March 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. 3

MARCH 2022

Sullivan County 4-H Kenoza Lake Hummingbirds club thanks Sullivan West Central School custodians.

Upcoming U pcoming Events Events & Programs Programs

Issue Isssue sue Highlights Higghhligghhts

AARP Free Tax Preparation

Remembering Joan Howard

Virtual Caregiver Support Groups

Defend the Flock: Avian Influenza

On-Farm Composting Webinar 4-H: A Year in Textiles Challenge

Maple Syrup Production Soil & Water Annual Tree & Shrub Program 9 Winter Energy Saving Tips

Free Farm Stands & Mass Distribution

Eating Right for a Healthy Weight

4-H Horseback Riding Program

A ‘Note’ about Music: A Tool for Caregivers

4-H Crafty Clover Kids

Impact in 2022: 4-H Community Service

E-Commerce for Farmers

CCE Spotlights: Erin Denman

See more events and opportunities on sullivancce.org/events.

Check out page 12 for fast facts and our Harvest & Farm of the Month!

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

Welcome W elcome to to the the Issue!

Issue!

Page 3 Message from the Executive Director Page 4 Remembering Joan Howard Page 7 Defend the Flock: Avian Influenza Detected in Our Region Page 10 Maple Syrup Production Page 11 Ag ICYMI

Table Table of of Contents Contents Page 12 Fast Facts & More!

Page 13 Harvest & Farm of the Month Page 14 DHI Report: December & January Page 15 CCE Spotlights Page 16 Tree and Shrub Sale Order Form Page 18 Eating Right for a Healthy Weight

Page 19 Nine Winter Energy Saving Tips Page 20 Sullivan Fresh Community Cupboard Stories from the Road Page 21 Music: A Powerful Tool for Caregivers Page 22 Impact in 2022: 4-H Community Service Page 22 Thanks, Sponsors!

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/ccesullivan Instagram.com/ccesullivan YouTube: bitly.com/ccesullivan

Produced by: Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County Edited by: Nicole Slevin Nikolados & 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. Michael Bel 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 Brenda Miller..................................Environment & Natural Resources 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 Program Coordinator Tara VanHorn........................................................................................Finance Manager Malinda Ware........................................................................................Program Director Sean Welsh.............................................................................Energy Resource Educator John Wilcox..........................................................................................Facilities Manager Judy Arpadi, Cherene Audain, Jamie Behrns, Christopher Jones..........Ag Market Coordinators

Extension Connection

March 2022

Dear members, I learned early in the year that one of my mentors and dear friend of Extension, Joan Howard, passed away after an illness. Joan was a community development professional in Sullivan County for years before her retirement and an ongoing active member of the Sullivan County community right up until she fell ill.

I met Joan in a previous life, before my time at CCE Sullivan, at an informal lunch of professional women in the Orange and Sullivan region. I actually remember meeting her and thinking what a strong, strange, opinionated woman she was! Little did I know that she would be the board president and chair of the committee that hired me at CCE Sullivan several years later!

After a grueling two session 12 hour interview process, Joan coaxed me into accepting my first executive position here at CCE Sullivan. She assured me that she would coach and support me and that our new relationship with be mutually beneficial. In reflecting, I like to think that she was right.

Joan spent hours and hours on the phone and in person with me, listening, sharing stories, griping, and laughing. I learned pretty early on that setting a one hour calendar appointment was never even close to enough. We spent half days together every time we connected. She bought my son and I Christmas presents every year. She introduced me to all the folks in Sullivan County who have been a part of Extension for decades, new friends that continue to provide feedback and support on my work and CCE’s role in staying relevant and useful in the community, and to folks who were important in her life, like Sally and Wade. She also introduced me to pickled scapes, and my life hasn’t been the same! How lucky I have been these last 8 years under her tutelage!

Joan was assertive, smart (a smarty pants in fact!), and funny. Sometimes she had a rough way about her, but I firmly believe it’s because she cared so much. She cared about her family (she bragged about them incessantly!), her friends (the stories we could tell!), her colleagues (whom she had the utmost respect for), her neighborhood, and her county, all of which she adored in their entirety. She was so invested in other people’s success and happiness, sometimes she got frustrated, and that came through in a sense of urgency that some people didn’t always understand.

