December Extension Connection 2017

USPS-525-100

Extension Connection

YOUR LINK TO LOCAL, RESEARCH-BASED SOLUTIONS TO BETTER YOUR LIFE

VOLUME LXXXXVIII NO. 12

DECEMBER 2017

Dozens of families and supporters celebrated youth accomplishments for 4-H Achievement Night 2017 at Bethel Woods.

Upcoming U pcoming Events Events & Programs Programs

Issue Issue Highlights Hiigh ghliigh ghts

4-H Winter Workshops

The Four P’s of Marketing

Capturing Money Using QuickBooks

Storing Vegetables in the Winter

103rd CCESC Annual Meeting

Keep Winter at Bay, Get Jump on Spring

Finding the Right Funding Program

Should I Freeze My Credit Report?

Poinsettia Fundraiser

10 Tips to Make Physical Activity a Part of Your Day

Youth Snowmobile Safety DIY Pet Treats Credit Management Class Emergency Preparedness Youth Dog Program See page 12 for more events!

Hessingers Dedicate New Flags to CCE Community Guest Editorial: Calico Geese Quilters Caregivers: Difficult Discussions around Money See page 14 for poinsettia FAQ’s and an order form due December 8!

Welcome W elcome to to the the Issue!

Issue!

Table Table of of Contents Contents

Page 3 Message from the Executive Director

Page 9 10 Tips to Make Physical Activity Part of Your Day

Page 4 The Four P’s of Marketing

Page 10 Dedication of New Flags Connects Extension to Its History

Page 5 Attention Farmers!

Editorial of the Month Page 19 Credit Management Class at Daniel Pierce Library Page 20 CCESC Spotlights

Page 6 Storing Vegetables in the Winter

Page 11 DIY Pet Treats

Page 22 Opportunities for You

Page 12 Upcoming Programs

Page 24 Sponsorships

Page 7 Keep Winter at Bay & Get a Jump on Spring

Page 13 Finding the Right Funding

Page 26 Caregivers: Difficult Discussions around Money

Page 8 Should I Freeze My Credit Report?

Page 16 In Case You Missed It

Page 8 Scam Alert

Page 14 Poinsettia FAQ’s Page 17 Monthly DHI Report

Page 28 2017 Census of Agriculture: Respond Now!

Page 18 Community Guest

The 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.

REGULAR OFFICE HOURS

EXTENSION CONNECTION

8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday-Friday Phone: 845-292-6180 Fax: 845-292-4946 Website: www.sullivancce.org E-mail: sullivan@cornell.edu Twitter.com/ccesullivan Facebook.com/ccesullivan Instagram.com/cce_sullivan_county

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2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Donna Willi..................................President Robert Kaplan.....................Vice President John Kiefer...................................Secretary Dawn Boyes.................................Treasurer Todd Brown Amy Erlwein Pamela Fisk Sonja Hedlund John “JP” Lang Earl Myers Klu Padu Luisa Parker Glenn Pontier Mark McCarthy, Legislative Representative

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Edited by: Nicole Slevin & Colleen Monaghan

Produced by: Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County 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.

NOTICE: Official endorsement of advertisers and their products is not intended by the acceptance of their advertisements for the Extension Connection.

STAFF MEMBERS Colleen Monaghan............................................................................Executive Director SueAnn Boyd......................................................................Healthy Schools Coordinator Wanda V. Cruz...........................................................Healthy Communities Coordinator Dayna Gaeta.........................................................Community Horticulture Coordinator Beth Johnston-Groth..................................................................Administrative Assistant Marylin Jones..........................................................................4-H Program Coordinator Bonnie Lewis..........................................................................Dependent Care Educator Michelle Lipari...............................................................................Agriculture Educator Erica Lynch.......................................................................Catskills Kitchen Coordinator Melinda Meddaugh.....................................................Ag & Food Systems Team Leader Barbara Moran...............................................4-H Animal Science Program Coordinator Nicole Slevin.........................................................................Communications Manager Kaitlyn Smith......................................................................................Program Assistant Nat Tompkins............................................................................Agriculture Coordinator Tara VanHorn.......................................................................................Finance Manager Malinda Ware.................................Health & Community Development Program Leader Sean Welsh..........................Energy & Consumer Educator and Operations Coordinator John Wilcox.......................................................................Building & Grounds Manager

Extension Connection

December 2017

Hello, friends of Extension!

With program and organizational planning underway for the 2018 year, we’re looking at more than $500,000 in new projects in the coming year. These projects include expanding 4-H afterschool programs in Monticello, doubling the size of the Master Gardener Volunteer program’s Annual Plant Sale, launching a Taste NY retail store feasibility project, implementing Complete Streets planning approaches for seven Sullivan municipalities to increase safety for people in vehicles and on bikes and foot, increasing outreach to the Spanish speaking community, rolling out a multimedia Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) education campaign, and continuing multiple capital improvement projects including finishing the repair of the parking lot, and replacing one of six remaining thirty-year-old HVAC components at the Extension Education Center.

Projects we do at Extension don’t happen in a vacuum and they can’t be done alone. In next month’s Extension Connection, you’ll see a snapshot, scrapbook style, highlighting many of the projects and partners from 2017 that have led us to this moment. Collaborative support from the Sullivan County Legislature, County department heads and their staff, local community organizations, civic groups, businesses, and volunteers and friends of Extension are the foundation by which we are able to bring the tools and resources of the land-grant university system to Sullivan County. Together, we bring meaningful learning experiences and services that our friends and neighbors can trust, so that everyone in Sullivan County has an opportunity to lead lives that are healthy, safe, and joyful, and to develop relationships with each-other to get through challenging times.

