June Extension Connection Magazine 2026

Extension Connection

USPS-525-100

Sullivan County

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

VOLUME XCVII

NO. 6

JUNE 2026

CCE Sullivan staff and board members celebrating 10 years of Creating Healthy Schools and Communities on May 20, 2026!

Upcoming U pcoming Events Events & Programs Programs Barn to Backyard: Animal Emergency Preparedness 6/3, 6/11, 6/26 West Point Band Series at the Hudson Valley Catskills Welcome Center 6/5, 6/12, 6/13 Raising Pigs on Small Acreage 6/6 Fairy Garden Workshop 6/16 Fire and Emergency Management Plans for Farms 7/8, 7/14 2026 Sullivan County Youth Fair 8/14, 8/15, 8/16 See more events and opportunities on sullivancce.org/events.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

Issue Isssue sue Highlights Higghhligghhts Celebrating 10 Years with CHSC From Farm to Table: What Goes Into Your Glass of Milk Farm to You: Dairy Nutrition Facts What’s That Smell? CT Dairy Farmers Hard at Work The Importance of Dairy Products for Older Adults CCE Spotlights: Congrats to Pat & Luis Ocasio for receiving the Liberty Rotary Club’s Hummingbird Award!

June is National Dairy Month! Check out pages 12 and 13 for a recipe for a neat dairy treat!

Welcome W elcome to to the the Issue!

Issue!

Page 3 Barn to Backyard: Animal Emergency Preparedness Page 4 From Farm to Table: What Goes Into Your Glass of Milk Page 5 Farm to You: Dairy Nutrition Facts Page 6 What’s That Smell?

CT Dairy Farmers Hard at Work Notify CCE Sullivan if you have a change of address: 845-292-6180 sullivan@cornell.edu

OFFICE HOURS 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

Table Table of of Contents Contents Page 8 Dairy Foods Help People Thrive Across the Lifespan Page 10 DHI Report Page 11 CCE Spotlights!

Page 12 Fast Facts!

Page 14 Make Every Bite and Sip Count with Nutrient-Rich Dairy Foods Page 16 CHSC Celebration Event Recognizes Daycare

Providers and Schools Page 20 Celebrating 10 Years with CHSC and the End of CHSC 2.0 with Partners Page 22 The Importance of Dairy Products for Older Adults Page 24 Introducing the Maker’s Market at Little World’s Fair

EXTENSION CONNECTION Produced by: Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County Edited by: Aaron Denman, Katie Gasior & Nicole Slevin Nikolados Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County 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

Colleen Monaghan..............................................................................Executive Director Tracy Broyles...............................................................................SALT Program Manager Alan Carroll...................................................................Food Systems Program Manager Luciana Carvo.................................................................STNY/4-H Program Coordinator Lynn Colavito..............................................Community Cupboard Program Coordinator Martin Colavito...........................................................Prevention Programs Issue Leader Dawn Parsons.......................President Wanda V. Cruz...............................................Healthy Communities Program Coordinator Alex Alorro...................Vice President Aaron Denman.........................................................Association Operations Coordinator Robert Kaplan.......................Secretary Drew Fuller........................................................................ Prevention Program Educator John Garigliano.....................Treasurer Katie Gasior........................................................................Horticulture Subject Educator Brian McPhillips...........Legislative Rep. Jenna Gangel...................................................................Shop Taste NY Market Manager Patricia Claiborne.............Cornell Rep. Joy Leon.................................................................Nutrition & Physical Activity Educator Stacey Johnson Isabel Lutz.......................................................................................................................Custodian John (JP) Lang Kim McDonnell............................................................................................TNY Market Manager Erika Malmgreen Nancy McGraw.................................Team Leader/Educator, Caregiver Resource Center Mark McLewin Melinda Meddaugh.......................................................Ag & Food Systems Issue Leader Jennifer Mitchell Tess Isabel Molina Bayly.............................FORx Youth Prevention Program Coordinator Meaghan Mullally-Gorr Laura Quigley Barbara Moran................................................4-H Youth Development Program Manager Gary Silver Luis Ocasio........................................................................Prevention Program Coordinator Gary Silverman Patricia Ocasio...................................................................Prevention Program Coordinator Diana Weiner Shanice Owens..............................................Community Cupboard Program Coordinator Abyssinia Pla El...................................................................................Finance Coordinator Monica Ponce-Agredano ...............................................................Ag. Program Assistant Michelle Proscia...........................................................Ag. Production Program Manager Nicole A. Slevin Nikolados.............................................Senior Administrator, Operations Heather Brown Tara VanHorn.........................................................................................Finance Manager Roberta Chambers Nu El Malinda Ware.................................................Statewide Strategic Engagement Specialist Courtney Hanback John Wilcox..........................................................................................Facilities Manager Carmela Hugel Veronica Yangis.........................................................................Taste NY Operations Coordinator Cathi Paci Hailee Crum, Kayla Evans, Julieth Melendez, Billy Wells........................Ag Market Coordinators