Ultimately, Joan had a solid foundation of democratic values, and she just didn’t give up pushing for what she believed in, and what she thought was the right thing.

Extension Connection

March 2022

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I miss Joan. Our talks and our lunches. The blabbering over her dog Babe, all of her cow collectibles, and her stories about being on the farm and in the garden. This note is for her, along with reflections in this month’s Extension Connection magazine from others who will miss her as much as I do. If you knew Joan, I hope these notes bring you some comfort. And for everyone, please remember to tell the folks who are important to you that you love them, maybe over a pint of local beer or a glass of milk. That’s how Joan would like it.

My very best,

Colleen Monaghan Executive Director, cm638@cornell.edu

Remembering Joan Howard...

“Joan hired me to work in what was then the Employment and Training office. She was a tough boss who challenged you to always be better. She became my most trusted mentor and my friend. Her passion and drive to make the world a better place for those who struggle inspires me still. Rest easy, my friend.”

-Laura Quigley “She was an extroverted individual who had no problems with helping and providing knowledge regardless of county. Funny, outspoken, but friendly. Fun to be with socially.”

- Wanda Cruz, CCE Staff “It was Joan’s clear, direct way of talking that I remember most. And her ability to dig into the job at hand and focus on the task. She worked to promote agriculture in Sullivan County and advocated for small farmers. A passionate woman, who also had a great sense of humor.” -Sonja Hedlund

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Extension Connection

March 2022

“Joan, a fiesty Redhead, that worked to engage and interest others in Extension. Joan was, as she might have said, “a good egg”. I’m sorry to learn of her passing, she was a pretty private person and will be missed by many! Her humor was great and she used it to keep others engaged while keeping Extension in the forefront.

Members and non-members of Extension will miss Joan. I’m grateful to have known Joan.” -Kitty Vetter “All of Joan’s outfits were perfectly matching with accessories- most of them purple or Cornell red. I have cherished memories of our fund development work together, especially our 100 Anniversary Gala. Bumping into one another at the grocery store was where the real brainstorming happened. I remember when she had her own desk at the office because she was so active during our Centennial Campaign. She was a force to be reckoned with. Cheers to Joan. -Nicole Slevin, CCE Staff “I have fond memories of bringing my boys to Joan’s pick-your-own pumpkin patch on Aden Rd. My youngest’s name is Aden so we used to say she grew them just for him. We took a million pictures and her little dog was sure to photobomb the pictures. But more than anything, I just remember feeling supported by Joan at all times. When I first started working for CCE Sullivan she took me to have lunch with Carol Chichester from the Orange County Youth Bureau. I felt like I was having lunch with two of the strongest, most knowledgeable and giving women on earth. Joan continued to introduce me to all the key partners and stakeholders I needed to know to get started in my work in Family & Youth Development and when I had my own family struggles she didn’t judge but rather continued to be supportive and connect me to the help I needed at that time. I’ll never forget Joan and aspire to be like her every day.” - Amanda Langseder Extension Connection

March 2022

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“Joan was a friend and professional colleague. She’s one of the most knowledgeable women I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. Joan was sincere, funny, and quite talkative! From politics to pumpkins, Joan did her homework before commenting. Sullivan County owes much to her for the dedication and leadership given in everything she chose to work on. She will be missed.” -Carol Chichester, former Executive Director, Orange County Youth Bureau “Joan was tenacious, hardworking, and passionate about the mission of Cornell Cooperative Extension.

She was a visionary, often looking beyond the daily challenges and seeing the bigger picture; she was an optimist, although at times it didn’t seem like it. She was real, spoke the truth, called people out when it wasn’t the easy route.

Joan cared about the entire community, she carried within her a responsibility for the greater good. Helping to make this world a better place. She had tangible ideals – was practical and wanted to see action not change on paper. She strived to have CCE vibrantly impact all residents of Sullivan County today, not someday down the road.