In addition to the partnerships that make Extension successful, tough and smart decisions by the most recent board of directors cohorts and investments from the United States Department of Agriculture, New York State, Sullivan County, the Gerry Foundation, and hundreds of annual donors, our local association has evolved from being in a precarious financial situation just a decade ago, to a place where we can plan new programs, have the cash flow to meet our regular payroll, and tackle multiple capital projects while minimizing burdens on our lines of credit.

With the winter holidays approaching, and on behalf of the board and staff at Extension, THANK YOU, for your faith and trust in CCE Sullivan as your resource of choice, and for understanding the value we bring to the community as a partner whose sole purpose is to serve the farmers, families, kids, and organizations in Sullivan County. It is a blessing for us to be able to do this work with, and for, all of you.

As the year comes to a close, may you and yours find the time to sit and reflect on the friends, family, neighbors, and community supports who helped you survive, and with any luck, thrive, in 2017. With continued commitment to each other, a lot of hard work, and a little bit of luck, 2018 promises to be better than the last. And we’re looking forward to spending it with you!

Happy Hanukkah! Joyful Solstice! Merry Christmas!

Warm Regards,

Colleen Monaghan, Executive Director cm638@cornell.edu

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THE FOUR P’S OF MARKETING Written by Nat Tompkins, Agriculture Coordinator Running a farm business and need some help marketing and selling your products? Then try using the four P’s of marketing! The four P’s -- product, price, place, and promotion—are a great place to start when it comes to creating your marketing plan. Each P is a variable that you control, and work with while developing your marketing mix. This is a great tool that has helped almost every business of every kind, and can be an important tool in making your business more successful.

Product: The product is going to be whatever goods or services you are going to be selling to your consumers. However, it’s more than just the product itself.

It’s more than saying “the product I sell is tomatoes”. What are some of the specific elements of your product?

Note what variety this tomato you are selling is. What are some things that make it stand out? If your product is used in a certain way then jot that down too; it will become useful when we get to the fourth P, promotion.

You especially want to do this if the product can fill a need in the market.

If this tomato should be used for making a sauce, and nobody else at the market sells tomatoes used for sauce, that’s valuable marketing potential for your product.

Price: Once you have all the aspects of your product nailed down, it’s time to move onto what price you are going to sell it for. Sometimes, when people start a business they want to sell at the lowest price possible.

An issue with a really low price is that it may slow down how fast your company can grow. Working with razor thin margins on your sales will Page 4

limit how much you can save, and how much buying power you have for your inputs. Conversely, a really high price will drive people away.

Your goal with pricing should be to avoid being greedy or timid. You must also understand how much it costs to produce your product. If you have no clue what your costs are, then you won’t have a clue about how much money you are making, or losing!

Make sure you keep accurate records of all your costs. Then come up with a price that makes your customers happy, and makes you a profit.

Place: With your product and price figured out, it’s time for place: where to sell the product. What your farm produces, and how you want to sell it, will determine the place. Some farms specialize in direct consumer sales; think farmers’ markets or a farm stand. If you fall into this category, then it’s up to you to seek these markets out, or build a stand.

However, maybe you don’t like dealing directly with customers.

Then your place to sell might be a local food hub, or a local foods store.

Where you decide to sell is entirely up to you. For example, a dairy farmer’s place is likely going to be a cooperative. Choose what works best for you and your farm business.

Just make sure that the place is still able to work within your price. If the place where you want to sell cannot support the price you need, then you need to reconsider the place, or work on cutting down your costs to make it work.

Promotion: Finally, the fourth P: promotion. How are you going to get your buyer to know about your product? This is the actual advertising and selling of your product. The idea here is to make people aware of, and

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knowledgeable about, your product.

Largely promotion can be as simple as a sign on your farm stand saying, “Sauce Tomatoes $3/lb”. Talking about your sauce tomatoes with a potential customer is also promotion. Making people aware that your product exists helps with getting sales.

However, getting them to understand what you’re selling, and why they should want it is what actually sells.

Depending on your farm, promotion might not be necessary, or can be very minimal. Going back to that dairy farm selling to a co-op. They don’t need to advertise their milk.

They just have to contact the co-op, and see if they’re accepting new members. That’s their promotional efforts. The other three P’s help you develop the content for your promotion.

The four P’s of marketing should work together to give you the whole picture of how to market your product. The answers you have for one P will most likely lead to answers for others, and that’s good! Your P’s should work together, and complement one another. It’s natural for each to eventually evolve as your business grows and develops. Markets change as time goes ever onward.

Your business, and marketing plan, should change with it. The process of selecting an effective marketing mix takes time and effort; don’t get discouraged by that. You have to start somewhere, and the four P’s of marketing will help!

2017 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE Written by Melinda Meddaugh, Ag & Food Systems Team Leader In December farmers and ranchers across the nation will start receiving the 2017 Census of Agriculture.

Producers can mail in their completed census form, or respond online via the improved web questionnaire.