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PROGRAM COMMITTEE

Carol Roig Stephen Stuart Eugene Thalmann Deborah Worden

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Barn to Backyard: Animal Emergency Preparedness

May 28th, 6pm-7:30pm | Livestock and Pet Disaster Preparedness | Webinar via Zoom June 3rd , 6pm-8pm | Livestock First Aid | Brook Edge Farms (w/ Catskill Veterinary Services)

**This session is designed with first responders in mind, while remaining open and valuable to farmers.

June 11th, 6pm-7:30pm | Farm and Livestock Emergency Response | Webinar via Zoom June 26th, 6pm-7:30pm | Livestock Behavior & Handling Demonstration | Stone Wall Farms

**This session is designed with first responders in mind, while remaining open and valuable to farmers.

Be prepared when it matters most!

Learn emergency planning, animal first aid, livestock evacuation, and safe handling skills to help Farmers and First Responders protect animals, people, and farm operations.

Register at: www.sullivancce.org/BarnToBackyard

Questions?

Scan to

Contact Michelle Proscia at 845-292-6180 ext. 129 or email mml249@cornell.edu

learn more

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity ity educator, r provider, r and employer. employe

This material is based upo upon work supported by 2024-70027-42540 USDA/NIFA F under Award A ard Number Aw Num

Extension Connection June 2026

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FROM FARM TO TABLE: WHAT GOES INTO YOUR GLASS OF MILK Written by Michelle Proscia, Ag. Production Program Manager

Cooling, Storage, and Two Different Paths

Immediately after milking, raw milk Every June, National Dairy is cooled to 45°F or Month gives us a chance below and stored to appreciate one of in refrigerated bulk agriculture’s most essential tanks. This rapid products, milk. But have cooling is critical for you ever wondered what freshness and quality. From churn out cheese, yogurt, happens between the here, milk typically takes and small-batch ice cream time a cow is milked on one of two paths. made from their own the farm and the moment fresh cream, a true taste that cold glass reaches Most milk is picked up of the farm that makes your table? The journey is by licensed haulers for a perfect summer more complex, carefully and transported to a treat. In our state, farms managed, and qualityprocessing plant, where offering raw milk operate focused than most people it is pasteurized and under specific regulations realize, and in our area, homogenized before being covering herd testing, consumers have more than packaged for grocery sanitation, and labeling, one path to choose from. stores and retailers. ensuring that quality and Pasteurization uses a care remain a top priority It Starts with Animal controlled heating process across all these products.

Care to ensure a consistent, shelf-stable product that Quality at Every Step A healthy cow produces travels well across the quality milk. Dairy farmers supply chain.

Whether it travels through prioritize nutrition, a large processing comfortable housing, Other farms sell dairy facility or goes directly and routine veterinary products directly to from farm to your door, care to keep their herds consumers, offering healthy. Cows are typically something you simply can’t milk is one of the most carefully overseen food milked two to three times find on a grocery store products in the country. per day using modern shelf. Raw milk, prized Local dairy farmers take milking equipment that for its fresh farm-direct enormous pride in what is cleaned and sanitized taste, goes from the cow to they produce, and that between every use. From the customer without the dedication shows in every the moment milk leaves pasteurization step. Cream bottle, carton, and scoop of the cow, careful practices line milk, also called ice cream. are in place to maintain non-homogenized milk, its quality, whether it is another farm favorite, This Dairy Month, we is headed to a large with its rich layer of cream celebrate the hardworking processing plant or sold that naturally rises to the farm families who rise early, fresh and local right from top, just as milk used to care deeply, and pour their the farm. be enjoyed generations hearts into every drop. ago. Many local farms also Thank you.

