June Extension Connection Magazine 2022

Extension Connection

USPS-525-100

Sullivan County

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

VOLUME XCIII NO. 6

JUNE 2022

Larry Schafman captures participants throwing colors into the air to celebrate the annual Fallsburg Elementary School Color Run.

Upcoming U pcoming Events Events & Programs Programs

Issue Isssue sue Highlights Higghhligghhts

Free Farm Stands & Mass Distribution

Flood-Related Hazards

Beginner Livestock Series

NY Tax Credits for Farm Employers, Including Overtime

4-H Horseback Riding Back Program

Move to Low-Fat or Fat-Free Dairy

4-H Pumpkin Growing Contest

“Vision Zero” Network Traffic Safety Approach

Healthy Living for Your Body and Brain Know 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Virtual Caregiver Support Groups Joan Howard Celebration of Life See more events and opportunities on sullivancce.org/events.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

Highlighting 4-H Still Exhibit Classes An Excerpt from Inside Insights: The Newsletter of the Sullivan County Manager May 2022 Looking for Efficiency in Home Design and Remodels Check out page 12 for fast facts about National Dairy Month and a Recipe!

Welcome W elcome to to the the Issue!

Issue!

Page 3 Message from the Executive Director Page 4 Flood-Related Hazards Page 6 NY Tax Credits for Farm Employers, Including Overtime Page 8 HOTM & FOTM Page 10 Move to Low-Fat or Fat-Free Dairy

Table Table of of Contents Contents Page 11 CCE Spotlights!

Page 12 Fast Facts!

Page 14 Vision Zero Network Traffic Safety Approach Page 16 Highlighting 4-H Still Exhibit Classes Page 18 Home Safety Page 20 Career Resource Center Happenings

Page 21 An Excerpt from Inside Insights: The Newsletter of the Sullivan County Manager May 2022 Page 22 Looking for Efficiency in Home Design and Remodels Page 23 Thanks, Sponsors!

Page 24 Joan Howard Celebration of Life

The Extension Connection (USPS-525-100) (USPS 525 100) is published monthly for $25.00 $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

Hours: Mon - Fri | 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Phone: 845-292-6180 E-mail: sullivan@cornell.edu Website: www.sullivancce.org Facebook.com/ccesullivanagfood Instagram.com/ccesullivan YouTube: bitly.com/ccesullivan

Produced by: Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County Edited by: Nicole Slevin Nikolados, Erin Denman & Colleen Monaghan 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 sponsorships for the Extension Connection.

STAFF MEMBERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dara Smith............................President John “JP” Lang...............Vice President Denise Frangipane................Secretary John Kiefer............................Treasurer Nadia Rajsz.................Legislative Rep. Adam Hughes..................Cornell Rep. Marcie Ehrman Freda Eisenberg Amanda Langseder Juanita Sarmiento Gary Silver Gary Silverman Justin Sutherland

PROGRAM COMMITTEE Alex Alorro Heather Brown Roberta Chambers Samara Ferris Cynthia Hernandez-Gonzalez Robert Kaplan DeeDee Malloy Desmond Oxford McDaniel Danielle Sykes Eugene Thalmann Deborah Worden

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Colleen Monaghan..............................................................................Executive Director Patricia Avery......................................Caregiver Resource Center Program Coordinator Thomas Bosket....................................................................SALT/DFC Program Manager SueAnn Boyd.........................................................Healthy Schools Program Coordinator Fabio Campanati............................Sullivan Fresh & Shop Taste NY Program Coordinator Elizabeth Clancy-DiBartolo......................................Sullivan Fresh Program Coordinator Martin Colavito................................................Community Cupboard Program Manager Kaitlyn Conklin............................................................................................4-H Educator Wanda V. Cruz..............................................Healthy Communities Program Coordinator Erin Denman...............................................................................Operations Coordinator Erica Lynch..........................................................Catskills Kitchen Program Coordinator Melinda Meddaugh.......................................................Ag & Food Systems Issue Leader Clarisse Owens.............................................................Sullivan Fresh Program Manager Vivian Monsanto...............................................................................Finance Coordinator Barbara Moran................................................4-H Youth Development Program Manager Bee Moser........................................................................SNAP-Ed New York Nutritionist Kendra Payne.............................................................................Digital Marketing Manager Vanessa Petrossian..................................Director of State & Regional Ag Market Initiatives Abyssinia Pla El...................................................................................Finance Coordinator Michelle Proscia..............................................................................Agriculture Educator John Mastrangelo............................................................................Assistant Ag Market Manager Nicole A. Slevin Nikolados..............................................Administrator & Director of DEI Ashley Tully...............................................................................Ag Business Coordinator Tara VanHorn........................................................................................Finance Manager Malinda Ware........................................................................................Program Director Sean Welsh.............................................................................Energy Resource Educator John Wilcox..........................................................................................Facilities Manager Judy Arpadi, Cherene Audain, Christopher Jones.................................Ag Market Coordinators