The online questionnaire has been revised extensively to make it more

convenient for producers. Conducted once every five years, the census of agriculture is a complete count of all U.S. farms, ranches, and those who operate them; it is the only source of uniform, comprehensive, and impartial agriculture data for every state and county in the country. Farmers and ranchers, trade associations, government, extension educators, researchers, and many

others rely on census of agriculture data when making decisions that shape American agriculture – from creating and funding farm programs to boosting services for communities and the industry. The census of agriculture is a producer’s voice, future, and opportunity. For more information about the 2017 Census of Agriculture, visit www.agcensus.usda. gov or call 800-727-9540.

NEW FARMERS GRANT FUND Now in its fourth round, the $1 million New Farmers Grant Fund will provide grants up to $50,000 to assist with up to 50 % of eligible project costs. To qualify, farm business owners must be within the first 10 years of having an ownership interest in any farm business, and the farm must have a minimum of $10,000 in income from sales of products grown or raised on the farm. Eligible project costs include the purchase of machinery, equipment, supplies, and the construction or improvement of agricultural structures.

To learn more, visit esd.ny.gov/new-farmers-grant-fund-program, or email nyfarmfund@esd.ny.gov.

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STORING VEGETABLES IN THE WINTER Submitted by Michelle Lipari, Agriculture Educator First thing’s first: planning ahead for storage. The steps that growers can take to optimize the storage life of vegetables happen in three stages: from field production, to harvest and handling, to storage. The first stage is still in the field, looking ahead to the quality of the crop at harvest. Since quality only goes down in storage, it makes sense to start with the best quality possible.

That involves the usual array of best management practices, from a good soil fertility program, to timely and adequate irrigation, to effective pest management. It also includes selecting varieties that are well suited to storage, and a timing the harvest to make sure the crop is mature but not past its prime and starting to senesce.

Harvest and post-harvest handling is the second stage. The primary concern here is to avoid any and all injury to the crop that will reduce its ability to store well. Cuts, bruises, exposure to direct sunlight and high temperatures should all be avoided.

Prompt removal of field heat is very important to slow down the aging process right away. Some crops will require trimming or washing to meet market demands, and others may need curing to get them into best condition for storage. Washed products may be sanitized to kill of the microbes that promote decay.

Crops will be packed in some way for storage, and this must be done with care to avoid injury. Storage containers must allow the right amount of air exchange for the crop, and should not pile the crop so deep that bruising occurs.

Curing is an important part of the second stage for some crops. It’s used to promote the drying down and toughening up of external Page 6

tissues, which reduces moisture loss in storage as well as entry points for decay organisms. Just like storage conditions, crops vary in their optimal curing conditions.

For garlic and onions, cure at 6886°F, 70% RH with good air flow for 2 weeks or until necks and skins are completely dry and tight. For table stock potatoes, cure at 55-65°F, 95% RH for 2-3 weeks. For sweet potatoes, cure at 80-86°F and 85-95% RH for 4-7 days. For winter squash cure at 80-85°F for 10-20 days to heal wounds; curing may not benefit mature, undamaged fruit.

Storage is the third stage. Vegetable shelf life is manipulated in storage by managing temperature, humidity and the combinations of crops that are stored together (to avoid ethylene injury and odor transfer). The better a storage system can maintain the optimal temperature and relative humidity for different crops, the longer the crops can be held in a marketable condition. Of course, it isn’t always possible to meet the needs of every crop you want to store, so you do the best you can with the facilities you have, recognizing that suboptimal conditions will shorten the storage time you can plan expect.

A quick internet search will bring up sites that show long lists of vegetable and their optimal storage conditions. For practical reasons growers need to group storage crops into common categories so facilities can be created to provide several different conditions. There are basically five sets of ideal conditions for winter storage vegetables. These are: cold and moist, cold and dry, cool and moist, warm and moist, warm and dry. Below are the specifics and the crops suited to them that are commonly stored into the winter on northeastern vegetable farms.

• Cold and moist = 32°F and 90-95% RH.

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Beets, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, leeks, rutabagas and turnips.

• Cold and dry = 32°F and 65-70% RH. Garlic and dry onions. (Store seed garlic at 50°F.) • Cool and moist = 45°F and 90% RH. Potatoes for table stock.

• Warm and moist = 57°F and 85-90% RH. Sweet potatoes.

• Warm and dry = 55°F and 50-70% RH. Winter squashes, including pumpkins.

Chilling injury. Some crops are more sensitive to low temperatures than others. If your storage system is does not have accurate temperature control then it is best to err on the side of caution with sensitive crops and aim for a few degrees above the optimal temperature. Potatoes and sweet potatoes are very sensitive to chilling injury. Onions, winter squash and carrots are moderately sensitive, meaning they can tolerate brief exposure to sub-optimal temperatures. Cruciferous storage crops are the most tolerant of cold temperature and least susceptible to chilling injury.

Odors. Crops can pick up off-odors from other crops, so some storage combinations that should be avoided include: apples or pears with celery, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, or onions; celery with onions or carrots.

Ethylene is gas naturally produced by some crops in storage that can cause other crops to age faster, develop of colors or blemishes.

Storage crops affected by ethylene include cabbage and carrots.

Stored crops that produce a lot of ethylene include apples, pears and tomatoes. These two groups should be stored separately, or separated by impervious plastic barriers if they are stored in the same area.