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Dairy Nutrition Facts Nutrient

Demnition

B-12

A vitamin that helps the body perform essential functions like blood and energy production.

One 8-ounce glass of whole milk: 1.1 g

Calcium

A mineral necessary for the health of bones, teeth, and other body tissues.

It is the most common mineral in the body.

One 8-ounce glass of whole milk: 305mg

Magnesium

A mineral that supports bone health, muscle and nerve function, and blood sugar regulation.

One 8-ounce glass of whole milk: 27 mg

Phosphorous

An essential mineral vital for many bodily functions such as bone and teeth production, energy production, and cell structure.

One 8-ounce glass of whole milk: 205 mg

Potassium

A mineral essential for proper body function, including regulating blood pressure and muscle contraction.

One 8-ounce glass of whole milk: 336 mg

Protein

A macronutrient crucial for energy and growth in the human body.

One 8-ounce glass of whole milk: 8 g

Vitamin A

A nutrient needed in small amounts for functions like vision, bone growth, and immune system health.

One 8-ounce glass of whole milk: 78 mcg

Zinc

A mineral essential for supporting the immune system, wound healing, and growth development.

One 8-ounce glass of whole milk: 0.98 mg

Vitamin D

Plays an important role in helping the body absorb calcium to build strong bones and teeth. Helps maintain a healthy immune system.

One 8-ounce glass of whole milk: 100 IU

©2025 California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom

Extension Connection June 2026

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WHAT’S THAT SMELL? CT DAIRY FARMERS HARD AT WORK Written by Abigayle Ward – Soil Science Graduate Student, UConn Department of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture Submitted by Aaron Denman, Association Operations Coordinator

As temperatures warm up, perhaps you feel inclined to open windows to let some fresh air into your home or to feel the breeze on your morning commute. But then it hits you: The pungent aroma of freshly-spread manure. The few weeks that the smell persists serve as a reminder of the agricultural roots of Connecticut. Dairy farming began during the American colonial period in the 1600s, and milk remains one of the most important agricultural products in Connecticut.

Some dairy farms have been in continuous operation for over 10 generations.

Connecticut dairy cows enjoying some feed and the sunshine. Photo by Nora Doonan, UConn Soil Science Graduate Student.

in late fall. Manure is rich in nutrients, which helps grow the crops farmers use to keep happy cows throughout the year.

Manure is also an excellent source of organic matter, A single cow can produce around 100 pounds – about which enriches the soil 18 gallons – of manure per with carbon, provides nutrients to support day. Connecticut is home healthy soil microbiomes, to nearly 19,000 dairy cows, so you do the math – and gives our sandy Connecticut soils structure, that’s a lot of manure! which is essential for happy crops and high Typically, farmers spread manure on their crop fields yields. twice per year: Once in the early spring, and again Many Connecticut dairy after corn harvest, usually farmers are also on the Page 6

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June 2026

forefront of research and development. In Coventry, Hytone Farm uses a brandnew anaerobic digester to harness the power of microorganisms to break down thousands of gallons of manure and food waste every day. Biogasses, such as methane, are collected and can be used to generate electricity. The solids, called “digestates”, can be used as fertilizer, animal bedding, or even as building materials.

Freund’s Farm in East Canaan has been turning digestates into

compostable, nutrientrich CowPots, which can be buried directly in your garden and will biodegrade over time.

Running since 1997, Freund’s is home to one of the first anaerobic digesters in New England.

Collins Powder Hill Farm – home of the Collins Creamery – makes and sells compost from leaves and manure. All these practices help these local farms, and many others, increase carbon sequestration, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and yes, reduce the smell of manure.

of manure, applying a commercially produced manure compost is the safest route. While applying raw manure is safe for crops that will not be consumed by humans, composted manure is recommended for application in gardens where human food is being grown. The composting process heats up the manure to temperatures that kill pathogens, such as E. coli, which could make you sick. Furthermore, composted manure should be odorless – getting your garden many of the benefits without the smell!

For home gardeners who wish to harness the power

While the smell may be a mild inconvenience now,

Extension Connection June 2026

it is a sign that our dairy farmers are hard at work, continuing a tradition older than our country and serving our communities.

You can support our state’s dairy farmers by purchasing locallyproduced dairy products, adding some composted manure to your garden, and – of course – waving to the tractor drivers!

