Extension Connection
USPS-525-100
Sullivan County
YOUR LINK KT TO OL LOCAL, OC OC RESEARCH-BASED SOLUTIONS TO BETTER YOUR LIFE
VOLUME LXXXXIX NO. 12
DECEMBER 2018
Dozens of 4-H youth members, volunteers, and their families came out to 4-H Achievement Night at the Bethel Woods Events Gallery on November 2.
Upcoming U pcoming Events Events & Programs Programs
Issue Isssue sue Highlights Higghhligghhts
4-H Winter Workshops
Climate Smart Farming: 6 Key Strategies
Poinsettia Sale Orders Due
The Importance of a Business Plan
“Unique & Antique” Drawing Tickets for Sale
Preventing Garlic Bloat Nematode
Annual Meeting: Farms, Food, & Family
Preventing Weight Gain
4-H Dog Achievement Series
2018 Christmas Tree Farm Listing
Purchasing & Renting Farmland
Managing Pain: Moving Beyond Opioids
4-H Poultry Palooza
Strategies to Bridge Generational Differences
4-H International Night Farm Transfer & Succession 4-H Public Presentations See page 12 for more events!
Community Guest Editorial: Hudson Valley Catskills Welcome Center - Taste NY Check out page 14 for fast facts, a healthy recipe, and more!
Welcome W elcome to to the the Issue! Issue!
Table Table of of Contents Contents
Page 3 Message from the Executive Director
Page 10 Preventing Weight Gain
Page 20 CCESC Spotlights
Page 12 Upcoming Programs
Page 22 Opportunities for You
Page 4 Climate Smart Farming in the Northeast: 6 Key Strategies
Page 13 Christmas Tree Farms
Page 23 Sponsorships
Page 14 Fast Facts, Cool Tools, & News to Use!
Page 26 Managing Pain: Moving Beyond Opioids
Page 16 In Case You Missed It Page 17 FarmHearts NY
Page 27 Strategies to Bridge Generational Differences
Page 18 Community Guest Editorial of the Month
Page 28 Annual Meeting: Farms, Food, & Family Dec 12
Page 6 The Importance of a Business Plan Page 7 Preventing Garlic Bloat Nematode Page 8 New York Minute! Page 9 DHI Report: October
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.
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 YouTube: bitly.com/ccesullivan
Edited by: Nicole Slevin & Colleen Monaghan Designed by: Centermost Marketing, LLC 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 Program Coordinator Wanda V. Cruz.............................................Healthy Communities Program Coordinator Jessica Glassel.....................................................................................Finance Assistant Robert Kaplan..............................President Beth Johnston-Groth...............................................................Administrative Assistant II Amy Erlwein........................Vice President Marylin Jones..........................................................................4-H Program Coordinator Dawn Parsons...............................Treasurer Bridget Kackos...................................................................................Program Assistant John Kiefer...................................Secretary Bonnie Lewis.............................................................Dependent Care Subject Educator Nadia Rajsz........................Legislative Rep. Michelle Proscia................................................................Agriculture Subject Educator Todd Brown Erica Lynch........................................................Catskills Kitchen Program Coordinator Jenny Chamberlain Melinda Meddaugh.....................................................Ag & Food Systems Team Leader Marcie Ehrman Tharicia McZorn...........................................................Parenting & Family Life Educator Denise Frangipane Sonja Hedlund Barbara Moran...............................................4-H Animal Science Program Coordinator John “JP� Lang Bee Moser................................................................................Eat Smart NY Nutritionist Erin Mason Vanessa Pahucki.....................................................................Taste NY Market Manager Klu Padu Nicole Slevin................................................................Administrator & Diversity Officer Luisa Parker Kaitlyn Conklin............................................................................4-H Program Educator Robert Wong Nat Tompkins...............................................Agriculture Business Program Coordinator Tara VanHorn.......................................................................................Finance Manager Malinda Ware......................................Health & Community Development Issue Leader Mary Winter...............................................................Temporary Horticulture Assistant Sean Welsh...........................................................................Energy Resource Educator John Wilcox........................................................................................Facilities Manager
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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December 2018
Hello, Extension Family! In 2018, we expanded 4-H afterschool programs into the Monticello and Fallsburg school districts, doubled the size of the Master Gardener Volunteer program’s Annual Plant Sale, launched a Taste NY retail store, implemented Complete Streets planning approaches in seven Sullivan municipalities to increase safety for people in vehicles and on bikes and foot, increased accessibility to the Spanish speaking community by increasing bilingual staff hours and translational responsibilities, finished the repair of the ADA compliant sidewalks and parking lot at the Extension Education Center, and committed to new, regular outreach at the Soul Food Café in Liberty and ENGN Center in Callicoon. This is in line with exactly what we said we would do last December. The projects we do at Extension don’t happen in a vacuum and they can’t be done alone. It is with the support of the Sullivan County Legislature, County department heads and their staff, local community organizations, civic groups, local businesses, volunteers, and friends of Extension that these projects and opportunities are available to the Sullivan County constituency. In next month’s Extension Connection, you’ll see a snapshot of upcoming programs, and in February, we’ll send out the CCE Sullivan Annual Report to the Community, highlighting many of the projects and partners from 2018 that have led us to this moment. Together, our staff, volunteers, and partners bring meaningful learning experiences and services that our friends and neighbors can trust to fulfill the original Cornell University vision, “Any Person, Any Study”, so that everyone in Sullivan County is empowered to lead lives that are healthy, fulfilling, and joyful, and to develop relationships with each other to get through challenging times. With the winter holidays approaching, 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 2018. With continued commitment to each other, a lot of hard work, and a little bit of luck, 2019 promises to be better than the last. And we’re looking forward to spending it with you!