Joan had the confidence that when somebody said ‘no’, she would ask ‘why?’ and say ‘what do you mean no?, you can’t say no’. She would question things she felt strongly about, yet was understanding. You always felt like she had your back. She was ‘old-school’.

Joan had a great sense of humor - it was comforting to be in her presence. Joan was one of those rare people in life that once you get to know them you will never forget them.

On behalf of the CCE family, we thank her for her many years of service, dedication, and passion.

She will be dearly missed by all of us.” -Greg Sandor & Family

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Extension Connection

March 2022

DEFEND THE FLOCK: HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA DETECTED IN OUR REGION Submitted by Michelle Proscia, Ag Educator

Two laboratoryconfirmed cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, one in a pheasant flock in Dutchess County and one in a backyard flock in Ulster County, were identified in NYS on Friday, February 25th.

These follow the case identified in a backyard flock in Suffolk County on February 19th.

These flocks have been euthanized to help control the spread of the virus.

While these are only three cases, it is anticipated that there will be many more. The states with wild bird positives (297 cases) now include Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, and Alabama.

Cases will increase across the northeast as wild waterfowl migrate northward in the coming months. Commercial flocks in Delaware, Indiana, and Kentucky have been affected, as have backyard flocks in Virginia, Maine, New York, and Michigan. We are asking our poultry producers to keep eye out for suddenly high

mortality and to be prepared to report any suspicious whole flock illness.

of the virus, but it can easily mutate to a highly pathogenic strain, as we’ve seen this year.

What is Avian Influenza (AI)?

Avian Influenza is a highly contagious poultry virus that has the potential to cause large financial losses to the U.S. poultry industry.

A highly pathogenic strain (HPAI), H5N1, last hit the U.S. in 2014-2015 and was considered the nation’s largest animal health emergency. Over 200 cases of the disease were found in commercial flocks, backyard flocks, and wild birds. More than 50 million birds were affected and subsequently died or were euthanized on more than 200 farms in 15 states.

If it’s been mainly identified in wild birds, and it’s not yet in NYS, why should I be concerned?

Wild birds follow one of four migratory routes.

NYS is located in the Atlantic Flyway, which includes the states with current HPAI findings.

It is anticipated that as birds migrate north in the spring, we’ll continue to see the cases in wild birds move with them.

There is an increased potential for the virus to establish in poultry flocks along this route.

Where does it come from?

Waterfowl, both wild and domestic, act as carriers.

Since the outbreak of 2014-2015, scientists have been monitoring wild bird populations, and waterfowl hunters send their harvested birds in for testing. Wild waterfowl regularly carry low-pathogenic strains Extension Connection

March 2022

How does it spread?

HPAI lives in the respiratory and/or intestinal tract of birds.

It can be picked up from contact with infected feces, surfaces, or through the air, though aerial transmission from farm to farm is unlikely.

It can be transported on infected feed, clothing, or equipment. Once on the farm, the disease is readily passed from bird to bird, infecting an entire flock quickly.

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Which flocks are affected?

Flocks of any size, from backyard to commercial, and any species can be affected.

Common symptoms: Any birds can be affected, but birds other than waterfowl react most strongly to the virus. Poultry infected with HPAI may show one or more of the following symptoms: • Sudden death without clinical signs • Decreased egg production or soft-shelled or misshapen eggs • Swelling of head, comb, eyelid, wattles, and hocks • Purple discoloration of wattles, comb, and legs • Nasal discharge, coughing, and sneezing • Discoordination • Diarrhea

A high level of mortality without any clinical signs is known to be a hallmark of the virus. In some cases, expect 100% of the flock to die within a few days. Regardless of how the disease presents, a large portion of the birds in a flock will be affected. Waterfowl may carry the virus but not show symptoms.

What do I do if I think I have HPAI in my flock?

Report it! If your birds are sick or dying, it’s Page 8

important to report it immediately so that we can stop the spread to any other flocks. You can call: • Your

local veterinarian or flock veterinarian • The State veterinarian serving your county: Dr. Chad Wall 607-643-3540, chad. wall@agriculture.ny.gov • The State Animal Health Diagnostic Center, at (607) 253-3900 or poultryhealth@ cornell.edu • The USDA toll-free at 1-866-536-7593

What can I do to manage it?