This article was published in the Hartford Courant Apr. 5 2025 Source:

Ward, Abigayle.“What’s That Smell? CT Dairy Farmers Hard at Work.” Home Garden Education Office, April 5, 2025. https://homegarden.cahnr. uconn.edu/2025/04/05/whats-that-smell/.

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Extension Connection June 2026

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DHI Report:

April 2026

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Extension Connection

June 2026

CCE Sullivan Spotlights

Staff Spotlight

CONGRATS PAT & LUIS OCASIO LIBERTY ROTARY CLUB’S HUMMINGBIRD AWARDEES On Saturday, May 9th, CCE Prevention team members Pat and Luis Ocasio were honored at the 10th Annual Liberty Rotary Club Recognition Luncheon with the Hummingbird Award.

The Hummingbird Award is based on the themes and morals from “The Story of the Hummingbird and the Forest Fire.” Rooted in indigenous Quechua folklore from the South American Andes, the tale centers on a hummingbird working to put out a forest fire despite bigger animals dissuading it. The Hummingbird Award is thus based on the idea that in order to better one’s community, we must all be hummingbirds alike to the protagonist in the story.

Among many others, Pat and Luis Ocasio were selected by the Liberty Rotary Club as recipients of this prestigious award for 2026.

Aside from being integral members of the CCE Prevention team, Pat and Luis are dedicated community leaders and volunteers with experience in providing prevention education, addressing food insecurity, and encouraging youth advocacy.

We are happy to congratulate Pat and Luis for being recognized by the Liberty Rotary Club for their tireless work in the community. CCE Sullivan and SALT’s Prevention efforts would not be the same without them.

Extension Connection June 2026

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

y Month! ir a D l a n o ti a N June is e for a neat ip c e r a t u o k c e Ch dairy treat!

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Extension E t Connection C t

June 2026

Extension E t Connection C t June 2026

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June 2026 CHSC celebration event recognizes daycare providers and school districts CCE Sullivan celebrated 10 years of Creating Healthy Schools and Communities on Wednesday, May 20th.

Many of the awardees attended and ŘôèôĖŽôîϙťēôĖŘϙÍſÍŘîϙèôŘťĖƱèÍťôŜϙÍIJîϙČĖÍIJťϙ checks representing the recent funding awards they received for their work during the past term of the CHSC grant.

The projects of eleven (11) daycare providers throughout Sullivan County ranged from making fruit smoothies a regular breakfast option, building small gardens and engaging children in planting and harvesting vegetables, purchasing small child-sized garden tools, and installing indoor and outdoor climbing toys to keep children active all year long.

Above: Childcare Council receiving their èôŘťĖƱèÍťôϟĺċϟÍŕŕŘôèĖÍťĖĺIJ. They have been an integral ŕÍŘťIJôŘϟſĖťē CCE’s CHSC team in ſĺŘħĖIJČϟſĖťē ÍŘôÍϟîÍƅèÍŘôϟŕŘĺŽĖîôŘŜ ťēŘĺŪČēĺŪťϟťēôϟťôIJϟƅôÍŘŜϟĺċϟťēôϟ F ϟČŘÍIJťϟ ÍIJîϟÍŜϟÍϟ F ϟŜŪæèĺIJťŘÍèťĺŘϟſĖťēϟ (ϟċĺŘϟ ťēôϟŕÍŜťϟťſĺϟƅôÍŘŜ. >ŘĺıϟīôċťϟťĺϟŘĖČēťϦϟbÍIJèƅϟ aè@ŘÍſϦϟteam leader/educatorϦϟ"ĺIJIJÍϟ®ĖīīĖϦϟ executive dĖŘôèťĺŘϟÍIJîϟ Ėıôôϟ ĖťťÍīŪČÍϦϟ CACFP cĺĺŘîĖIJÍťĺŘϟċŘĺıϟťēôϟ ŪīīĖŽÍIJϟ ĺŪIJťƅϟ Child Care Council.

Sustainability Awards in Early Childhood Education Settings

The daycare providers have worked diligently to incorporate daily practices to implement their wellness policies, which have all been updated and reviewed within the past year. By receiving $1,000 each in April for their sustainability plans, daycare providers have been able to purchase items to improve physical activity and nutrition in their daycare homes and centers. Toys purchased were all centered on helping young children æôīĺſϙťēôϙÍČôϙĺċϙƱŽôϙϼ͔ϽϙƅôÍŘŜϙĖIJϙťēôĖŘϙèÍŘôϙ to develop gross motor skills, which are critical to healthy development and learning.