Source: Grubinger, Vern. “Storing vegetables into the winter.” Accessed November 11, 2017. https://www.uvm.edu/vtvegandberry/factsheets/ WinterVegetableStorage.pdf.++

KEEP WINTER AT BAY & GET A JUMP ON SPRING Written by Darlene Midlang, Master Gardener Volunteer The gardens have been put to bed.

Annuals have been cleaned and removed and those that are disease free have gone to compost. Winter rye grass has been spread to supply the vegetable gardens with green manure and keep future weeds at bay. Yet, it is with the cool winter days approaching, I think about extending my growing season.

All the greens enjoyed throughout the summer—spinach, lettuce, swiss chard, arugula, kale are now a memory. If you are like me you aren’t ready to give up those greens.

In the past, I spent a small fortune on fresh greens over the winter months. I’ve started some greens indoors. Frankly, I’ve experienced only moderate success. I must admit that I’ve been unwilling to spend lots of money on lighting, seed trays, nor dedicate the space and time in my little house that such efforts require.

This simple way to cheat winter and get a jump on spring is possible with almost any size cold frame. If one wants a larger cold frame just expand your bales and windows. Last year, I had a variety of small oak and walnut trees that were not ready to set out, the cold frame served to give these tender new trees the protection from snow and cold by simply keeping them in their pots and protecting them with the bales and window.

This year the trees are now enjoying their new home in my meadow.

Darlene Midlang is the proprietor of Hestia’s Garden in North Branch, NY and a Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County Master Gardener Volunteer

Now I use a simple cold frame to extend my growing season. Whether you use it in late fall or early spring, cold frames are a simple way to extend your garden’s life or get a jump on spring. Lots of magazines have easy to build cold frames, but I found one that requires no sawing and no nails. It is made from an old window and six bales of mulch hay or straw. It took about 20 minutes to set up. I place the cold frame along a stone wall in full sun with the window facing south and at a slant to take advantage of nature’s light and warmth. The result is a warmer microclimate has been created. Once the structure is secure, I then pour in enough compost to give the plants a nutrient rich soil to get them growing.

This is also a great solution to protect tender perennials that you aren’t sure will make it in our zone 5 climate.

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SHOULD I FREEZE MY CREDIT REPORT? Submitted by Sean Welsh, Energy and Consumer Educator After the article in the October newsletter on the Equifax data breach, I received some inquiries regarding freezing credit reports, so I turned to one of my land grant colleagues for more information regarding freezing credit.

With the recent data breach at Equifax, a credit bureau company, you may be wondering whether you should freeze your credit report. I am one of the people Equifax has identified as “potentially impacted” by the data breach so I’ve been pondering my actions.

First, what is a credit freeze?

A credit freeze stops the credit bureau from releasing your credit report or any information from it, except in certain exceptions. For example, companies you currently have loans with and collection agencies can still receive your report.

This means that someone who wants to use your identity to borrow money – even if they have your name and Social Security number, probably won’t be able to obtain credit in your name.

What are the advantages of a credit freeze?

• Makes identity theft, which involves borrowing money, much less likely.

• Will not lower your credit score.

• You can still request and see your credit report.

What are the disadvantages?

It may cost you $10 to place the freeze. If you’re a victim of identity theft (requires a police report or other documentation) or at least 65 years old, it’s free. (These costs may vary depending on location.)

example, apply for a new credit card) you have to lift the freeze first.

In addition, because credit reports are used by businesses other than lenders, the credit freeze may interfere with other things such as • Changing insurance policies, • Renting housing, and • Signing up for new utilities or phone service.

It will cost you $10 to lift the freeze temporarily or permanently.

It may take up to three business days to lift the freeze.

How do you freeze your credit report?

You must request a freeze at each of the three credit bureaus. Each will charge a fee.

If you’re married, you need to freeze both your and your spouse’s credit reports to protect your identity.

For detailed information about how to place a credit freeze, go to the New York Attorney General’s resource, Placing a Freeze on a Credit Report.

What to do?

That’s the facts of a credit freeze.

Whether or not you want a credit freeze is a personal decision. I’ll be writing more about identity theft and how it has affected my family in future posts -- so stay tuned in!

The FTC has issued this statement about the Equifax data breach, and their recommendations, The Equifax Data Breach: What to Do. Take time to read this and consider what you want to do.

Open enrollment is here.

Whether you’re eligible for Medicare, selecting a plan through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or have private insurance, you have until December 7 (Medicare) or December 15 (ACA) to compare plans and make coverage changes. But as you’re keeping an eye out for the best options, also keep an eye out for scammers.

Eligible for Medicare?

• Anyone that tries to sell you Medicare insurance while claiming to be an “official Medicare agent” is a scammer.

There are no Medicare sales representatives.

• The Medicare prescription drug plan (also known as Part D) is voluntary. Ignore anyone who calls saying you must join their prescription plan or you will lose your Medicare coverage.

• Don’t give any info over the phone to someone who tells you to provide information to keep your coverage.

Looking for coverage under the Affordable Care Act? Only shop for coverage at HealthCare.gov. People who try to sign you up elsewhere may be scammers.

Think you’ve spotted a scam?

Report it to the FTC. If the scam is Medicare related, report it at Medicare.gov.

Source: “Plan Well, Retire Well.” University of

Source: “Avoiding ‘open enrollment’

Illinois Extension serving Champaign, Ford,

scams.” Consumer Information.