Because there is not a vaccine currently available in the U.S. for this disease, keeping it out through biosecurity is going to be the best course of action.

The easy-to-follow biosecurity principles below can go a long way to keeping your birds safe from disease: • Establishing an “all-in, allout” flock-management policy • Protecting against exposure to wild birds or water or ground contaminated by wild birds • Closing bird areas to nonessential personnel or vehicles • Providing employees with clean clothing and disinfection facilities and directions for their use • Thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting equipment and vehicles (including tires and undercarriage) when entering or leaving the farm Extension Connection

March 2022

• Banning the borrowing or lending of equipment or vehicles • Banning visits to other poultry farms, exhibitions, fairs, and sales or swap meets (if visits must occur, direct workers to change footwear and clothing on their return) • Banning bringing birds in slaughter channels back to the farm

Source: Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Accessed February 22, 2022. https://cals.cornell.edu/ news/2022/02/poultry-producersbe-lookout-highly-pathogenic-avianinfluenza

Let’s Keep Our Poultry Healthy Together

Report Sick Birds: 1-866-536-7593 #DefendTheFlock www.aphis.usda.gov/animalhealth/defendtheflock

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Extension Connection

Program Aid No. 2239 Issued May 2019 USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

March 2022

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MAPLE SYRUP PRODUCTION bag, or plastic tubing.

You need a larger foodgrade container for sap New York is the secondstorage, a pan with high largest maple syrup sides for boiling, a candy producer in the country. thermometer, filter, and It’s a great way for farms containers to store the to diversify and earn syrup in. The sap will some additional income. flow when the daytime It’s also a fun activity to temperatures are do on a smaller scale if above freezing and the you have a few maple nighttime temperatures trees in your backyard. drop down to below freezing.

Maple Syrup can be made from any of our Determine how many local maple species. taps you can have in a Sugar maples are by far tree by its diameter at the best maples to use. breast height, which is Black maples can also be about 4.5 feet about the used effectively. Other ground. Between 10-17 maple species have a inches, you can have lower sugar content. one tap, between 18Sugar maples have an 24 inches, you can have average of about 2% two taps in a tree. A tree sugar content. At that above 25 inches you can percentage, it takes 43 have 3 taps. Holes should gallons of sap to make be drilled between 1.5 one gallon of syrup. and 2.5 inches deep and be angled slightly Equipment for making maple syrup is a cordless upward, so the sap runs drill with a 7/16 inch drill out towards your spout.

Spouts should be pressed bit, for the traditional or lightly hammered into sized spout or 5/16 if the tree. Sap should be you plan to use the new processed as soon as smaller sized spouts. possible after collection.

You also need spouts to Sap can be boiled down put into the holes you drill. These can be either in a wide variety of ways.

More serious operations metal or plastic. Be sure use large evaporators, to purchase the correct but backyard growers spout size for the holes can use kitchen pots. you are drilling. You then need something to Wood is the most costcollect the sap- either effective fuel to use a bucket with a cover, when boiling, though a plastic sap collection a wide variety of fuels Submitted by Michelle Proscia, Ag Educator

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Extension Connection

March 2022

can be used. The sap becomes syrup when the sugar content reached 66%. This occurs when the sap temperature is 7.1 degrees above the boiling point, which is slightly over 219 F. Once you have syrup, you should filter it while hot then bottle for storage when it’s at 180 degrees.

The bottle should then be stored in a cool, dry location.

Making syrup is a lot of work, but there are ways to make it more efficient.

You can increase the amount of sap you collect per tree by using a vacuum tubing system. Using an efficient evaporator will boil the sap down more quickly and use less fuel. Using a reverse osmosis filter can remove a portion of the water before you boil, making boiling significantly faster. You can even plant maple trees bred to have higher sugar contents though it will take many years before these trees are large enough to tap.

Source: “Maple Syrup Production.”

Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Accessed February 17, 2022. http://warren.cce.cornell.edu/ home-page/natural-resources/ maple-syrup-production.

