those drinks.”

School-Based Program Participant “I will only watch my totally favorite show on the screen but after that I will go outside to play.”

HUNTER, SECOND GRADER

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Funding SourceS NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance SUNY/224

231 Program OfferingS See list at left

SNAP-ED REACH 39,160 Indirect Contacts 2,838 Direct Contacts

147 TEACHING HOURS

PHOTO OPPOSITE PAGE: SNAP-Ed Senior Nutritionist Bee Moser has fun with students after a CATCH program.

PHOTO ABOVE: Bee gives a demo at the Sullivan Fresh Monticello Market.

PHOTO RIGHT: Whoa! Look how much fat in a donut!

CHERRY TREE Prunus avium In the spring, pollinators such as bees, birds, and butterflies flock to the delicate pink and white cherry tree blossoms. The pollinators spread the pollen around, just as we hope those who attend SNAP-Ed programs, gather and spread what they’ve learned to others.

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Welcome Nancy McGraw In 2023, CCE Sullivan welcomed new Caregiver Resource Center (CRC) Program Coordinator Nancy McGraw to the team.

Now trained in the Alzheimer’s Association curriculum, Tai Chi for Fall Prevention, and Caregiver Support, Nancy hit the ground running and focused on connecting more local folks with the CRC. Nancy is pictured here giving a presentation on the “10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s” to the Monticello Rotary Club in December.

Page 8

Workshops & Series Caregiver Counseling, Information, Assistance & Referral Weekly Virtual Caregiver Support Group Monthly Virtual Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group Bimonthly Caregiver Café Understanding Alzheimer’s & Dementia 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Healthy Living for Your Brain & Body Caregiver Resource Fairs/Tabling Events

Funding SourceS Sullivan County Office for the Aging Alzheimer’s Association, Hudson Valley SUNY/224

23 Program OfferingS See list at left

CRC REACH 6,181 Indirect Contacts 30 Direct Contacts

28 outreach HOURS

WILLOW TREE Salix alba

BRANCHING OUT TO CAREGIVERS, VIRTUALLY Research shows that participation in a support group can reduce caregiver stress and improve quality of life for both caregiver and care receiver. CCE Sullivan facilitates a weekly Caregiver Support Group held virtually. The group provides an opportunity for caregivers to listen, learn, and share in a safe space while finding assistance with caregiving concerns.

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Willows are fastgrowing trees found near water sources.

They are known for extremely strong roots.

Throughout history, and in many different cultures, various parts of the willow tree have been used in healing and comforting treatments.

Horticulture Programs Spotted Lantern Fly Market Demos Integrated Pest Management in the Home Garden Sensory Garden for Kids Seed Starting at Sleepy Hollow Planting a Garden at Sleepy Hollow Invasive Species Demo at Office for the Aging Starting an Herb Garden at Evergreen Garden Gardening Basics at Evergreen Garden Young Tree Care & Planting Horticulture Presentation at Sullivan 180 Catskills Edible Garden Coordinators Gathering Invasive Species Tabling & Outreach

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Funding SourceS

“The community garden (pictured opposite page) was beautiful and bountiful this year.

It was amazing to witness the life cycle of the plants, from seedling to harvest!”

-ANONYMOUS

Sullivan County NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets SUNY/224

650 CONTACTS 15 Program OfferingS See list at left

40 TEACHING HOURS BRANCHING OUT TO YOUNG GARDENERS Katie Gasior, CCESC’s Horticulture Program Coordinator, guides one of her young workshop participants through the process of safely transferring plants to a bigger pot!

RED BUD TREE Malus domestica Redbud trees signal spring’s start with bright pinkish-purple blossoms that cover each tree limb.

These hardy, small trees feature a signature heartshaped leaf that provides a welcoming symbol anywhere these trees are planted - just as all are welcome to CCE Sullivan’s community garden.

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PEACH TREE Prunus persica

Fresh Rx

Produce Prescription

Many folks are surprised to learn that peaches grow throughout the Northeast, including our Catskills region.

Peaches are plentiful at farmers markets in late summer.