Iroquois and Vermilion Counties. Accessed

November 27, 2017. Accessed

November 14, 2017. http://web.extension.illinois.

November 28, 2017. https://www.

edu/cfiv/eb141/entry_12860/.

consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2017/11/ avoiding-open-enrollment-scams.

If you want to borrow money (for Page 8

SCAM ALERT

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TITLE Submitted by SueAnn Boyd, Healthy Schools Coordinator Copy

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DEDICATION OF NEW FLAGS CONNECTS EXTENSION TO HISTORY Submitted by Marylin Jones, 4-H Program Coordinator Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County is the fortunate recipient of new flags for its meeting rooms. It is an impressive set of American and 4-H Program flags on new brass poles and pedestals, a gift from the Hessinger Family of Callicoon Center, New York.

The gift, made in memory of Fred and Lena Hessinger illuminates the long relationship this family has had with the Sullivan County Extension office.

The flags are in fact, a second set that have been given in memory of the Hessingers, replacing an original set donated in 1987 to grace the newly built Extension building. A committee of former 4-H’ers had been formed to fundraise for the goal, and in doing so far exceeded expectations so that plaques, a wall clock, and $500 were donated to Extension in addition to the flags. A letter dated January 2, 1988 from Hessingers recall attending the opening on December 15, when they were able to have a guided tour of the facilities. “The building, set in a lovely wooded area houses the many Agencies of the County and has a large meeting room,” and “the two flags that were donated in memory of my parents are located in the meeting hall” with engraved plaques that read “In Memory of Fred and Lena Hessinger – Faithful Workers 4-H Club – 40 years of dedicated service.”

This reference to the Faithful Workers Club deepens the historical context of the family’s longstanding support. An article by Carl Grant in the “Times Herald Record” on June 16, 1977, noted that “in 1936 a group of interested county residents first met to determine the possibility of organizing a 4-H Club Department in Sullivan County.” A committee was appointed made up of Mrs. David H. Clements, Harry Stalker and G.C. Crary with the result that “an agent-at-large was in the county in March Page 10

and April and organized nine 4-H Clubs.”

Grant went on to report that these nine clubs were kept in operation by the county agricultural agent for two years after which “the Board of Supervisors recognized the value of club work and in January 1938 appropriated funds for the formation of the 4-H Club Department.”

As of June 1977, Grant noted that two of those original chartered groups remained: the Faithful Workers Club, a club for girls in Callicoon Center under the leadership of Lena Hessinger and the Callicoon Center Beavers, a boys’ club under the leadership of Clarence Krantz.

In June and July of 1977, several local newspapers featured the story of Lena Hessinger and a celebration of her 40 years of service as a 4-H leader. The Sullivan County Democrat reported that Mrs. Hessinger had the distinction of being the only leader to have served for 40 years in New York State and that the “Cornell State 4-H Department sent a warm congratulatory letter.”

Other news stories shared how Mrs. Hessinger started the Faithful Workers in 1937 with Lil Knack McDonald, “working diligently through the years with many young girls aged 9 through 18 years” and crediting her with teaching and mentoring multiple generations in projects “dealing with cooking, sewing, the art of demonstrating, and community aid.” A 1962 article in the “Agricultural Supplement” noted that “if the fellows in

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Callicoon Center pick themselves a wife who can’t cook or sew, it won’t be the fault of Mrs. Fred Hessinger.”

Personal tributes also illuminate the enduring value of this former 4-H Leader, as for all dedicated volunteers who promote extension work. Lena Hessinger “had an impact on our lives…the wonderful part of it is that it is on-going, the standards and principles she stood for and demanded were character building blocks that in turn ripple to successive generations.” Additional quotes collected by committee member Ruth Griffin in 1977, noted that “what was important was to try and do your best…my family moved to Callicoon Center when I was 14 years and she made us feel like we belonged…

Mrs. Hessinger never made us feel like outsiders” and “what a lovely person who touched many of our lives in many ways… it was very happy and rewarding times.

With CCESC on the eve of a new year, 2018 marks 80 years since the 4-H Program was established in Sullivan County and over 30 years of Extension operating in its present location, a continuing center of educational activity and resources, home base for countless volunteers such as Fred and Lena Hessinger.

Source: https://extension.psu.edu/ Section 03:Mission and Philosophy of 4-H and Youth Programs. VIP facts 3

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POINSETTIA FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Submitted by Dayna Gaeta, Community Hort. Coordinator Are Poinsettias Poisonous?

Poinsettias are not poisonous. For nearly eight decades this rumor has continued to circulate because of one unfounded story in 1919: that an Army officer’s two year old child allegedly died after eating a poinsettia leaf.

While never proved by medical or scientific fact and later determined to be hearsay, the story has taken on a life of its own. But, the defenders of the poinsettia have pulled out all the scientific stops to allay public fears.

The Society of American Florists (SAF) worked with the Academic Faculty of Entomology at Ohio State University (OSU) to exhaustively test all parts of the poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima). OSU research established that rats exhibited no adverse effects – no mortality, no symptoms of toxicity, and no changes in dietary intake or general behavior patterns – when given even unusually large amounts of different poinsettia parts.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) accepts animal tests as valid indicators whether any product or natural growth is harmful to human health.

The OSU research was conduct more than 23 years ago and other sources have continued to reinforce the poinsettia’s safety.