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Above: Elizabeth Corchado (right) ĺċϟ ŘôôēĺŪŜôϟ "ÍƅèÍŘôϟĖIJϟ@īôIJϟ ŕôƅϦϟÍèèôŕťĖIJČϟÍϟя͖Ϧ͕​͕​͕ϟ ŜŪŜťÍĖIJÍæĖīĖťƅϟÍſÍŘîϟÍIJîϟèôŘťĖƱèÍťôϟĺċϟ ÍèēĖôŽôıôIJťϟĖIJϟĖıŕŘĺŽĖIJČϟŕēƅŜĖèÍīϟÍèťĖŽĖťƅϟÍIJîϟ IJŪťŘĖťĖĺIJϟċĺŘϟèēĖīîŘôIJϟĖIJϟēôŘϟîÍƅèÍŘôϥ June 2026

Sustainability Awards in School Districts

Above: ϟя͖Ϧ͕​͕​͕ϟŜŪŜťÍĖIJÍæĖīĖťƅϟÍſÍŘîϟÍIJîϟ èôŘťĖƱèÍťôϟĺċϟÍèēĖôŽôıôIJťϟĖŜϟŕŘôŜôIJťôîϟťĺϟ VôŜŜĖèÍϟ"ôÍIJϦϟaϥϟ(îϥϦϟĺċϟVôŜŜĖèÍГŜϟ"ÍƅèÍŘôϦϟ Liberty.

All seven (7) school districts and Sullivan i ( ϙŘôèôĖŽôîϙщ͑Ϡ͔͏​͏ϙŜŪŜťÍĖIJÍæĖīĖťƅϙ awards each for building on or expanding their wellness programs. Some schools used the funds to enhance their physical activity options and purchased gym exercise equipment, sumo wrestling suits and jousting equipment, while others Above: RôŕŘôŜôIJťĖIJČϟaĺIJťĖèôīīĺϟ ôIJťŘÍīϟ èēĺĺīϟ purchased blenderя͗Ϧ͚͕​͕ϟŜŪŜťÍĖIJÍæĖīĖťƅϟÍſÍŘîϟ bikes, giant blow up "ĖŜťŘĖèťϟĖIJϟÍèèôŕťĖIJČϟa hamster balls, climbing rock and ÍIJîϟèôŘťĖƱèÍťôϟĺċϟachievement arewalls, ЂīôċťЃϟMiranda sensory equipment for the classroom Cathy aŪŘŕēƅϦϟ a "ϟ īŪIJèēϟıÍIJÍČôŘϦϟÍIJîϟ(middle) such as stationary bike desks, as well as aè>ÍîîôIJϦϟŜèēĺĺīϟſôīīIJôŜŜϟèĺĺŘîĖIJÍťĺŘϥ nutrition labeling signs for the cafeterias.

Above and below: Jousting equipment and Sumo wrestling suits purchased with CHSC funds by Monticello CSD. Above: bÍIJèƅϟaè@ŘÍſϟЂ2nd ċŘĺıϟīôċťЃϟ ŕŘôŜôIJťŜϟÍϟŜŪŜťÍĖIJÍæĖīĖťƅϟèēôèħϟċĺŘϟя͖Ϧ͕​͕​͕ϟÍIJîϟ èôŘťĖƱèÍťôϟĺċϟÍèēĖôŽôıôIJťϟťĺϟ ťϥϟVĺēIJГŜϟ ĺııŪIJĖťƅϟ èēĺĺīϦϟſēĖèēϟŜôŘŽôŜϟŕŘôŜèēĺĺīϟ children ages 3-͚ϟƅôÍŘŜϥϟϟ èèôŕťĖIJČϟťēôϟÍſÍŘîϟ are VôŜŜĖèÍϟ īÍŘħϦϟťôÍèēôŘϟЂīôċťЃϦϟChristine aĖŘÍČīĖÍϦϟŕŘĖIJèĖŕÍī (2nd ċŘĺıϟŘĖČēťЃϦϟand Christine Olsen-@ŘÍƅϦϟadmin. assistant (right).