Program with

Garnet Health “Joy [the workshop instructor] was very clear and informative.”

Workshops & Series

SUSAN

Eat Healthy, Be Active Cooking Matters Market Demonstrations: • Eating a Variety of Colorful Fruits & Veggies • Nutrition Facts Lowdown • Name that Fruit or Vegetable • Healthy Drinks Taste Test • Make a Veggie Superhero • Choose Whole Grains • Snack Attack • Sugar Overload • Putting Whole Grains to the Test

“[The best thing about the demonstration was the] instructor’s subject knowledge, interest, and enthusiasm…and sense of humor!

Thank you for this opportunity and for your openness to suggestions.

Insightful class!”

RON “This class was so, so fun. I can’t wait for the next class and I like the fact that everyone was so involved.”

LOUISE

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Funding SourceS USDA through Garnet Health SUNY/224

REACH 59 Direct Contacts 7,949 Indirect Contacts

55 Program OfferingS See list at left

TIME 52.5 Teaching Hours 64.5 Outreach Hours

RX INCENTIVES $918 Rx Incentives Issued $451 Rx Incentives Redeemed

PHOTOS TOP TO BOTTOM: Joy giving a presentation at the Sullivan Fresh Farmers Market in Monticello.

Kids are playing a game that makes it fun to learn about nutrition.

Joy and a cooking demo attendee are all smiles after the event at the Sullivan Fresh Farmers Market in Monticello.

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Creating

Healthy

Schools & Communities

Apple Tree Malus domestica Apples symbolize knowledge and learning. Giving apples to teachers began in 16th Scandanavia and continued to frontier America. Families who couldn’t pay teachers for their child to attend school, would give baskets of apples and other food to compensate.

Workshops & Series Yoga & Mindfulness for Pre-K & Toddlers Accessing Funding Resources for Safe Routes to Parks, Safe Routes to Schools, Active Friendly Routes to Everyday Destinations, Physical Activity Access (PAA) Education, Assessment, Development of Policies and Procedures, Mini-grant Funding, and Technical Assistance for Schools and Communities in Physical Activity Access (PAA) & Food Service Guidelines (FSGs) Pedestrian Counts Improve Accessibility for Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure and Street Connectivity

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“What a wonderful asset CCE Sullivan is to our community.”

Jaclyn D., Roscoe Central School District

Funding Source New York State Department of Health

5 Program OfferingS See list at left

“Upon reflecting on this school year, I am very thankful for the support and encouragement our district has received from SueAnn Boyd at CCE Sullivan. She never gives up on us and that is truly appreciated.”

LU, TRI-VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

“Thank you for everything! Your help has blessed our program tremendously.”

Autumn C., TLC Daycare

CATCHMENT AREAS Bethel Fallsburg Liberty Mamakating Monticello Sullivan County Schools Sullivan County Government Thompson Woodridge Wurtsboro

6 TEACHING HOURS 1824 outreach HOURS CHSC Reaches 19 School Buildings 8 Districts + BOCES 8859 Students 946 Staff Members

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Agriculture & Food Systems

SUGAR MAPLE Tree Acer saccharum

Workshops & Series FSMA Health & Hygiene Farm Worker Training SARE Broiler Grant Farmer Discussion Circle Cornell Small Farms: Intro to Poultry Production (6 part series) Cornell Small Farms: Writing a Business Plan (6 part series) Farm Business Plans (6 part series) Ag Municipal Training Series: Ag Districts vs Ag Assessments Branding Basics + 23 Social Media Strategies for 2023 Farm to School Producer and Distributor Meet Up Intro to Poultry Production Getting Started With Pigs Food Business Training (6 part series) Growing Healthy Soils with Cover Crops: Bobolink Farm The Nuts & Bolts of High Tunnels: Sprouting Dreams Farm Get Reel: Photography and Video Tips Create Pics and Videos with Canva Beef Quality Assurance Workshop Farmer Mixers at BashaKill Vineyards, Majestic Farm, Hidden Acre Farm, Somewhere in Time Farm

Sullivan County is home to many maple syrup operations which turn the sap of the sugar maple tree into delicious, ambercolored syrup.