Happy Hanukkah! Joyful Solstice! Happy Kwanza! Merry Christmas! Warm Wishes, Colleen Monaghan, Executive Director cm638@cornell.edu
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CLIMATE SMART FARMING IN THE NORTHEAST: 6 KEY STRATEGIES Submitted by Michelle Proscia, Agriculture Subject Educator In the Northeastern United States, climate-related risks such as extreme rainfall, drought, heat stress, changing disease and pest pressure, and unpredictable weather patterns pose serious threats to farmers’ livelihoods. The average annual temperature in the Northeast has increased by approximately 2.4°F, and annual precipitation has increased by 4.9 inches over the last 120 years. The frequency of extreme rainfall events (e.g., 2 inches of rain in a 24-hour period) has increased 71% between 1958-2012 (NOAA/NCDC). The length of the frost-free growing season has increased by 10 days, on average. These changes are projected to continue and increase in the future, and will pose threats to soil conditions, farm buildings, livestock health, as well as crop and animal productivity and quality. Despite these risks, farmers can make changes to their practices and systems which will reduce the severity of these climate impacts. Climate change may create opportunities for new enterprises as warmer temperatures lengthen the growing season, while the variability and unpredictability will remain a challenge. The Six Key Strategies listed below are actions that farmers can take to reduce risks and improve the sustainability of their farm. Many of these best management practices may not be new to farmers, but taken together they can help increase resiliency on the farm over the short and long-term.
potential for soil moisture stress to affect all crops. Healthy, wellstructured soil that is protected by vegetation captures more water and is less susceptible to surface runoff, compaction, and erosion during heavy rain events. The following actions build soil health and resiliency to climate-related risks: • Reduce tillage frequency and intensity, and transition to low-till or no-till planting methods where feasible. • Increase organic matter inputs through cover crops, crop residues, manures, and compost. • Use winter and summer cover crops between main crops to maximize soil surface protection. • Use tillage methods which preserve plant residues on the soil surface. The goal is to minimize time with no plants covering the field.
Climate Smart Farming in the Northeast: Six Key Strategies for Farmers • Develop a rotational plan to maximize the use of perennial crops in the rotation to avoid some or all tillage requirements.
• Time fertilizer and manure applications based on weather forecasts. • Construct over-sized and covered manure pits to minimize overflow risks during heavy rainfall events. • Plant or manage riparian buffers along streams and ponds to capture remaining runoff, and integrate agroforestry into farming systems to increase water-use efficiency during dry periods.
3. Utilize Integrated Pest Management Competition from weeds and increased threats from known and new invasive insects, weeds, and pathogens have increased in the warming climate. Employ these strategies to manage risks of pests and disease: • Stay abreast of new threats and be aware of life cycle and how pests spread. • Conduct regular scouting for weeds, insects, and pathogens, and control them with proven strategies.
• Reduce soil compaction by minimizing equipment passes over fields.
• Use crop varieties and livestock lineage with resistance to pests and pathogens.
• Avoid fall tillage and bare winter fallow whenever possible.
• Implement cultural and biological controls for pests whenever possible.
2. Efficiently Manage Water Resources and Risks
• Correctly use appropriate pesticides when pest or pathogens exceed economic thresholds.
Effective water management is critical in order to better handle the increased frequency of extreme precipitation events, storms, floods, and lengthening periods of shortterm drought that are hitting the Northeast. Actions to improve water management include:
• Practice sanitary farming practices (e.g. clean equipment in-between fields) to reduce the spread of pests and pathogens.
1. Focus on Soil Health
• Improve irrigation efficiency by using the latest technologies, such as micro-, subsurface, or drip irrigation; utilize reclaimed water if possible to conserve water during droughts.
Warming temperatures and extreme rainfall or drought will increase the
• Install tile drainage in fields to remove excess water and control runoff. • Expand or improve water supply
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systems to meet future demand, and increase water storage capacity by constructing deeper wells and ponds.
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4. Diversify Farm Enterprises, Species, Crop Varieties, and Breeds Diversifying farm enterprises, crops, and animals is a self-insurance policy for managing uncertainty in a constantly-changing environment. Choosing a diversity of crops or animal species builds financial resiliency by reducing overall losses due to extreme weather events
and market fluctuations. The following recommendations urge consideration of options to reduce these risks:
For Further Information • Cornell’s Climate Smart Farming (LINK: http://climatesmartfarming.org) provides research based information, resources and decision tools to help farmers in New York and the Northeast to:
• Be open to change. Choose a variety of commodities, farm products and services that insulate against weather, environmental, market, and geopolitical threats.
• Increase farm resiliency;
• Diversify crop production by extending crop rotations and intercropping with multiple species or varieties.
• Sustainably increase productivity and farming incomes; • Reduce GHG emissions through energy efficiency and renewable energy.
• Select crop varieties based on maturity dates and genetics to match anticipated season length, rainfall and drought patterns, and pest/pathogen pressures. • Consider controlled environment agriculture to extend the growing season, diversify operations, and decrease weather risks.