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Dear friends of Extension, Happy spring Extension folks!

May is a busy and exciting time at Extension. We’re still on the road with our friends from SALT delivering meals for nearly 700 neighbors a week through the Sullivan Fresh Community Cupboard program. Planning and preparation is in high gear for the Sullivan Fresh Farmers’ Market season, with the team adding two new stops this year, in Bloomingburg and Woodridge. This month we also welcomed new staff member Clarisse Owens to help round out the Agriculture and Food Systems team.

In addition, recently hired Caregiver Resource Center Coordinator Patricia Avery has been out and about getting to know the Sullivan County service network and is hosting weekly and monthly support groups for general caregivers and caregivers of individuals with dementia related diseases. These programs are free for you, so don’t forget to visit our events page at sullivancce.org for updates on days and times!

In addition, we’re seeking volunteers interested in serving on both our Board of Directors and our Program Advisory Committee. If you are over 18 and live in Sullivan County, you are eligible to be considered! Those interested can email their resume and interests to sullivan@cornell.edu and we’ll work to find a volunteer service fit.

Lastly, it’s a little early, but I’m hoping y’all will mark your calendars to attend the Sullivan County Youth Fair, hosted at the Grahamsville Little World’s Fair the third weekend of August. The 4-H Ag Livestock Auction will be held at 1:00pm in the Upper Show Ring on Sunday, August 21st. All are invited to see the animals and ag wares Sullivan County kids have been working on all year, with an opportunity to bid on their products in support of the Sullivan County 4-H Youth Development Program.

In the meantime, enjoy your spring and early summer gardening, hiking, and just soaking in some warm weather.

Cheers, Cheers,

Colleen Monaghan Executive Director, cm638@cornell.edu

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FLOOD-RELATED HAZARDS Submitted by Colleen Monaghan, Executive Director

Flooding is a coast-tocoast threat to the United States and its territories in all months of the year.

Flooding typically occurs when prolonged rain falls over several days, when intense rain falls over a short period of time, or when an ice or debris jam causes a river or stream to overflow onto the surrounding area. Flooding can also result from the failure of a water control structure, such as a levee or dam.

The most common cause of flooding is water due to rain and/or snowmelt that accumulates faster than soils can absorb it or rivers can carry it away.

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Flash Flooding Flash floods are exactly what the name suggests: floods that happen in a flash! Flash floods generally develop within 6 hours of the immediate cause. Causes of flash flooding include heavy rain, ice or debris jams, and levee or dam failure.

These floods exhibit a rapid rise of water over low-lying areas.

There are many reasons that flash floods occur, but one of the most common is the result of copious amounts of rainfall from thunderstorms. Sudden downpours can rapidly change the water levels in a stream or creek and turn small waterways into violent, raging rivers.

Steep, hilly, or

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mountainous terrain produces rapid runoff and quick stream response, since the water will travel downhill at greater speeds into rivers and over land. Rocky terrain can exacerbate the development of flash floods and raging waters since rocks and clay soils do not allow as much water to infiltrate the ground.

River Flooding River flooding occurs when river levels rise and overflow their banks or the edges of their main channel and inundate areas that are normally dry. River flooding can be caused by heavy rainfall, dam failures, rapid snowmelt and ice jams.

River flooding is classified as Minor, Moderate, or Major based on water height and impacts along the river that have been coordinated with the NWS and local officials. Minor river flooding means that low-lying areas adjacent to the stream or river, mainly rural areas and farmland and secondary roadways near the river flood. Moderate flooding means water levels rise high enough to impact homes and businesses near the river and some evacuations may be needed. Larger roads and highways may also be impacted. Major flooding means that extensive rural and/or urban flooding is expected. Towns may become isolated and major traffic routes may be flooded. Evacuation of numerous homes and business may be required.