PROJECT UPDATES IUSDA REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM PARTNERSHIP (RFSP) GRANT The Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming, in collaboration with Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, has received a USDA Regional Food System Partnership (RFSP) grant to evaluate challenges and opportunities for livestock production in the Hudson Valley and adjacent regions. This project builds upon the collective experience of Glynwood and the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in serving the livestock industry, and relies on a partnership with the Cornell Cooperative Extension Livestock Program Work Team and the Hudson Valley Livestock Producers Group, formed by Glynwood in 2020.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

CCE staff provided technical assistance to 120 inquiries/contacts and conducted 5 soil tests. Inquiries and technical assistance consisted of farm food safety, business planning/ cost of production, winter management

strategies, beginner farmer education, funding resources, Sullivan County Revolving Loan Program, starting a farm, farm planning and market/ market access assistance, poultry processing, livestock processing, livestock housing, ag labor and employment recruitment, farm food safety practices, livestock production and soil health.

Staff continue to send out ag resource emails to our contacts.

WINTER WORKSHOPS FLOCKS TALKS: PRODUCING, PROCESSING, AND PACKING EGGS FOR SALE JANUARY 26 74 registrants learned about information on food safety, product quality, and regulations surrounding the production of table eggs from flocks of under 3,000 hens. Topics included, Food Safety in the Coop, Collection, Refrigeration, and Washing, Sorting Eggs for Quality, Candling Demonstration, Regulations for Packing and Labeling, and Maintaining Food Safety Through Sale.

Extension Connection

March 2022

BEST FOOT FORWARD: BRANDING, MARKETING, AND SALES AT THE MARKET MARCH 10 6:30 - 7:30 PM Interested in learning more on how to market your products? Join us on a Zoom webinar to gain strategies for creating or improving your brand – and then showcasing it in everything you do… from signage to product display! Get a half dozen tips to improve your table or booth at the market this season ON-FARM COMPOSTING WEBINAR MARCH 17 12:00 - 1:30 PM Are you interested in learning more about composting? Join Agricultural Educator, Michelle Proscia, for a webinar as she discusses the principles and varying methods of composting!

Topics she’ll cover include: • The principles, methods, and FSMA regulations of on-farm composting • Aerobic and anaerobic composting • Small scale vs large scale composting • The basics of vermiculture

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

l a n io t a N is h c r Ma

th n o M y r to is H 's n e Wom

The 7 spikes on the crown of the Statue of Liberty represent the 7 oceans and the 7 continents of the world, indicating the universal concept of liberty. https://thefactəle.org/new-york-state-facts/

“Don’t compromise yourself. You are all you’ve got. There is no yesterday, no tomorrow, it’s all the same day.”

-Janis Joplin

Bessie Coleman is the first African-Ameri c a n woman and first Native A m e r i can to hold a pilot l icense.

I f yo u r p h o a l e r t d e v i c e n e, m e d i c a l system relie , or alar m yo u n e e d t o s o n 3 G s e r v i c e for a shutd pre pare p h o n e s a n dow n . O l d e r c o m mu n i c a d e v i c e s t h a t o t h e r v i a t h t e w i t h e a ch no long er f e inter net will i n c l u d e s e mu n c t i o n ( t h i s calls) once erg ency 911 d ow n t h e i r t h e c a r r i e r s h u t s yo u h ave n o3 G s e r v i c e. I f by yo u r c a r t b e e n n o t i f i e d an older de rier and utilize t h e m t o e n sv i c e, c o n t a c t w i l l n o t b e u r e yo u r d e v i c e affected.

https://w ww .msn.c om/en-us/ or-home-a news/tech larm-relie nology/if-y s-on-3g-yo ar-AAToP our-phon u-need-to nQ?ocid= e-car-prepare-f uxbndlbin or-a-shutd g own/

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Extension Connection t

March h 2022

Farm to School Harvest & Farm of the Month

Potatoes!

Roasted Potatoes 2 lbs.

1/4 tsp.

1 tsp.

1 tsp.

1 tsp.

1/8 tsp.

1/2 tsp.

1-2 Tbsp.