Any little exposure to light can prevent flowering. Covering the plant with a light-proof bag and placing it in a closet might work. Night time temperatures above 70-75 degrees can decay or prevent flowering.

How can I make my poinsettia last during the holiday season?

• Place the poinsettia in a sunny window.

According to the American Medical Association’s Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants, other than occasional cases of vomiting, ingestion of the poinsettia plant has been found to produce no effect.

• Do not let any part of the plant touch cold window panes.

After reviewing all available poinsettia related information, the CPSC denied a petition in 1975 to require warning labels for poinsettia plants. Despite its continued circulation, the myth of the poinsettia is gradually losing steam.

• Water only when the soil is dry. Do not let the poinsettia wilt or sit with water in the saucer. Empty the saucer.

Source: Society of American Florists How do you get a poinsettia to bloom?

To get a poinsettia to reflower you have to keep it in total darkness between 5:00pm and 8:00am. Start this around October 1 and continue until color shows on the bracts; usually around early to mid-December.

• Indoor temperatures from 60-70 degrees is ideal for long plant life.

• High temperatures will shorten the life of the colorful bracts.

• Placing your poinsettia in a cool room between 50-60 degrees at night will extend blooming time.

• Do not fertilize when the plant is in bloom.

• Avoid temperature fluctuations and warm or cold drafts.

I want to keep my poinsettia plants.

When can I take them outside?

Move your poinsettia plants outdoors when all danger of frost has passed.

Place it in a sunny areas but where it will get moderate shade in the afternoon.

Source: “Frequently Asked Questions.”

Frequently Asked Questions - The Poinsettia Pages - University of Illinois Extension. Accessed November 27, 2017. http://extension.illinois.edu/ poinsettia/faq.cfm.

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CONSERVATION

TAI CHI WRAPS UP

November 1

November 2

FREE ANIMAL SCIENCE

CCE Sullivan hosted the Delaware Highland Conservancy’s Education Committee and gave them a tour of the Extension Education Center and grounds.

We look forward to ongoing work with the Conservancy in ensuring farmland and natural spaces for Sullivan County residents and visitors! You can read an editorial submitted by the Conservancy in last month’s magazine.

The Caregiver Resource Center wrapped up its offering of Tai Chi for Fall Prevention at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum. This intensive series fills up every time! Stay tuned for more dates in 2018.

November 3

POVERTY SIMULATION November 1 CCESC partnered with HealthLinkNY and MISN to host 75 community providers in a Poverty Simulation. Role playing was used over the course of a full day training to give professionals an opportunity to be reminded of the challenges their service recipients face on a daily basis.

MASTER GARDENERS MEET November 1 The Master Gardener Volunteers held their monthly meeting and set a vision for the upcoming 2018 program year. Final details for the Poinsettia Sale were put in place. Be sure to call the Extension office to order yours before December 8! Pick up is on National Poinsettia Day on Dec 12.

FREE LEGAL HELP November 2 Albany Law School spent the day at the Extension office providing free legal counsel to local folks in need on a variety of land use, tenant, and other issues. This service is provided on a monthly basis at no cost to Sullivan County residents. Call 845-292-6180 for more information on how to contact them!

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NOT HORSING AROUND November 2 The 4-H Equine Program hosted the 2nd Horse Bowl/Hippology Practice Night for upwards of 15 youth. This series is open to ALL youth in Sullivan County, is free, and no prior knowledge (or ownership) of horses or equine sciences is required.

Come learn the basics with us!

FORESTBURGH WELLNESS November 2 Creating Healthy Communities staff visited the Forestburgh Town Board to understand how CCE Sullivan can help them integrate Complete Streets polices in their planning efforts. Complete Streets policies help municipalities make it easier and safer to move around towns for cars, bikes, and folks on foot.

TROUT IN THE CLASSROOM November 3 The 4-H Trout in the Classroom program hosted its monthly meeting. Volunteers and young people set up a tank and have hatched about two dozen trout fry (baby trout). They’ll work together to support their growth through the spring, and then release them in safe waters to repopulate the local trout population. You can support this DEC project by donating at www. sullivancce.org/donate.

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CCE Sullivan staff participated in a half day professional development opportunity around Mediation. Staff were able to identify steps to diffuse tense situations, and used role playing exercises to practice for real life situations.

STAFF MEDIATION November 7 CCE Sullivan staff participated in a half day professional development opportunity around mediation. Staff members were able to identify steps to diffuse tense situations, and used role playing exercises to practice for real life situations.

4-H ACHIEVEMENT NIGHT November 9 The CCESC 4-H team presented more than 400 awards to just over 200 Sullivan County 4-H’ers at the annual 4-H Achievement Night, generously hosted

by Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in the Events Gallery. Congratulations to Senior Leadership Awardee Erin Denman, and Norman F. Gabriel Awardee Patrick Coombe!

4-H RABBIT PROGRAM November 10 The Working Together Rabbit Program hosted its monthly meeting at the Extension Education Center. This program teaches youth all about rabbits, is free, and is open to the public. For more information, contact Kaitlyn Smith at 845-292-6180.

PATTERN FOR PROGRESS November 14 CCE Sullivan Communications Manager Nicole Slevin kicked off her participation in the Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress Fellows Program. Over the course of a year, Nicole will learn the ins and outs of how various sectors and partners work together to strengthen economic and social development across the region, and build a network of professional support for CCE Sullivan’s work.