Right: Stationary bĖħôϟdôŜħŜϟÍIJîϟ ſĖČČīôϟŜôÍťŜϟŕŪŘèēÍŜôîϟæƅϟ ĺèħīÍIJîϟ Elementary and Eldred Elementary ēôīŕϟŜťŪîôIJťŜϟċĺèŪŜϟſēĖīôϟŪŜĖIJČϟŪŕϟ their excess energy.

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Below: îÍıϟ ĖôēīϦϟexecutive ŕŘĖIJèĖŕÍīϦϟ îıĖIJĖŜťŘÍťĖĺIJϦϟ ullivan BOCESϦϟÍèèôŕťĖIJČϟÍϟя͗Ϧ͚͕​͕ϟ ŜŪŜťÍĖIJÍæĖīĖťƅϟÍſÍŘîϟÍIJîϟèôŘťĖƱèÍťôϟĺċϟÍèēĖôŽôıôIJťϥϟ

Above: èèôŕťĖIJČϟÍϟя2Ϧ͚͕​͕ϟŜŪŜťÍĖIJÍæĖīĖťƅϟÍſÍŘîϟ ÍIJîϟèôŘťĖƱèÍťôϟĺċϟÍèēĖôŽôıôIJťϟĺIJϟæôēÍīċϟĺċϟťēôϟ ŪīīĖŽÍIJϟ®ôŜťϟ ôIJťŘÍīϟ èēĺĺīϟ"ĖŜťŘĖèťϦϟis "ÍŘÍϟ ®ĖīīĖÍıŜϦϟŜèēĺĺīϟīŪIJch manager and ċood service director (right). ôīĺſ: AèèôŕťĖIJČϟÍϟя͗Ϧ͚͕​͕ϟŜŪŜťÍĖIJÍæĖīĖťƅϟÍſÍŘîϟÍIJîϟ èôŘťĖƱèÍťôϟĺċϟÍèēĖôŽôıôIJťϟċĺŘϟ ĺèħīÍIJîϟ ôIJťŘÍīϟ èēĺĺīϟ"ĖŜťŘĖèťϟЂīôċťϟťĺϟŘĖČēťЃϟare Jan LeMyreϦ Rebecca èħôŘīƅϦϟÍIJîϟ Íīīôƅϟ(ŘīſôĖIJ.

ôīĺſ: AèèôŕťĖIJČϟÍϟя͗Ϧ͚͕​͕ϟŜŪŜťÍĖIJÍæĖīĖťƅϟÍſÍŘîϟÍIJîϟ èôŘťĖƱèÍťôϟĺċϟÍèēĖôŽôıôIJťϟċĺŘϟ(īîŘôîϟ ôIJťŘÍīϟ èēĺĺīϟ "ĖŜťŘĖèťϦϟXôīīƅϟ ŘÍťèŜēīôŘϦϟ ĺĺŘîĖIJÍťĺŘϟĺċϟFôÍīťēϟгϟ Physical Education ЂīôċťЃ.

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[ĖæôŘťƅϟ ôIJťŘÍīϟ èēĺĺīϟ"ĖŜťŘĖèťϟsŪŕôŘĖIJťôIJîôIJťϟ"Řϥϟ ÍťŘĖèħϟ ŪīīĖŽÍIJ (above)ϦϟÍIJî Fallsburg Central School "istrict sŪŕôŘĖIJťôIJîôIJťϦϟ"ŘϥϟIŽÍIJϟXÍťƏ ЂæôīĺſЃ ÍťťôIJîôîϟťĺϟÍèèôŕťϟÍϟя͗Ϧ͚͕​͕ϟŜŪŜťÍĖIJÍæĖīĖťƅϟ ÍſÍŘîϟÍIJîϟèôŘťĖƱèÍťôϟĺċϟÍèēĖôŽôıôIJťϟċĺŘϟťēôĖŘϟŜťÍƯϟ ÍIJîϟÍîıĖIJĖŜťŘÍťĖĺIJГŜϟôƯĺŘťŜϟĺIJϟĖıŕīôıôIJťÍťĖĺIJϟĺċϟ ſôīīIJôŜŜϟŕĺīĖèĖôŜϟċĺèŪŜôîϟĺIJϟŕēƅŜĖèÍīϟÍèťĖŽĖťƅϟÍIJîϟ nutrition in the schools.