5. Reduce Livestock Stress from Extreme Temperatures Heat waves, without cooling periods at night, increase the potential for heat stress on dairy cattle and other livestock and poultry. In dairy cattle, this can negatively affect milk yield, productivity, and animal health. In all livestock and poultry, heat stress can negatively impact average daily gains, feed efficiency, productivity and animal health. Heat stress can have both immediate and life-long impacts to young animals. Employ these strategies to reduce environmental stress: • Ensure that dairy facilities are well ventilated and have proper cooling mechanisms in place. This includes calf housing, lactating and dry cow facilities, and access to shade while on pasture. • Use fans and sprinkler systems controlled with automatic sensors to reduce the risk of heat stress on all animals. • All animal classes should have access to fresh, clean water. • Monitor and adjust diets for daily intakes. Rations should be balanced to meet animal needs at a reduced
• Your local Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County office (LINK: www.sullivancce.org)
6. Engage in Farm Planning and Adaptive Management
• Find your local USDA office (LINK: https://www.farmers.gov/connect)
Building resilience against climaterelated threats requires careful planning and review of farm operations and the whole business. Baseline data is required to make wholefarm management decisions. These practices can help increase the sustainability of the farm:
• FAO Climate Smart Agriculture Sourcebook (LINK: http://www.fao.org/ docrep/018/i3325e/i3325e.pdf)
• Develop an adaptation plan to identify your risks and practices to remediate them. • Conduct a whole-farm energy audit to increase energy efficiency and opportunities for renewable energy sources. • Utilize precision farming apps and weather and climate tools (such as climatesmartfarming.org) to make more informed crop production decisions. • New and renovated farm buildings should be energy efficient and designed to withstand predicted weather conditions, including severe heat, heavy rainfall, wind, and snow loads. • When purchasing new farm equipment, select options to maximize fuel efficiency and decrease labor and time constraints. • Consider purchasing crop insurance to reduce economic risks.
intake during periods of heat stress.
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• NOAA National Climatic Data Center (LINK: https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/ cdo-web/) • USDA Adaptation Resources for Agriculture Workbook (LINK: https:// www.climatehubs.oce.usda.gov/sites/ default/files/adaptation_resources_ workbook_ne_mw.pdf)
Copyright November 2018 Developed by members of the Cornell Climate Smart Farming Team: Tyler Brewer (Cornell ‘19), Allison Chatrchyan, Sarah Ficken, Laura McDermott, Kim Morrill, and Kitty O’Neil. We gratefully acknowledge the input received from five external reviewers of the document. The Cornell Climate Smart Farming Program delivers trusted, researchbased information, tools, and training for agricultural stakeholders in the Northeast. Cornell CSF is a program of the Cornell Institute for Climate Smart Solutions. For more information visit www. climatesmartfarming.org, or contact us at cicss@cornell.edu
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THE IMPORTANCE OF A BUSINESS PLAN Submitted by Nat Tompkins, Ag Business Coordinator Whether you’re starting a small business or exploring ways to expand an existing one, a business plan is an important tool to help guide your decisions. Think of it as a roadmap to success, providing greater clarity on all aspects of your business, from marketing and finance to operations and product/service details. When you are contemplating a tasty new specialty food or beverage product to build a business around, you want to get to the feasibility of your idea—meaning how successful it might really be. Feasibility is the first step in your food entrepreneurial journey because not all ideas are opportunities. An idea is only an opportunity when the consumer sees your product on the shelf, they try it for the first time, and then buy it again. The biggest hurdle is getting them back the second time and beyond, being a Repeat Purchase, leading to consumer loyalty or consumer preference. While some owners may be tempted to jump directly into startup mode, writing a business plan checks the viability of a business before investing too much time or money. It helps articulate a strategy and provides insight on steps to be taken, resources required for achieving business goals, and a timeline of anticipated results. For existing small businesses, a business plan should be updated annually to guide growth and navigate the expansion into new markets. Your plan should include explicit objectives for hiring new employees, spelling out their duties, and indicating how they’ll help your business prosper and grow. Areas that a food production business Page 6
plan should cover include: • Nature of the business. An outline of the food business and what the trading activities of the business will be • Business background. Details of your experience in the area of your new business • Business aims and objectives. What do you want to achieve? These aims and objectives should be quantifiable and should be split between short term (i.e. next 12 months) and longer term (i.e. next 3 years) • Main products and services. A description of the main food products and services that your new business will be providing • Market research. Details of the research you have carried out with respect to your new business idea this will highlight the areas you can capitalize on and whether there is a need within the market place for what your business will provide. • SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis. Analysis of your new business and that of your competitors - this process can identify areas of opportunity for your new business which you may not have previously considered • Location and image. Where will your business operate from and what experience do you want your customers to have when they deal with you? • Legal aspects. Issues such as health and safety, insurance requirements and employment law • Cash flow and profit and loss projections. These projections should show your anticipated activity (usually for the next three years) and should be based on all of the information gathered as part of your business plan. It is important that these projections are realistic. Otherwise, you may find yourself having to face an uncomfortable inancial situation. • Break even analysis. One of the most important pieces of information contained within your business plan. The break-even point of your business will be the turnover required to cover all costs of the business (be sure to include as a cost any monies which you
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may need to take as earnings)
Finally, a business plan can be important in providing structure and management objectives to a small business. It can become a reference tool to keep management on track with sales targets and operational milestones. When used properly and consulted regularly, it can help you measure and manage what you’re working so hard to create. Don’t forget to consider insurance coverage in your business plan. When the unexpected happens, you want to make sure your small business is covered. Customized insurance solutions are crucial to protecting and keeping your operation going.