THOMPSON WELLNESS November 14 Creating Healthy Communities staff presented to the Town of Thompson Board on how to improve walkability and accessibility to opportunities for physical activity in the town. This program provides support and small grants to municipalities in Sullivan County looking to improve health outcomes for their residents and guests.

NEW AG PROGRAMS November 14 The CCE Sullivan Program Advisory Committee held their quarterly meeting, and reached consensus on content ideas and delivery mechanisms for 2018 Ag and Food Systems programming. Look out next calendar dar year for three full day themed conferences rences around Agricultural Production, Ag g Business Retention & Expansion, and d New/Beginning Farming.

Farming g.

AFTERSCHOOL FUNDING

NEW ADA PARKING

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November 20

CCESC board president, executive director, and healthy schools coordinator had an opportunity to hear and meet Governor Andrew Cuomo at Rutherford Elementary School in Monticello as he announced more than $2 million in new afterschool funding for the Monticello and Fallsburg School Districts. CCESC is a subgrantee and will expand 4-H Youth Development programming into the afterschool setting!

Our friends at Superior Surfacing Systems began construction on all new sidewalks and the immediate parking areas at the front and sides of the Extension Education Center. Once finished, our lot will have 2 additional ADA parking spaces, and will be compliant with current access regulations.

OUTDOOR 4-H CLUB November 16 A brand new 4-H Adventures in Nature club hosted a club meeting at the Extension Education Center. This new group of youngsters have a love for all things outdoors and look forward to learning all the natural wonders Sullivan County has to offer!

SEWING/KNITTING GROUP

TASTE TEST THURSDAYS

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November 30

The Intergenerational Textile Group meets the 3rd Friday of every month.

Adult and youth volunteers spend an hour or two creating warm masterpieces to donate to Sullivan friends and neighbors in need. The program is free and open to the public.

The Healthy Schools and ag teams worked together to offer a taste test experience for students at Liberty Elementary School. This activity is part of budding Farm to School efforts across multiple districts. The goal is to expand young people’s tastes and help them gain an understanding of where their food comes from.

DHI Report

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CALICO GEESE QUILTERS ANNOUNCE 2017 RAFFLE WINNER Submitted by Susan Swann, Calico Geese Member Each year the Calico Geese Sullivan County Quilters create a raffle quilt, the proceeds from which are used to assist them in their goal of community outreach. This outreach is the creation of quilts and quilted items for distribution to community organizations primarily within Sullivan County. These include, but are not limited to, the following: Veteran’s Service Agency, Planned Parenthood, Head Start, WIC, and Long Term Care Facilities.

The 2017 Blue Diamond raffle quilt has been exhibited at many venues throughout the county for the last year.

On October 9, 2017 at their regularly scheduled monthly meeting, the winner was drawn at random by their

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newest member, Kathy Johansen, of Jeffersonville, New York. The random drawing was witnessed by over thirty of her fellow quilters.

The winner is Megan Phillips of Phoenix, Arizona, whose grandmother, Margaret Scribner of Rock Hill, New York, is coincidentally a member of the quilters. Megan was ecstatic to find out she had won the beautiful quilt, according to her grandmother who called her with the news.

The 2018 Raffle Quilt, which symbolizes the Victorian Era, was unveiled at the SUNY Sullivan Annual Arts and Crafts Fair on November 19, at the college campus.

Congratulations, Megan!

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To further the art of quilting, the Calico Geese, a Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County Community Group, also hold workshops, bringing in well-known teachers from other areas of the country or drawing on the extensive talent pool of its members.

Quilting tips and techniques are demonstrated at the monthly meetings which are still held on the second Monday of each month.

The guild is also affiliated with the National Quilting Association, the American Quilting Society, and the Catskill Mountain Quilters Hall of Fame, located in Hunter, NY. The Hall of Fame brings together quilters from Schoharie, Greene, Delaware, Ulster, and Sullivan Counties. Sharing their art and caring for others is a natural part of their personalities.

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CCE Sullivan Spotlights

Farm Spotlight

Volunteer Spotlight

Staff Spotlight

OLGANA FARMS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MARYLIN JONES

Olgana Farms is located literally right off Route 17 in Ferndale. The farm’s fences actually come right up to the highway on the westbound side! This new farm was founded in September 2017 by Edward Santiago and his wife Wendolly Ortega.

The CCE Sullivan Board of Directors consists of 14 Sullivan County resident volunteers, one Sullivan County Legislative Representative, and Sullivan’s State Extension Specialist.

Marylin Jones was the recipient of Distinguished Service Awards by the New York State Association of Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H Educators and the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents.

Presented with a plaque in October at the NYSACCE4-HE Conference in Ellicottville, NY she received recognition by her colleagues for “demonstrating high levels of professionalism, accomplishments, and community involvement” as an educator involved in seven or more years of service. In November, she traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana to receive a plaque from NAE4-HA for Distinguished Service “in recognition of outstanding service and dedication to the 4-H Youth Development Profession” during the awards ceremony concluding the National Conference of 4-H professionals.

Marylin currently serves as vicechair for the South East District of 4-H Educators, sits on the NYS 4-H Capital Days and Mentoring Committees, and is a new member of the NAE4-HA task force in Communications and Expressive Arts.

Since startup, Edward and his wife have been persistent in getting this 57 acre former horse farm into shape for the beef cattle they own. Edward plans to produce 10,000 pounds of beef over the next year. Edward is starting research into fodder for feeding his cows over the winter.