Snowmelt Snowmelt flooding occurs when the major source of water involved in a flood is caused by melting snow. Unlike rainfall that can reach the soil almost immediately, the snowpack can store the water for an extended amount of time until temperatures rise above freezing and the snow melts. Once it begins to melt and reaches the soil, water from snowmelt behaves as it would if it

had come from rain, by either infiltrating into the soil, running off, or both. Flooding can occur when there is more water than the soil can absorb or can be contained in storage capacities in the soil, rivers, lakes and reservoirs.

High soil moisture conditions prior to snowmelt can contribute to snowmelt flooding.

Rainfall during the late fall is particularly important because there is less evapotranspiration and less time for the soil to drain and dry before it freezes. Deep, hard ground frost prevents snowmelt from infiltrating into the soil.

When snow cover is widespread, it usually keeps air temperatures cooler and delays spring warming, which increases the potential for more rapid snowmelt. Rain falling while snow is still on the ground contributes more water for flooding and helps to melt the snowpack, thus rain-onsnow events are watched carefully.

Questions?

Connect with Sean Welsh, Resource Educator and Community Energy Advisor by emailing him at sw288@ cornell.edu or give him a call at 845 2926180 ext. 127. He can talk with you about this article as well as any energy-related programs you may be eligible for.

Source: Adapted from https://www. weather.gov/safety/flood-hazards. March 13, 2022

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NY TAX CREDITS FOR FARM EMPLOYERS, INCLUDING OVERTIME corporations (including a New York S corporation), sole proprietorships, LLCs and partnerships are eligible. Only “farm The 2022-23 Budget Act for laborers” as defined in New York State contained NY labor law are eligible a couple of important tax employees. This makes credits for New York farm sense because these are the employers. Let’s take the only types of employees for simpler one first: whom overtime is required; Farm Workforce Retention family members and certain Credit executives, professionals, and administrative Since 2017 the state has personnel are excluded. offered a tax credit to farm employers that they can Eligible overtime hours receive for each farm worker include those in any employed. The amount calendar week that exceed started at $250 in 2017 and the overtime threshold set was up to $600 for 2021. The by the commissioner of amount of this tax credit is labor, up to 60 hours in a now doubled to $1,200 per week. This is important, only eligible farm employee who those hours between the worked at least 500 hours. threshold and 60 hours are Find more details from reimbursable through the the state’s Department of tax credits, any overtime Taxation and Finance. hours worked above 60 will Farm Employer Overtime not be reimbursed to the employer. Farm wineries Tax Credit and cideries who derive Overtime for farm more than 50% of their employees is a subject of income from beverage sales intense political debate will need to follow some in New York. After years special rules. Only workers of hearings, campaigns, employed on qualified wage board votes, and agricultural property will be other actions, we’re now waiting to hear exactly what eligible for the tax credit.

Only the overtime premium policy the Governor and Commissioner of Labor will is reimbursable through the tax credit. For example, if choose. The wage board the threshold is at 56 hours voted, over the objections of its farm representative, to in 2024, and an employee whose regular pay is $18/ recommend lowering the overtime threshold gradually hour works 58 hours in one week that year, then she will to 40 hours per week by be eligible for two hours 2032.With the recently of overtime pay. Overtime passed budget, New York is 150% of regular pay so state government created she will earn $27 for each a new tax credit that will overtime hour worked. Only essentially cover the cost of overtime for farm employers. the overtime premium, Here are a few details about the extra $9/hour over her regular rate, is eligible for the tax credit: reimbursement through the Farm employers who are Submitted by Ashley Tully, Agriculture Business Coordinator

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tax credit.

When pay goes up, marginal costs such as taxes and worker’s compensation premiums also go up.

Recognizing this, the overtime tax credit will allow employers to take 118% of the eligible overtime compensation to cover those additional costs.

Advance payments of tax credits for overtime premiums paid from January 1st to July 31st are possible. To receive advance payments, employers will need to prepare their claim and submit it to the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets.

NYS Ag and Markets will be involved in this process. They will develop an application process that employers will use to document their claim for the tax credit. Ag & Markets will then issue a certificate of tax credit to eligible employers.