Sources: What is the Importance of a Business Plan? (2018, September 24). Retrieved from https://blog.nationwide.com/ importance-of-a-business-plan/ Celentano, D. (2018, August 15).The Quick and Easy Way to Write a Food Business Plan. Retrieved from https://www.thebalancesmb. com/write-a-business-plan-to-start-your-foodbusiness-1326189 Account, A. (2009, July 16). The importance of business planning. Retrieved from https://www.accountingweb. com/practice/practice-excellence/ the-importance-of-business-planning
PREVENTING GARLIC BLOAT NEMATODE Submitted by Bridget Kackos, Program Assistant Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is in the onion family. For thousands of years it has been grown for culinary and medicinal uses. Garlic grows in a wide range of conditions; while most production is in mild areas, like California, some varieties grow well in cold climates, often with better flavor. There are two types of garlic, hardneck (or topset) and softneck. Hardneck garlic produces false flower stalks, called scapes. It typically has a half dozen cloves per bulb, plus or minus, while softneck types have twice that many. Softneck garlic dominates commodity production but in New England many growers prefer hardneck types for retail sale due to their flavor and appearance, which often includes a reddish purple clove covering versus the white color common to softneck types. After centuries of cultivation, garlic has lost the ability to produce seeds so it is vegetatively propagated by saving bulbs from year to year and planting the cloves. The small bulbils produced on hardneck scapes can be used for propagation, but it takes several years of planting and selection to achieve marketable size bulbs. The presence of the stem and bulb, or “bloat” nematode (Ditylenchus dipsaci) in garlic throughout New England requires that garlic growers take new precautions at planting time to ensure a healthy crop next year. Transport on seed is the primary means for spread of the bloat nematode from farm to farm and from garden to garden. Without a seed certification program in place some growers are wondering how
they should source and treat new seed introduced onto the farm. The first step is to find sources of healthylooking seed from reliable growers whose seed lots that have tested negative for Garlic Bloat Nematode (GBN). However, this result is not a guarantee that every bulb that the grower produced is free of bloat nematode; it is only a guarantee that the garlic used in the test is GBN free! Additionally, new seed may come with Fusarium or surface molds. To minimize risk of infesting established seed stock, and to promote healthy and vigorous garlic next year, include a few safeguards and best practices in your fall plans. The dry, resting stage of the nematodes can survive in the field for long periods. Use your planting maps to help you establish a 4-year rotation (at minimum) out of host crops which include Alliums (garlic, onions, leek, chives), parsley, celery, and salsify as well as weeds Canadian thistle and hairy nightshade. This is a best practice for garlic which will also reduce other diseases. Create a planting map for the garlic, and separate the new seed from your existing seed stock. Although GBN can move no more than one foot in soil on its own, it is easily spread by water run-off, contaminated equipment, shoes or clothes, and by any other means of moving infested soil. Separate new seed from your established seed stocks to prevent movement with erosion or cultivation. Place your new garlic where you will be able to plant and cultivate it separately, and clean equipment between plots as you would for other soil-borne diseases. Label each garlic seed lot clearly in the field for reference next year.
anything that looks suspect. Discard cloves with unhealthy looking basal plates, with dents or lesions on or under the wrapper leaf, and any cloves that feel unusually light. Do not compost these cloves---either bury them away from the field or throw them away. During the growing season, cull suspicious looking plants and have them tested for GBN. Selecting the most suspicious plants gives you the highest probability of detecting GBN, if present. If a seed certification program is developed, farm inspectors will take this step for you. Until then, you can act as your own informal inspector. If any garlic on your farm turns out to be positive for GBN, you can still sell it as food. Clearly label this garlic as for table use only. Avoid returning any infested bulbs, plant tops, or scales to your fields or compost piles; bag and discard off the farm. For further information on production methods (including varieties, spacing, seeding, and fertility), weed, disease, and insect management, please visit the New England Vegetable Management Guide website.
Source: Stewart, Crystal.“Planting a Healthy Garlic Crop.” Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment. December 07, 2016. Accessed October 12, 2018. https:// ag.umass.edu/vegetable/fact-sheets/ planning-healthy-garlic-crop.
Carefully feel and look at each clove during this process, and remove
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DHI Report: OCTOBER
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PREVENTING WEIGHT GAIN Submitted by Malinda Ware, Senior Issue Leader If you’re currently at a healthy weight, you’re already one step ahead of the game. To stay at a healthy weight, it’s worth doing a little planning now. Or maybe you are overweight but aren’t ready to lose weight yet. If this is the case, preventing further weight gain is a worthy goal. As people age, their body composition gradually shifts — the proportion of muscle decreases and the proportion of fat increases. This shift slows their metabolism, making it easier to gain weight. In addition, some people become less physically active as they get older, increasing the risk of weight gain. The good news is that weight gain can be prevented by choosing a lifestyle that includes good eating habits and daily physical activity. By avoiding weight gain, you avoid higher risks of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, and some forms of cancer.
Get Moving! In addition to a healthy eating plan, an active lifestyle will help you maintain your weight. By choosing to add more physical activity to your day, you’ll increase the amount of calories your body burns. This makes it more likely you’ll maintain your weight.
Ask yourself—
Although physical activity is an integral part of weight management, it’s also a vital part of health in general. Regular physical activity can reduce your risk for many chronic diseases and it can help keep your body healthy and strong.
If you ask yourself these questions and find that you’ve decreased your activity level or made some poor food choices, make a commitment to yourself to get back on track. Set some reasonable goals to help you get more physical activity and make better food choices.
Self-monitoring You may also find it helpful to weigh yourself on a regular basis. If you see a few pounds creeping on, take the time to examine your lifestyle. With these strategies, you make it more likely that you’ll catch small weight gains more quickly.