They will also be producing lettuce hydroponically year-round.

Edward was raised on a farm in Puerto Rico where his family produced plantains, beef, swine, and rabbits! After a semi-retirement, Edward decided he wanted to go back into farming. His favorite part of farming is that every day brings a new challenge, and problem to solve.

If you are interested in learning more about Olgana Farms and their products, feel free to contact Edward by phone at 845-747-9357, or email edward@olganafarms.com.

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Charged with setting policy and direction for Association finances, personnel, and core program areas, these committed volunteers work tirelessly to be good stewards of taxpayer and grantor dollars, while providing expertise and support to Extension staff, who execute day to day operations of the organization.

This year, four long term board members are terming out, and long time State Extension Specialist Charlie Fausold is retiring. Donna Willi, Earl Myers, Pam Fisk, and Glenn Pontier worked hand in hand with their board cohorts over the last six years to bring CCE Sullivan out of debt, stabilize staffing, and provided the vision and support for staff to focus on relevant, quality programming.

The staff at CCE Sullivan is forever grateful for the time, energy and support provided by this outstanding working board!

CCE is proud to have Marylin as part of its team for 16 years and counting!

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CCE Sullivan Spotlights

4-H Spotlight 4-H ACHIEVEMENT NIGHT CEREMONY 4-H Achievement Night celebrates youth who have been working all year long building skills in various project areas and accomplishing outstanding levels of 4-H participation. On November 9, 2017 dozens of families and supporters celebrated the work and determination of Sullivan County youth with individual member recognition, awards for clubs, official acknowledgement of new clubs, and more! Thanks to Bethel Woods Center for the Arts for hosting this important event for the last two years. Any youth age 5-18 can join 4-H for free, any time of year!

Nominate a Star Know someone who deserves the shine off the spotlight?

Email Nicole Slevin: n: nas96@cornell.edu du

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CAREGIVERS: DIFFICULT DISCUSSIONS AROUND MONEY Submitted by Bonnie Lewis, Dependent Care Educator

else. Balancing all of this – it’s easy to become overwhelmed.

Families have unspoken rules and expectations about how to deal with money: how to save, how to spend, who has control, how decisions are made. When you become a caregiver for someone, money plays an important part in the choices you make about their care. And without question, money can be a huge source of friction within the family.

Many older people were raised during the Depression or had parents who shared a “Depression mentality.”

Saving was important and having money for a “rainy day” was essential.

Some adult children expect to receive an inheritance and want to maximize the amount they will receive.

Once a person needs a caregiver, money has to be discussed. Many older adults are reluctant to let their adult children know about their financial situation and they are extremely reluctant to give up control of their finances. However - and particularly when someone shows evidence of cognitive decline—a caregiver has to oversee the finances to prevent mistakes.

Talking About Money Without a clear grasp of the financial situation of the person needing care, the caregiver will be hampered in their ability to make good longterm financial decisions. Starting the conversation can be the hardest part.

Should you have the conversation one-on-one, or should it be a family meeting with siblings and other important people present?

This is the time (especially around the holidays when we gather together) to start the “what if” conversation.

Suggest likely scenarios and ask “what would you want if …” and write down your parent’s responses. Some Page 26

of these can be about health care wishes or living arrangements, and some of these will be about money.

The better you understand how your loved one thinks about money, as well as what his/her concrete wishes are, the better you’ll be able to carry out those wishes and feel good honoring them to the best of your ability.

This leads to a conversation about other aspects of aging that involve money: • Is the home the best place for the care receiver to be?

• Is it more expensive to pay for assisted living, or is it more expensive to hire a caregiver at home?

• If I, as an adult child, provide the care, can I spend some of my parent’s money on hiring substitute or respite help so I can get a break from time to time?

• Would it be better for my parents to pay me to be the caregiver, or is it better to hire from outside?

• If we want to hire someone, should it be through an agency or should we hire privately?

Work and Eldercare Adult children caring for aging parents are torn in many directions: jobs, family, community responsibilities and the need to take care of yourself (exercise, eating right, socializing and sleep).

Now add caregiving to the mix and handling the finances for someone

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Many caregivers contemplate leaving their job to be more present and available to someone who needs help on a daily basis. This is a complex decision to make, as it affects your finances and your family’s. When you stop working, you immediately have to deal with changes in health insurance, unless you are covered under your spouse. Under COBRA you can pay privately for insurance for 18 months, or, under the current Affordable Care Act, you can buy health insurance on the open market (without penalty for pre-existing conditions). But this will cost money for you or for the family member you are responsible for.

Planning for your own aging is also important and not having a current income will compromise your income in the future. If you don’t pay into the Social Security system for a number of years, your income will be reduced when it comes time for you to collect your Social Security benefits.

Pensions, retirement funds, IRAs, 401K employer matches, and other savings accounts can be similarly affected.

One of the most frequent questions asked at Family Caregiver Alliance is, “How can I be paid to be a caregiver to my parent?” If you are going to be the primary caregiver, is there a way that your parent or the care receiver can pay you for the help you provide? The short answer is yes, as long as all parties agree. If the care receiver is eligible for Medicaid it might be possible for you to be paid through Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program.

Source: Family Caregiver Alliance, National Center on Caregiving, Website: www. caregiver.org

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