Research Projects Northeast Sustainable Ag Research & Education Grant Project: “Broiler Production & Efficiency Research

Cornell Work Project Teams NYS Agri-Tourism Work Team NYS Livestock Program Work Team

Ag & Food System Projects Farm to School Agricultural Jobs Produce Prescription Program (Sullivan Fresh Bucks & Fresh Rx) Farm to Food Pantry Agricultural District Eight Year Review Beginner Farmer Program Catskills Kitchen Food Business Incubator Sullivan Fresh Market on the Move

Page 16

“As second generation farmers in Sullivan County, the CCE Sullivan Ag team has been an invaluable resource. Melinda Meddaugh crafted an individualized roadmap of needed farm improvements, connecting them with potential federal, state, and local funding. Michelle Proscia came to our farm, conducted soil tests, visited our livestock and gave advice on how to do better...our farm has benefited greatly from their generous help and assistance!”

Funding SourceS

The Lee Family, Bella Poultry Inc.

AG & FOOD REACH

Sullivan County USDA NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets SUNY/224 Garnet Health Cornell Small Farms

416 Direct Contacts 3,092 Indirect Contacts 73 Farm Visits LEFT: Local farmer Brenda Miller interacts with participants at a Beginner Farmer workshop!

BELOW: Selling produce from local farmers to residents at the Sullivan Fresh Farmers’ Market.

41 Program OfferingS See list at left

$28,546 Amount of local and NYS farm and food products purchased from 12 farms

$33,975 Sullivan Fresh Farmers Markets Gross Sales

BRANCHING OUT TO BEGINNER FARMERS Our new Beginner Farmer program connects those just starting out in agriculture with established farmers.

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Partners Action Toward Independence Assemblyperson Aileen Gunther Corona House Catholic Charities of Orange & Sullivan Counties Denniston Hill Early Bird Cookery ENGN Independent Living Liberty Central School District Liberty Police Department Monticello Police Department Ramapo Catskills Library System, Sullivan County Rotary, Liberty and Monticello Sullivan 180 Sullivan County BOCES Sullivan County Government Sullivan County Residents Sullivan County District Attorney Town of Liberty

OAK TREE Quercus Alba Oak trees are a keystone species, an entire ecosystem relies upon their existence. Up to 2,300 species - from birds to deer, butterflies to moths depend upon the oak tree for habitat, food, and more. Like SALT, the oak tree provides reliable strength and support for all within the local ecosytem.

“There should be more programs like SALT. You always answer the phone!”

ANONYMOUS PERSON WE ASSISTED “You came back, nobody ever comes back here!”

ANONYMOUS PERSON WE ASSISTED CONTEXT: After running out of food on the Community Cupboard truck, we told a person living in a hotel that we were out, but would come back right away with food for them.

“I talked to John and he said the food delivery improved his mental state.”

CASE WORKER, SULLIVAN COUNTY

Programs Sullivan Fresh Community Cupboard Mobile Food Pantry Drug Free Communities (DFC) Youth Substance Use Prevention Program Community Prevention & Intervention Programs (CPIP): Preventure, Teen Intervene, Strengthening Families Community Outreach Harm Reduction Resource/Referral/Navigation to Services Agency Collaboration and Support

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Funding SourceS CDC Neighbor Support NYS Office of Alcohol & Substance Abuse Services NYS Dept. of Health Sullivan County SUNY/224

1,500 DIRECT CONTACTS Local law enforcement play with kids to build positive relationships.

2,150 OUTREACH HOURS 50 Referrals 7 PROGRAM OFFERINGS See list at left

DISTRIBUTED ITEMS 1,600 Naloxone Kits 2,000 Xylazine Testing Strips 2,000 Fentanyl Testing Strips 2,000 Deterra Kits

240,000 MEALS SERVED 156,000 POUNDS of food distributed through Sullivan Fresh

1,200 PEOPLE SERVED Page 19

4-H

Program

Pictured at left is a group of 4-Hers ready to take on the Sullivan County Youth Fair. At right is a 4-Her showing her accomplishments at Public Presentations.