All of the details of this process will need to be worked out.

Obviously, there are many details to work out in the coming years. Farm employers need to pay careful attention to their employee payroll record systems. It is essential to have accurate and detailed records of employee hours worked and overtime paid in order to take advantage of this important and potentially large tax credit.

Sources: Article from Cornell Cooperative Extension Agricultural Workforce Development, accessed May 18, 2022 from www.agworkforce.cals.cornell.edu.

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DHI Report:

April

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CCE Sullivan Spotlights

Program Spotlight HOY EN SULLIVAN (TODAY IN SULLIVAN) Hoy En Sullivan is a monthly published Spanish newspaper covering news and local happenings in Sullivan County, NY. This new publication offers a hard copy and digital news option accessible by the abundant Spanish speaking population in the county, which had been largely limited to La Voz bilingual monthly magazine out of Bard College covering the Hudson Valley.

According to US Census Quick Facts 2021, “Hispanic or Latino” people make up 16.8% of the population in Sullivan County. In the interest of keeping the local population informed on safety updates, community news stories, and events and opportunities, Hoy en Sullivan overcomes the language barrier and provides a method to access major headlines of the Sullivan County Democrat.

Share the Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County’s articles on avian influenza in the May issue with your Spanish speaking neighbors!

To learn more about Hoy en Sullivan, look them up on Instagram and Facebook, visit https://www. scdemocratonline.com/spanishnewspaper/, or contact its editor Rebeca C. Rivera at rrivera@scdemocrat.com.

Cover page for Hoy en Sullivan May/June 2022 issue.

Nominate a Star!

Know someone who deserves the shine of the spotlight?

Email Erin Denman, Association Operations Coordinator, at sullivan@cornell.edu.

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June Focus: Fast Facts, Cool Tools, & News to Use

airy D l a n o i t a N s i e Jun Month

You cannot lead a co w down stairs since their knee s don’t bend properly in tha t direction.

Dave Weiss from Weiss Dairy Farm

“The cow is of the bovine ilk: one end is moo, the other, milk.”

-Ogden Nash

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!

"

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Heathly Recipe of the Month!

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HIGHLIGHTLING 4-H STILL EXHIBIT CLASSES Submitted by Kaitlyn Conklin, 4-H Educator

keeping books, Scrap Books, Press Releases/ Editorials, 4-H Portfolio, Creative Writing, Posters & 3D Display boards and 4-H Banners. It also includes Performing Arts: showing Original Props, Original Scripts, Documentation, Public Presentations, and “Other” for performing arts related projects that do not fight in other classes.

While we are beginning to enjoy the warmer weather and nature coming out of dormancy, 4-H members and staff already have their sights set on the third week of August, the annual Sullivan County Youth Fair! Youth have already put so many hours into their animal and still exhibit projects, and there is lots more to be done before August! While animals have always been a huge attraction at the fair, walking around the Still Exhibit barn is especially exciting as one never knows from year to year what you’re going to see. Did you know there are nearly 400 individual classes youth can participate in under 4-H Still Exhibits? There is a class for everyone! Here is an abbreviated breakdown of the Still Exhibit book: • Department 1: Cloverbuds- Includes all Cloverbud classes!

• Department 2: Personal Development & • Department 4: Consumer Leadership- Includes Teen & Family SciencesLeader, Interactive fair Includes: The largest booths, 4-H Curriculum and most participated project books, and a class department; all things for “Other.” baking including Traditional, Healthy • Department 3: Alternatives and Heritage/ Communications & Cultural Foods, Recipe Expressive Arts – Includes Collections,Table 4-H Achievement/Record Page 16

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Settings, Preserved Foods, Maple Syrups, and Pet Treats. Also, Fine Arts & Crafts like: Drawings, Paintings, Jewelry, Pottery, Sculptures, Glasswork, Heritage Arts/Crafts, and Natural Fibers. Finally, this department includes Fabric Furnishings, Home Accessories, Hobby Crafts, Creative Framing,Wooden furniture/accessories, Wearable Art, Clothing

& Textiles, Original Pattern Designs, and Child Development/Care classes.

• Departments 5: Visual Arts- Includes:all things Photography andVideo Projects,Computer Graphics, Web Page Design,and PowerPoint Presentations!