Extension Connection

June 2026

Pictures from the Awards Celebration

ĺīīôôIJϟaĺIJÍČēÍIJϦϟexecutive dĖŘôèťĺŘϦϟ (ϟ ŪīīĖŽÍIJ ЂæôīĺſЃϟſôīèĺıôîϟÍťťôIJîôôŜϟſĖťēϟĺŕôIJĖIJČϟŘôıÍŘħŜϟ and a bit about the ten-ƅôÍŘϟĤĺŪŘIJôƅϟĺċϟťēôϟ ŘôÍťĖIJČϟFôÍīťēƅϟ èēĺĺīŜϟÍIJîϟ ĺııŪIJĖťĖôŜϟČŘÍIJťϟĖIJϟ èĺīīÍæĺŘÍťĖĺIJϟſĖťēϟĺŪŘϟèĺııŪIJĖťƅϟŕÍŘťIJôŘŜϧϟıŪIJĖèĖŕÍīĖťĖôŜϦϟŜèēĺĺīŜϦϟÍIJîϟîÍƅèÍŘôϟŕŘĺŽĖîôŘŜϟÍŜϟſôīīϟÍŜϟťēôϟ ŪīīĖŽÍIJϟ ĺŪIJťƅϟ ēĖīîèÍŘôϟ ĺŪIJèĖīϟÍIJîϟ ŪīīĖŽÍIJϟ͖͕͝ϥ

[ôċťϧϟ (ϟ ŪīīĖŽÍIJϟŜťÍƯϟÍIJîϟŜôŽôŘÍīϟCCE Sullivan board ıôıæôŘŜϟŕĖèťŪŘôîϟÍťϟťēôϟ F ϟ(ŽôIJťϟĺIJϟaÍƅϟ͕͗Ϧϟ͕͗͗͛ϥ

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Celebrating 10 Years with CHSC and the End of CHSC 2.0 with Partners Written by Wanda Vionet Cruz, Healthy Communities Program Coordinator

With so many great things going on with our Creating Healthy Schools and Communities (CHSC) initiatives in Sullivan County during the month of May, the most difficult thing at this moment is choosing a topic for you to read. Therefore, I thought I would start with a project that in 2016 started with several “What if we… would that be possible?” This also reminds me of a quote that says

“Yourr ability y too sett goalss and d too makee planss forr theirr accomplishmentt iss thee maskerr skilll off success.”” Brian n Tracy y

If you were waiting for signage in the trail that informed you where you’re at, where you’re going, and what terrain to expect while on the trail, you will be happy ppy py to o know o that ow t at they t ey are a e mostly all completed.

“Every y accomplishmentt startss withh thee decision n too try.”” John n F.. Kennedy y A dense wooded area was located behind the Mamakating Town Park with lots of trees and several unmarked paths. Great for an adventure but not so much if you were alone and couldn’t find fi nd yyour ourr wa ou wayy out. outt. ou

\

Where once there was nothing but woods, now are 3 main access point areas. This one is the first access point.

This trail was named the Mamakating Fitness Trail because its first access point provided 9 to 10 outdoor pieces of fitness equipment and was well used during COVID -19 when all gyms were closed.

After so many years of walking the trail, I finally felt safe and confident enough to walk the trail by myself without feeling afraid of getting lost. Guess what? I made it in and out without problems. To me, that means that the signs are doing what they are expected to do if you make sure to follow the map and signs along the way. That includes trail markers.

3rd and most recent access point near the pickleball courts and parking lot.

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Extension Connection

June 2026

“Wee would d accomplishh many y moree thingss iff wee did d nott think k off them m ass impossible”” Vincee Lombardii On Wednesday, May 20th, 2026, at the Extension Educator Center in Liberty, over 50 people gathered to celebrate many sustainable accomplishments made through schools and communities.

Sustainable forms that were completed by municipalities to demonstrate their accomplishments and projects either completed or in progress were reviewed by a committee.

Above: Community partners representing schools and communities participated in scoring as judges for this committee. Another item to be taken into consideration for sustainability awards was the availability and a guarantee to get projects implemented on or before May 29th, 2026.

Awardees included but were not limited to the Town of Fallsburg, Village of Liberty, and Town of Mamakating.

CHSC 2.0 ending in May, its second 5-year cycle of grant funding: We

Parks, and Vision Zero with projects related to such policies.

Above: The Town of Fallsburg was awarded a check for $48,890.00. The Town of Fallsburg adopted a comprehensive plan that included Safe Routes to School and a resolution. Other adopted policies included: Safe Routes to School, Worksite Wellness, Food Service Guidelines, Active Friendly Routes to Everyday Destinations, and Vison Zero.