Choosing an Eating Plan to Prevent Weight Gain So, how do you choose a healthful eating plan that will enable you to maintain your current weight? The goal is to make a habit out of choosing foods that are nutritious and healthful. If your goal is to prevent weight gain, then you’ll want to choose foods that supply you with the appropriate number of calories to maintain your weight. This number varies from person to person. It depends on many factors, including your height, weight, age, sex, and activity level.
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• Has my activity level changed? • Am I eating more than usual? You may find it helpful to keep a food diary for a few days to make you more aware of your eating choices.
Want to learn more? Keeping the Weight Off Losing weight is the first step. Once you’ve lost weight, you’ll want to learn how to keep it off. Source: “Healthy Weight.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May 15, 2015. Accessed November 28, 2018. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/ prevention/index.html.
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December Focus: Fast Facts, Cool Tools, & News to Use!
December is Write a BusinNational an Month! (See ess Pla pg. 6) 1 in 5 older adults tss n intimate int intima timate abused by an re abused abus ab y partner are by n intimate intim in ntimate partner p both an and another they d ano anoth nother person p trust—such ust— t— —such as an adult child orr grandchild. 2017, d o g In 201 1 17, domestic sti ticc violence shelters and programs ogr ogram g ams reported p seeing at t least llea east 42,589 survivors over over the age g of 60—an 8 percent percent increasee perce from 2016. If you or anyone yon onee you y know kno ow is experiencing violence v olence viol or abuse from a partner, p pa , please call the National Nat atio ional Domestic Violence Hot Hotline, H otlin ne, at 1-800-799-7233 33 3 and a d 1-800-787-3224 (TTY). TTY) TTY) ).
#ccesullivan #catskillskitchen #tastenywoodburyy
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New York has more forests than any other state in the Northeast. With th 118.9 million acres of forestland, that’s o nearly an acre n ffor or o each and every New Ne N ew w Yorker.
Don’t Be S
alty...
Sodium is t r y i n g to h ide in man p re p a c k a g y e d p ro d u c t s . Check the label! Sodium lo we r t h a n 5 % d a i ly v ( DV ) i s c o alue n s i d e re d “ L ow ”. H i gh e than 20% r DV m e a n “ H i g h”. A i m f o r ve ry little so dium! Lose the s a l t s h a ke r . Use herb and spice s s to s e a s o n yo u r f o o d i n s te a d .
The fiber use make linen fabrics comesdfrtoom stem of the flax pla inside the source of linseed u nt, also the sed for oil.
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December Focus: Fast Facts, Cool Tools, & News to Use!
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189
Inclusion Survey responses received
Over 200 4-H y youth and
clubs were awarded at 4-H Achievement Night
TAI CHI FOR FALL PREVENTION O
LIBERTY BELLESS GET G COOKING COO G
November 1
November 6, 9
The Caregiver Resource Center’s Tai Chi for Fall Prevention wrapped up to another full house in the Town of Highland. Stay tuned for 2019 offerings of this population series!
4-H ACHIEVEMENT NIGHT November 2 CCE’s 4-H Youth Development Program celebrated the accomplishments of more than 200 Sullivan County youngsters at the Annual 4-H Achievement Night. Thanks to our friends at Bethel Woods for hosting this special event!
CATSKILLS KITCHEN GROWS November 3, 6, 9, 13, 27 There were 2 users, 10 hours, 2 new tours, and 1 new user inspection with NYS Ag & Markets in the Catskills Kitchen this month. The 24-hour state-of-the-art business incubator is here for Hudson Valley Catskills small food processors looking to get their start.
OUTREACH @ SOUL FOOD CAFE
Our friends with the Liberty Belles Community Group made holiday cookies in our Catskills Kitchen for their holiday party and fundraiser. We’re so happy to be able to support this group’s civic outreach and community activities. Happy holidays to the Belles!
4-H CLUBS MEET AT CCE November 6, 10, 24 4-H clubs hosted their monthly meetings and programs at the Extension Education Center. Consider our community learning space for your group’s next meeting or activity! Call Beth for more information at 845-292-6180.
MEDICATION MANAGEMENT November 8 A Medication Management workshop was offered by the Caregiver Resource Center at the Extension Education Center. This workshop helps folks understand how to safely administer, store, and dispose of their medications, with the help of their caregivers and physicians.
November 5, 19, 26 Every Monday, Extension staff bring information and free, hands-on activities to engage the families at Soul Food Cafe in Liberty.
OUTREACH @ ENGN November 7, 14, 21, 28 Extension staff take turns working remotely at the ENGN Center in Callicoon weekly on Wednesdays. Stop on by and see what’s new!
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Liberty y Belles
cook
in the Catskills Kitchen 4-H POLICY REVIEW November 26 4-H staff and volunteers got together on this rainy night over coffee and cookies to review program policies and procedures. Then the group broke up into groups to brainstorm to think about how to modernize the Sullivan County 4-H Youth Development program while honoring the program’s roots.
WELLNESS CIRCLE November 27 The monthly Bocagirl Sullivan180 Wellness Circle had their monthly meeting here at Extension. This free, informal group supports each other in their journey to wellness. Consider inquiring with SueAnn to learn more about it.
MASTER GARDENER LUNCHEON November 28 Master Gardener Volunteers were celebrated over a healthy lunch and a hands-on tutorial on making pomanders with Program Committee Member Diana Weiner. We appreciate everything our MGVs do all year long!
HORSE BOWL BEGINS DIVERSITY & INCLUSION STAFF COMMITTEE November 8 CCE Diversity & Inclusion staff committee held their monthly meeting and discussed ideas, resources, and tools available to the staff and reviewed the Inclusion Survey results from 189 responses! The team chose to discuss new NYS Sexual Harassment Law at the next staff meeting.