• Department 6: Horticulture- Includes: Plant Collections, Horticulture Scrapbook/ Catalog, Experiments in the areas of Propagation, Breeding, Soil Science, Cultural Practices and Miscellaneous, 118 different classes of homegrown Vegetables, Flowers, Fruits, and Nuts to show,Vegetable Art, Dish Gardens,Terrariums, House Plants, Container Gardening, Floral Design/ Arrangements, Horticulture Methods, Landscape Design/Plans, 13 different classes of Field Crops and an “Other Class.”

• Department 7: Environmental EducationIncludes: Nature Trails, Geology, Field ID Studies, Fisheries/ Aquatic Resources,Water Monitoring, Fish/Fishing, Forestry, Shooting Sports, Outdoor Recreation, 5 different classes of Wildlife Study, Recycling, Composing, Recycled Crafts, and an “Other” Class.

• Department 8: Plant Pathology- Includes: Plant Disease ID Collections, Pest Control Exhibits, Mushroom ID and Collections, and an “Other” class.

• Department 9: Entomology- Includes: Insect Collections, Living Insects, and Honeybee/ Apiculture Exhibits.

• Department 10: Science, Engineering & Technology- Includes: Woodworking both Hand tool and Power tool-based projects, Electronics, Electric Projects, Rockets, Construction, 3-D Printing, Computer Sciences, Maker/Tinker Projects, Engineering Educational Displays/Projects, Geospatial Science, Renewable/Sustainable energy, climate change exhibits and Science Experiments.

As you can see, there truly is a class for everyone! If you know a youth who is interested in any of the above areas, encourage them to connect with Sullivan County 4-H and enter their projects into the Annual Sullivan County Youth Fair!

Still Exhibits must be entered

by August 1st and need to meet certain criteria to show at the fair. Contact Sullivan County 4-H Staff to learn more and check out the “Sullivan County Youth Fair Youth Building Exhibits Guidelines” on CCESC’s website to take a closer look at each class.

Hope to see you at the fair!

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HOME SAFETY be eliminated.Tape area rugs to the floor. Commercially available carpet tape will help ensure the rug stays down This month is national safety and lessens the opportunity to month, a good time to remind trip. Keep heating ducts free us that there are always from clutter. Space heaters steps we can take to improve should be at least 3 feet from our well-being and lessen anything in their vicinity and the chance of an accident never be left unattended. happening. This is particularly Seniors are particularly true as we age. According to vulnerable to burns due to the CDC, every 20 minutes skin changes and decreased an older adult dies as the sensation as we age. Set your result of a fall. As we age it hot water heater no higher is important to proactively than 120 degrees. Use heating take a fresh look at our pads with extreme caution, homes and habits, and make on lowest settings. Outfit your modifications to improve bathroom with grab bars safety. Environmental factors in the tub, and by the toilet. account for approximately Ensure all steps and stairways one-half of all falls at home. have solid railings. A home While seniors may resist safety assessment can identify making certain changes, the many risks and suggest importance of doing so cannot modifications to put in place be emphasized enough. The before accidents happen. steep stairs that we skipped Many free checklists are down at age 30 take on a available online. A room-bywhole new dimension and room home safety assessment risk at 65. can be found at: https://www.

First, let’s start with the basics. seniorsafetyreviews.com/.

Good lighting is essential, particularly in hallways and bathrooms. Install nightlights or motion sensor devices to lessen fall risk. Keep up on vision care with regular eye exams. Wear solid, nonskid footwear.Wearing only socks or going barefoot increases the likelihood of a slip and fall. Throw rugs are potential hazards and should Submitted by Patricia Avery, Caregiver Resource Center Program Coordinator

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Technology assists in many ways to keep us safe at and away from home. A Personal Emergency Response System is a tool that enables a person to summon help at home in the event of an emergency.

The Office for the Aging’s EISEP program may provide or help with the cost of a PERS. Call (845) 807-0241 for information. Smartwatches include GPS systems which can be invaluable if a senior becomes lost or wanders.

Google home or similar devices enable lights and TV to be turned on with a voice command. Use a portable or cellular phone for easy access, eliminating the dash to answer the phone and subsequent fall in the process.

Driving safely can present special challenges for seniors.