Potatoes Kosher Salt Onion Powder Granulated Garlic Paprika Black Pepper Dried Thyme Cooking Spray or Cooking Oil

Makes 4-6 Servings of About 1/2 Cup

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Wash potatoes, do not peel.

3. Slice potatoes into quarters.

4. In a small bowl, combine all seasonings.

5. Lightly coat baking sheet or pan with oil or cooking spray.

6. Mix potatoes with the oil or cooking spray in a bowl, then add seasoning mixture. Toss to coat.

7. Spread potatoes on the baking sheet or pan.

8. Bake for 15 minutes, then flip potatoes. Return to oven and bake for 15 minutes more until golden brown and fork tender.

83 Calories | Fat 0.3g | Protein 2g | Carbohydrates 19g | Dietary Fiber 2g Visit www.sullivancce.org for more recipes.

Somewhere in Time Farm Parksville, NY Founded: 2017 Owner: Justin Sutherland Product: Vegetables grown using organic practices.

“It’s been my goal to sell my produce to my community. We’ve been building the farm around this mission. It feels great to make this happen.

Supporting small farms by purchasing local food, is a larger act than just that sale. A strong local food system builds a stronger community.

Farming is diverse, honest, and satiating work. I love farming because I am outside all day and I am passionate about food.”

-Justin Sutherland, Owner Follow the Farm!

www.somewhereintimefarm.com @SomewhereInTimeFarm

“For Health, For Flavor, For Life.”

Visit www.sullivancce.org to meet more local farmers!

Extension Connection

March 2022

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DHI Report:

January

SAMPLE NO. TYPE BREED COWS

HerdCode HERDOWNER

MILK FAT PROTEIN

21470096 BRANDON PETERS DAIRY DHI-AP

HO

97 22758

834

703

21470146 THONY'S DAIRY

DHI-AP

HO

52 17517

668

550

21470021 GLASSEL, ROBERT

DHI-AP

HO

46 17137

619

534

21470393 BETHEL CREAMERY

DHI-AP

XX

.

.

.

.

DHI Report:

December

HerdCode HERDOWNER

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SAMPLE NO. TYPE BREED COWS

MILK FAT PROTEIN

21470096 BRANDON PETERS DAIRY DHI-AP

HO

97 22758

834

703

21470146 THONY'S DAIRY

DHI-AP

HO

52 17501

666

548

21470021 GLASSEL, ROBERT

DHI-AP

HO

46 17360

629

536

21470393 BETHEL CREAMERY

DHI-AP

XX

.

.

Extension Connection

March 2022

.

.

CCE Sullivan Spotlights

Agriculture Spotlight

Staff Spotlight

HARVEST OF THE MONTH

ERIN DENMAN

The Farm-to-School program was launched in 2015.

It helps kindergarten through grade 12 schools to increase the purchase of locally grown and produced food for school meals and provides increased economic benefits to New York’s farmers.

Harvest of the Month is a Farm-to-School initiative that promotes a different locally grown food in the school cafeteria each month.

Sullivan Counties Farm to School Initiative is piloting a Harvest of the Month Program in 2022. In February, three school districts, Sullivan West, Roscoe, and Livingston Manor highlighted Butterball and Kennebec Potatoes from Somewhere in Time Farm, in Parksville, NY. The goal of this program is to educate students on the importance of local food, it’s increased nutritional value, and how food purchases and sourcing choices ties directly into our larger economy. We also hope this to be an opportunity for local farms to market to their local consumers, and for School Districts and The Catskills Food Hub, a local, not for profit food distributor, build a fluid working relationship to expand purchasing.

Erin started as the Operations Coordinator at CCE Sullivan County in January 2022.

Born and raised on a small farm, she was a Sullivan County 4-H member for over a decade and a 4-H Equine Program volunteer for three years before aging out. Erin returns to the team with an English B.A. concentrated in Literary Theory and Analysis.

When not at the office she can usually be found reading, watching theatre, or riding the trails with her horse Oreo.

Justin Sutherland of Somewhere in Time Farm, and CCE Board of Directors. Read full Harvest of the Month on page 13.