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November 30 The 4-H Equine Program hosted their first Horse Bowl Practice in preparation for the Hudson Valley regional event. Good luck to our horse “crazy” kids in February!
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HUDSON VALLEY CATSKILLS WELCOME CENTER - TASTE NY Written byVanessa Pahucki,Taste NY Market Manager Governor Cuomo launched Taste NY in 2013 to promote New York’s food and beverage industries and drive agritourism throughout the State. The exposure from Taste NY has helped the farms and companies participating in the program to reach more customers, increase online sales, and, in many cases, expand the processing capacity of their business. Taste NY’s food and beverage businesses also support the State’s farmers by using New York grown and produced ingredients in their products. Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County (CCE Sullivan) was tapped by NYS to open the much anticipated, Hudson Valley Catskills Welcome Center and Taste NY Woodbury at the Woodbury Commons Premium Outlets in Central Valley. “This location is designed for those
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who produce and grow within NYS, most predominately in the Hudson Valley and Catskills regions,” said CCE Sullivan Executive Director Colleen Monaghan. “The beauty of shopping with an exclusive network of local farms, food artisans, and makers is that it keeps dollars in our friends’ and neighbors’ pockets, supporting local economic development, rather than sending our dollars out of the state.” CCE Sullivan credits the success of the Taste NY Woodbury location to the careful selection of farmers and makers with a focus on high quality products that appeal to a variety of consumers. “This is precisely what sets Taste NY apart from other retailers,” said Market Manager Vanessa Pahucki. “With help from our partner Extension offices across the region, we’ve been able to offer a product list that spans from local honey and bath and body care products, to
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hard carved cutting boards and wool products. The Hudson Valley Catskills region is so fortunate to have talented, hard-working farmers, producers, and makers and we’re thrilled to be able to provide what we hope will be a thriving market opportunity, at a site that hosts more than 14 million visitors per year!” While perusing local specialty food items, visitors receive an education in NYS tourism from trained store clerks and educators. The Hudson Valley Catskills Welcome Center boasts a waterfall; 360-degree panoramic screen highlighting the best of NYS agriculture and tourism locations; and five interactive kiosks filled with fun quizzes that when completed, provide the visitor with tips and informative tidbits to enhance their NYS tourism experience. The Hudson Valley Catskills Welcome Center and Taste NY Woodbury location opened on October 26, 2018 and is open for your holiday shopping experience!
Connect with Taste NY at Woodbury Commons! Facebook & Instagram: @tastenywoodbury Hashtag: #tastenywoodbury Email: tastenywoodbury@cornell.edu Web: sullivancce.org/agriculture/taste-ny-at-woodbury Extension Connection
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CCE Sullivan Spotlights
Farm Spotlight APPLE POND FARM Sonja Hedlund and Richard Riseling founded Apple Pond Farm and Renewable Energy Center in 1973. This 81-acre farm is located in Callicoon Center, NY where they raise sheep, goats, turkeys, chickens, hay, and organic vegetables. Over the years, there have been 143 horses born on the farm. Apple Pond Farm has educational programs where they have trained more than 200 farmer apprentices, operated a horse-drawn wagon ride service at local hotels, conducted 65 farming with horses workshops and 62 renewable energy workshops, and provided educational agricultural and ecological tours to thousands of visitors. Sonja and Dick have been an almost completely energy independent farm for 15 years with the use of wind turbines, solar electric, solar thermal, heat pumps, straw bale house, used vegetable powered truck, and use of horses for most farm work. You can purchase their products at the farm where you can visit their miniature Sicilian donkey, Arlo, and border collie, Molly, who both love to meet visitors. The farmers encourage folks to use less, and produce their own energy.
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Catskills Kitchen Spotlight MAGIC MAPLE FOODS Magic Maple Foods is a local business located in Bloomingburg, NY owned by Anthony Espinal. Anthony grew up in Vermont where he quickly learned to love fresh maple syrup. He then incorporated his love for syrup as the main ingredient in his products, Fruit Nut Clusters. Magic Maple Foods was originally founded in 2016 but was not launched into full swing until early 2018 and now sells 5 standard flavors of clusters as well as 1 seasonal pumpkin spice flavor. Since the start of his business, he has increased sales to approximately 500600 clusters per month. Anthony has been involved in the food industry since he was a teenager and has always had an interest in feeding people. He truly enjoys bringing people joy through food and having a healthy product to share with his family and friends. All of the Fruit Nut Clusters are vegan and gluten free as well as made without fillers or chemicals. Anthony wanted to create a product for conscious consumers that is clean, healthy, and made with all natural ingredients. Magic Maple Foods products can be found in Boldville, NY, at a local farmers’ market, and online through Etsy.
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Staff Spotlight THARICIA MCZORN Tharicia “Thai” McZorn has worked in the human service field for over 15 years. She is a veteran in helping youth and families across the Hudson Valley connect to resources and communities. Tharicia has worked as an educator for Adolescent Health, Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Reproductive Health Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Prevention and advocacy. Thai also managed the SNUG (GUNS spelled backwards) anti-gun violence program in Newburgh, NY. Recently having relocated back from Richmond, Virginia, Tharicia was the contracting manager for the Virginia Department of Health Abstinence Education Grant (Sexual Risk Avoidance) and Teen Parenting Programs throughout the state, and was able to help build stronger programming for youth. Tharicia’s new journey has set sail at CCE as the Parenting & Family Life Educator in Sullivan County, NY. Welcome to our team, Thai!