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Workshops & Series Fiber Arts for All (FAFA) Crafty Clovers Horse Program Goat Program Rabbit Program Alpaca Program Poultry Program Dog Program Baking Programs Ag in the Classroom Sullivan County Youth Fair Public Presentations

Funding SourceS YOUTH BRANCHING OUT THROUGH PUBLIC SPEAKING In 2023, there was a large increase in the number of Sullivan County kids that worked on the skill of public speaking through participation in the program. Over 80 youth presented to judges at the county level, and 6 continued on to the Southeast district level. Several youth utilized this program as an opportunity to speak to Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce members about the Annual

Agriculture and Livestock Auction, asking for support for the event.

Sullivan County Government Sullivan County Youth Bureau SUNY/224

52 Program OfferingS See list at left

4-H REACH 1,151 Direct Contacts

123 TEACHING HOURS 1,064

“Having witnessed my daughter’s 4-H public presentations over the past few years, I can confidently say that she has learned so much in organization, research, and public speaking skills. Public speaking is like a superpower in the real world! It’s not just about standing in front of a crowd; it’s about confidently expressing your thoughts, captivating an audience, and making a lasting impression.”

JENN P. As a 4-H alumni I believe the Public Presentation programs have benefited me and many others. As we have learned to speak in front of one person or several people doing public presentations, you also learn how to put your thoughts and ideas together, which is an asset as an adult in the real world.”

ERIN E.

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Sullivan County Youth Fair Entries

DOUGLAS FIR TREE Pseudotsuga menziesii Scientist Suzanne Simard discovered that trees communicate through underground root and fungus systems. Douglas Fir trees nurture their own saplings, providing carbon and even moving their roots to create space for growing trees. Like a strong, well-established fir tree, CCE Sullivan’s 4-H program provides young folks with the knowledge and resources to grow and thrive.

Mid-Hudson

Energy Hub

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BRANCHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY

Funding SourceS

With assistance from NYSERDA, program educators identified gaps in community knowledge of energy topics and available programs. Then, they increased the HUB’s outreach efforts across the 7-county region.

NYSERDA SUNY/224

30 OUTREACH EVENTS 3,620 CONTACTS within Sullivan County

1,836 HOURS of outreach within the Mid-Hudson region

TREE LIGHTING TRADITION Placing lights on trees originated in 16th century Germany: Sources note Martin Luther was the first to add lit candles to a tree having been inspired by stars sparkling among pines as he walked home during Christmastime.

“Everybody is hurting from higher energy costs.

But not a lot of people know what exactly to do about it. As an Energy Advisor within the Clean Energy Hub, I can be an educator or a resource for helping people address their energy issues.

That is my motivation for doing my job.”

-Frankie Lede, Energy Advisor CCE Smart Energy Sources Mid-Hudson Team Page 23

WHITE PINE TREE Pinus strobus Native to the Northeast, this popular Christmas tree variety holds its needles well. The Haudenosaunee call it the “Tree of Peace” and it’s a key symbol in their confederacy.

AMERICAN BEECH TREE Fagus grandifolia The beech tree thrives in a community of other trees. Beech trees are often found in forests growing alongside maple, birch, and hemlock.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County Rooted in Our Mission to Serve Sullivan County.

Our mission is to share researchbased education, outreach, and opportunities in response to Sullivan County’s needs in the areas of Agriculture, Nutrition, Family, and Environment.

Our local vision is that Cornell Cooperative Extension will be a key partner with the community in improving the quality of life in Sullivan County by employing the latest technology, research-based education, and inclusive programming.

CCE Sullivan actively supports equal educational and employment opportunities. No person shall be denied admission to any educational program or activity or be denied employment on the basis of any legally prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, color, religion, political beliefs, national or ethnic origin, sex, gender/ gender identity, transgender status, sexual orientation, age, marital or family status, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. CCE is committed to the maintenance of affirmative action programs that will assure the continuation of such equality of opportunity.