Changes in vision, slowed reaction time, reduced mobility, and cognitive difficulties all can result in unsafe driving. A friend tells the story of his family’s recognition it was time for Dad to stop driving. Dad had driven the wrong way on a one-way exit ramp and was met with many angry drivers.

He was oblivious to the fact he was in the wrong lane and commented that people were being very friendly and waving at him as he exited the mall. Mom explained that yes, they were waving,

but they were NOT friendly waves…Their sons hearing the story began the dreaded conversation regarding it being time to retire from driving. Recognizing when it’s time to turn over the keys or limit driving is very difficult for many. Family members may hesitate, and the impaired driver may resist. Both have the potential for tragic consequences.

To take the onus off family members, when driver safety is a concern there are facilities where individuals may go to have their driving ability evaluated. St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital in conjunction with

Burke Rehabilitation Center offers a Driver Evaluation program. For information please call (845) 458-4267 or visit www.MontefioreSLC.org.

The Caregiver Resource Center at Cornell Cooperative ExtensionSullivan has a wealth of information on the topics of home safety, fall prevention, and driving safety. Contact us at (845) 292-6180, ext. 122. Be safe and stay well!

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Sources: Felgar, Trisha. 2022 The Definitive Guide to Preventing Falls for Seniors. Retrieved on 5/5/2022 from National Safety Council. 2022.

Fall Safety. Take Steps to Remain Independent Longer. Retrieved on 5/5/2022 from Older Adult Falls - National Safety Council (nsc.org) National Safety Council. 2022. Driving Can Present Challenges for Older Adults. Retrieved on 5/5/2022 from Older Adult Drivers National Safety Council (nsc.org)

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AN EXCERPT FROM INSIDE INSIGHTS: THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SULLIVAN COUNTY MANAGER MAY 2022

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LOOKING FOR EFFICIENCY OPPORTUNITIES IN HOME DESIGN AND REMODELS Submitted by Sean Welsh, Resource Educator and Community Energy Advisor

Over the last two years there has been a lot of activity in the home improvement sector. In line with the uptick in work on homes, energy costs have also risen.

With the rise in costs, the opportunity that a home remodel offers to bring more energy efficiency into a building can lower bills over time.

Often the energy efficiency aspect of a home improvement project will not be the main impetus behind the work. Looking for the energy efficiency work that can be optimized will help the home occupants drive down utility and fuel costs.

Working with an energy efficiency contractor to ensure that a home improvement project can help the home become more comfortable, more affordable and provide a healthier indoor air environment will help home owners make the most of the project. To connect with a contractor or home energy auditor, reach out the Community Energy Advisor Sean Welsh at sw288@cornell. edu.

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Energy efficiency work also helps homes become ready for installing more energy efficiency, money saving, heating and cooling equipment such as heat pumps. Not all homes are heat pump ready, so looking for opportunities to make a home as insulated and air sealed as possible can be a right step in the direction of adding new heating and cooling equipment.

NYS electric utilities offer rebates and discounts on items like programmable thermostats and appliances in individual electric utility online stores, helping contribute to a home improvement project with more long term energy savings.

The United States Department of Energy Energy Saver | Department of Energy offers some resources for homeowners to look at when considering a home renovation.

Encouraging consumers to look at the “whole house systems approach” considering the different working systems of a home and how they can work best together.

While renters are not going to be able to tackle a large renovation to Extension Connection

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improve the efficiency of a rental, low cost and no cost energy efficiency strategies like door sweeps, adding no peel caulking, gaskets and weather stripping can help reduce drafts and save money. Renters can also reach out to Sean Welsh to see if they are eligible for NYS program opportunities for home energy audits, insulation and air sealing upgrades.

As a reminder any readers who have received the HEAP benefit for 2021 can connect with Sean to discuss funding for heat pumps or getting their homes heat pump ready. To connect with Sean Welsh, Resource educator and community energy advisor you can email him at sw288@ cornell.edu or give him a call at 845 292-6180 ext.

127. He can talk with you about any programs you may be eligible for and discuss how to access different programs.

Source: “Whole-house Systems Approach.” Energy.gov. Accessed May 10, 2022. https://www. energy.gov/energysaver/ whole-house-systems-approach.

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Notify CCE Sullivan if you have a change of address: 845-292-6180 sullivan@cornell.edu