CCE Sullivan Spotlights
4-H Spotlight CLAIRE FLYNNE “The All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen” is selected each year by the results of a contest at the All American Quarter Horse Congress. Quarter Horse Queens from each state and some Canadian provinces compete for the highly coveted title. The winner should exemplify superior horsemanship, knowledge of the breed, and the western way of life. In October, I had the honor of competing as New York State Queen in the 2018 Congress Queen Contest. The four pillars of 4-H guided me through the contest. I remembered that a queen’s head should be used for clearer thinking. Her heart should be loyal. Her hands should be dedicated to larger service. Her health should be utilized for better living. Through 4-H, I learned to clear my head of doubts and focus on working hard to achieve my goal. Though I have gone over the rainbow and aged out of 4-H, the program taught me valuable lessons that I will carry though life. Thank you Sullivan County 4-H!”
Volunteer Spotlight SMALL TOWN COUNTRY 4-H LEADERS
Nominate Nom minate a Star
4-H Leaders Cindy Herbert, Jennifer Nystrom, Jenny Phelps, Jackie Rutledge, and Kara McElroy are the dynamic core of individuals who keep the Small Town Country 4-H Club active in project work and engaged in their community. Chartered in 2013, the club has always encouraged members to pursue a wide range of interests, but in 2018 added an alpaca project to their long list of accomplishments. Working with Buck Brook Alpacas, they have showcased project activities at community events, the Sullivan County Youth Fair, and the first annual Catskill Fiber Festival.
Know someone who deserves deserv ves the shine of spotlight? the spo otlight?
These special volunteers also led their 12 members through 24 separate community service opportunities in 2018 alone, representing hundreds of hours of service learning experiences with positive impacts on the county. Capstone to this year’s impressive record of service was the club’s visioning, organizing, and implementation of the first ever Sullivan County 4-H “Live, Love, Serve: 4-H 5K Race”, initiated in October, to be held annually to raise scholarship funds for local youth.
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Email Nicole Slevin: nas96@cornell.edu
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SCHOLARSHIPS FOR EVERYBODY CCESC Association Scholarship For General Public | Amount Varies
Deadline to Apply: Rolling
To stimulate interest in educational programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County. In the event of financial limitations that prevent a Sullivan County resident from receiving educational services, program fees may be partially covered by this scholarship. Sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County, and Sullivan Renaissance. Inquire with CCESC.
TICKETS AVAILABLE UNTIL DEC 12 The CCE Unique & Antique prize drawing winners will be pulled at our Annual Meeting on December 12 (need not be present to win). There are 10 chances to win!! Tickets are just $10 each. Call 845-292-6180 or visit www.sullivancce.org to learn more.
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Let’s Get Social!
• Facebook.com/ccesullivan • Twitter.com/ccesullivan
• Instagram.com/cce_sullivan_county • YouTube > bitly.com/ccesullivan
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MANAGING PAIN: MOVING BEYOND OPIOIDS Submitted by Bonnie Lewis, RN Dependent Care Educator
more precise ways to treat pain and working to develop new treatments to combat opioid misuse and addiction.
Most people experience some kind of pain during their lives. Pain serves an important purpose: it warns the body when it’s in danger. Think of when your hand touches a hot stove. But ongoing pain causes distress and affects quality of life. Pain is the number one reason people see a doctor.
Opioids Not Always Needed
Pain control has been in the news due to a class of drugs called opioids, often used to treat pain. One reason, explains NIH pain expert Dr. Michael Oshinsky, is that opioids work well for many people. Opioids can stop the body from processing pain on many levels, from the skin to the brain. Because they work throughout the body, he says, “Opioids can be very effective for multiple types of pain.” But opioids also produce feelings of happiness and well-being. And they’re reinforcing: the more people take them, the more they crave them. This can lead to addiction, or continuing to take opioids despite negative consequences. Scientists have not yet been able to develop opioids that reduce pain without producing these addicting effects, Oshinsky explains. The longer someone takes opioids, the more they may need to take to get the same effect. This is called tolerance. Having a high tolerance doesn’t always mean you’ll become addicted. But taking higher doses of opioids increases the risk for both addiction and overdose. The U.S. is now in the grip of an opioid crisis. Every day, more than 100 Americans die from an opioid overdose. This number includes deaths from prescription opioids. NIH is funding research into new and Page 26
Acute pain is short-term pain and other drugs may be effective, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Using something other than an opioid first can be especially important to manage acute pain. Healthcare providers who decide their patient needs an opioid are now being encouraged to give only a few pills at a time. People who receive shorter prescriptions are less likely to misuse their pills by taking more than prescribed or taking them after the pain is gone. This also cuts down the chance that the pills could be taken by others. Managing chronic pain is more complicated than treating acute pain. More than 25 million people in the U.S. alone live with chronic pain, which is pain that lasts more than three months. Many things can cause chronic pain. With chronic pain driven by brain changes, the brain may continue to perceive pain even though the injury has healed. For people with this type of chronic pain, sometimes called central pain, opioids and some other kinds of pain medications can actually make the pain worse. Research has shown that talk therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can help many people with chronic central pain by helping to manage related health problems, such as sleeping, feeling tired, or trouble concentrating. This can increase quality of life for people with chronic pain. It can also have overlapping effects. “Pain processing and sleep and thinking and mood all share the same neurotransmitters in the brain,” Williams says. “So, by improving
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something like sleep, you’re also improving pain.” People with certain types of pain have also been shown to benefit from exercise, acupuncture, massage therapy, yoga and from devices that stimulate the nerves directly to block pain signals from reaching the brain. Different devices can work on different parts of the nervous system, from the nerves in the skin to the spinal cord.