Above: The Village of Liberty with the Chief of Police and the Village of Liberty Police Department assisted with policies, implementation, and community involvement including a youth committee for Safe Routes to School. Their award was $10,000.00.

thought this is the best time to invite partners and celebrate CHSC 10 years and accomplishments made by schools and communities which have proven to be sustainable. su ust stai aina nabl ble. e.

Our community partners share our successes.

Community accomplishments included drafting and adopting policies that included projects related to Complete Streets, Active Friendly Routes to Everyday Destinations, Food Service Guidelines, Safe Routes to School, Safe Routes to

Above: The Town of Mamakating also received a $10,000.00 award for their projects related to Active Friendly Routes to Everyday Destinations. The variety of trails in Mamakating are like no other, allowing them to use such trails to connect to a variety of other locations.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF DAIRY PRODUCTS FOR OLDER ADULTS Written and submitted by Nancy McGraw, Team Leader & Caregiver Resource Center Educator

Dairy products are especially important for older adults because they help maintain strong bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. As people age, bone density naturally declines, making adequate calcium and vitamin D intake critical.

Dairy foods such as milk, yogurt, and cheese are rich in these nutrients, and research shows that higher calcium intake— often from dairy—can slow bone loss and reduce fracture risk.

In addition, systematic reviews find that dairy consumption has a beneficial effect on bone health in older adults, further supporting its inclusion in daily diets.

(Heaney, R. P., 2000, Hanach, N. I., McCullough, F., & Avery, A., 2019, and Wallace, T. C., et al., 2021).

Dairy foods provide high-quality protein that supports muscle maintenance, and studies show that dairy protein intake can increase muscle mass in older adults. Adequate protein intake—especially from nutrient-dense sources like dairy—can help counteract muscle decline and improve physical function. (Hanach, N. I., McCullough, F., & Avery, A., 2019, and Lötters, F. J. B., et al., 2012).

In addition to supporting bones and muscles, dairy products help older adults meet their overall nutritional needs.

Seniors often experience reduced appetite or difficulty preparing meals, making nutrientdense foods especially valuable. Dairy provides multiple essential nutrients, including protein, calcium, potassium, vitamin B12, and magnesium, which contribute to heart health, nerve function, and disease prevention.

National dietary guidance emphasizes dairy as part of a balanced eating pattern for older adults because of its role in reducing risks of chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and frailty (National Institute on Aging).

Dairy products also play a key role in preserving muscle mass and strength, which is essential for mobility and independence in seniors.

Aging is associated with sarcopenia, a progressive Fermented dairy loss of muscle mass and function that increases the products, particularly risk of falls and disability. yogurt, offer additional Page 22

Extension Connection

June 2026

health benefits by supporting gut and immune health. Yogurt contains probiotics that help maintain healthy gut bacteria and may enhance immune function.

Clinical research shows that probiotic yogurt can reduce the incidence of respiratory infections in older adults. Broader evidence also suggests that probiotics may help counteract age-related changes in gut health, contributing to overall well-being. (Hanach, N. I., McCullough, F., & Avery, A., 2019, and Hutchinson, A. N., et al., 2021).

Sources:

Hanach, N. I., McCullough, F., & Avery,A. (2019).The impact of dairy protein intake on muscle mass, strength, and performance in older adults. [pmc.ncbi. nlm.nih.gov] Heaney, R. P. (2000). Calcium, dairy products, and osteoporosis. [tier-im-fokus.ch] Hutchinson,A. N., et al. (2021).The effect of probiotics on health outcomes in the elderly. [mdpi.com] Lötters, F. J. B., et al. (2012). Dairy foods and osteoporosis. [pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov] National Institute on Aging (NIH). Healthy eating and nutrition for older adults. [nia.nih.gov] Phillips, S. M., & Martinson,W. (2019). Nutrient-rich dairy foods and sarcopenia prevention. [academic.oup.com] Pu, F., et al. (2017). Probiotic yogurt and respiratory infections in older adults. [pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov] U.S.Administration for Community Living / Dietary Guidelines. Dairy requirements in senior nutrition programs. [acl.gov] Wallace,T. C., et al. (2021). Dairy intake and bone health across the lifespan: A systematic review. [tandfonline. com]

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