Dealing with Pain Safely Things you can do if you’re prescribed an opioid: Ask if there are ways besides opioids to relieve your pain. Make sure your healthcare provider knows about all other medications you are taking. Let your healthcare provider know if you or others in your family have had any problems with addiction, such as with alcohol, prescription medications, or illicit drugs. Ask about the risks of taking an opioid. Ask how to take the opioid and how long you should take it. Never use alcohol when taking an opioid. Store opioids in a safe place out of sight and out of reach of children, preferably in a locked cabinet. Dispose of leftover prescription medicine quickly and properly.
Source: “Managing Pain.” National Institutes of Health. November 02, 2018. Accessed November 28, 2018. https://newsinhealth.nih. gov/2018/10/managing-pain.
STRATEGIES TO BRIDGE GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES Submitted by Marylin Jones, 4-H Program Coordinator For the first time in history five generations will soon be working side by side with a new generation already succeeding millennials: • Gen Z, iGen, or Centennials: Born 1996 • Millennials or Gen Y: Born 1977 – 1995 • Generation X: Born 1965 – 1976 • Baby Boomers: Born 1946 – 1964 • Traditionalists or Silent Generation: Born 1945 and before Generational differences are challenging leaders and organizations in unprecedented ways. This ranges from communication and management to marketing and market share. What worked five years ago can completely fail with Millennials or Gen Z today. It’s important to be aware of generational tension, loosely defined as a lack of respect for someone who’s of a different generation from you, and to recognize that each generation has a distinct set of skills and experiences to bring to the table. Each of us holds a perspective, a set of filters through which we see the world shaping the way we think things should be, and this perspective is largely formed during our first 10-15 years of life. A generation is: • A group of people who witness the same historical events and had similar sociological influences • A group of people who are living at the same time and who are within a certain age range Traditionalists grew up during World War II, the Great Depression, the New Deal, birth of the space age and the rise of corporations, times of hardship followed by prosperity. Raised in traditional nuclear families, education was a dream. Task oriented with a dedicated work ethic, family and community is valued. Their relationship to technology is adaptive. Baby Boomers witnessed the cold war, civil rights, Vietnam, the sexual revolution, and space travel. Moms stayed at home but the disintegration of families had begun and
education was perceived as a birthright. Driven and valuing success, boomers are relationship and results oriented. Technology experience was acquired.
• Find ways to create shared values and common ground
Generation X experienced Watergate, the energy crisis, dual-income families and single parents, and now defined education as “a way to get there.” Task and results oriented in focus, their work ethic seeks balance. Technology assimilated into life.
• Be open and honest about your “hot buttons” (i.e., recurring sources of tension or conflict)
Though millennials grew up in a more childfocused world surrounded by digital media, other influences included school shootings, AIDS, terrorist attacks, and 9/11. Typically, children of divorce and merged families, millennials came to view education as an incredible expense. Ambitious, global, and networked, they value individuality and technology is integral. In contrast to their predecessors, the kids of Generation Z have never known a world without smartphones and social media. “They have grown up in an era where learning, flirting, and hanging out all happens on screens.” Unlike many millennials who returned home as adults, Gen Z has grown up in a healthier economy and are finding it easier to cut loose. Gen Z is much more diverse, often a mix of ethnicities. With social media they are accustomed to engaging with friends all over the world and are prepared for a global business environment. A 2015 NY Times article also notes, “despite their obvious technology proficiency, Gen Z seems to prefer in-person to online interaction and are being schooled in emotional intelligence from a young age. Many Gen Z youth intend to go to traditional college, but after that, their lives and careers are likely to be anything but traditional.” Tips for Working with Every Generation DO: • Recognize that generational differences influence our ideas, expectations, values, and behaviors • Acknowledge that everyone wants to be treated with respect and recognize that respect might look and feel different, based on differing experiences and perspectives • Know that you have different life experiences and can learn from others’ experiences and perspectives
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• Be willing to flex your natural style and preferences in order to work together effectively
• Give specific suggestions on what they can do to help you perform your best • Focus on what really matters – productivity, teamwork, and customer relationships • Challenge assumptions and raise awareness regarding multigenerational settings • Bring team members’ diverse perspectives and abilities out into the open DON’T: • Form quick negative conclusions based on generational differences • Stereotype (e.g., judging capabilities by appearances and differences) • Ridicule or make derogatory remarks like “dinosaur,” “bureaucrat,” “slacker,” or “kid” • Miss opportunities to improve communications and strengthen relationships • Assume every member of any given generation thinks or behaves exactly alike Sources: Knight,Rebecca.“Managing People from 5 Generations.” Harvard Business Review.August 12, 2015.Accessed November 28, 2018. https://hbr.org/2014/09/ managing-people-from-5-generations. https://advising.ucsc.edu/advisers/forum/ docs/2014/WB-Comm Across Generations Diversity Inclusion.pdf. “Inside the Race to Decipher Today’s Teens, Who Will Transform Society as We Know It.” The Washington Post. Accessed November 28, 2018. https://www.washingtonpost.com/ sf/style/2016/05/25/inside-the-race-todecipher-todays-teens-who-will-transformsociety-as-we-know-it/ Levit, Alexandra. “Make Way for Generation Z.” The New York Times. December 21, 2017. Accessed November 28, 2018. https:// www.nytimes.com/2015/03/29/jobs/ make-way-for-generation-z. http://www.wmfc.org/uploads/ GenerationalDifferencesChart.pdf.
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