Extension Connection

Erin Denman, CCE Sullivan County Operations Coordinator and 4-H alumni.

March 2022

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Sullivan County Soil & Water Conservation District 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road, Liberty, NY 12754 (845) 292-6552 2022 Annual Tree and Shrub Program Order Form Name:

______________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________ (give mailing address for reminder notice) City:

__________________________ State: _____ Zip:____________

Phone#:

__________________________ Cell # _____________________

Quantity

Species & Age Conifer Transplants 15" - 24" Norway Spruce Colorado Blue Spruce White Spruce Frasier Fir (10"-18") Douglas Fir Balsam Fir (10"-18") Deciduous Trees & Shrubs Redoiser Dogwood Northern Red Oak Rose of Sharon Common Lilac American Cranberry American Eldeberry Eastern Redbud Butterfly Bush White Willow Red Maple

Price for bundles of 25 50

100

$23 $23 $23 $23

$50 $50 $50 $50

$92 $92 $92 $92

$170 $170 $170 $170

$23 $23 12" - 24" $19 $19 $19 $19 $19 $19 $19 $19 $19 $19

$50 $50

$92 $92

$180 $180

$40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40 $40

$72 $72 $72 $72 $72 $72 $72 $72 $72 $72

$130 $130 $130 $130 $130 $130 $130 $130 $130 $130

$19

$42

$80

$150

Forsythia Conservation Packets Nut Tree Pac Bird & Butterfly Pac Shade Tree Pac Ornamental Flowering Pac Native Flowering Pac Pond Habitat Pac Hosta Pac Perennial Flower Pac Evergreen Pac Edible Fruit Pac Fruit Trees Honeycrisp Apple (3'-5') Cortland Apple (3'-5') Northern Spy Apple (3'-5') Golden Delicious Apple (3'-5') Bartlett Pear (3'-5') Anjou Pear (3'-5') Reliance Peach (3'-5') Sweet Bing Cherry (3'-5') Sweet Stella Cherry (3'-5') Page 16

10

Total $

depending upon availability, nursery may substitute trees in pac .

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$19 per pac $19 per pac $19 per pac $19 per pac $19 per pac $19 per pac $20 per pac $20 per pac $24 per pac $28 per pac $24 per tree $24 per tree $24 per tree $24 per tree $24 per tree $24 per tree $24 per tree $24 per tree $24 per tree March 2022

Quantity

Species Fruit Trees cont.

Blueberry Highbush (9"-12") Raspberry (9"-12") Blackberry (12"-18") Strawberry, Jewel ( root) Ground Covers Daylily (Stella D'Oro yellow) Liatris Spicata (purple) Fountain Grass Hosta (ventricosa) Pachysandra Habitats Blue Bird Boxes Peterson Style Blue Bird Box Wood Duck Boxes Bat Houses Butterfly Boxes Owl/Hawk Boxes Bird Feeders Carpenter Bee Trap Other Items Fertilizer Tablets Marking Flags Tree Protectors - 4 ft Plantskydd Deer Repellant Plantskydd Deer Repellant

*Payment

Price $35 $28 $28 $25

per bundle of 10 per bundle of 10 per bundle of 10 per bundle of 10 $18 per pac of 10 $18 per pac of 10 $18 per pac of 10 $20 per pac of 10 $45 per pac of 50 $15 each $20 each $25 each $20 each $20 each $21 each $21 each $22 each $5 per 25/bag $20 per 100/bundle $7 each

1 Qt. Liquid spray bottle 1 lbs Soluble Powder Concentrate

$20.00 $27.00

Total - pages 1 & 2 Handling Fee Grand Total

must accompany order.

*Make checks payable to: Sullivan County SWCD ** Order Deadline: Pickup Date:

Total $

$5.00

Monday, April 11, 2022 Friday, April 22, 2022 From: 8:30am - 4:00pm Saturday, April 23, 2022 From: 8:30am - 11:00am

*NOTE: Please place your order by March 15th if you want to make sure to get what you order. All orders received after this date are filled with remaining inventory.

The District IS NOT responsible for refunding or replacement of trees & shrubs once they have been picked up. The District IS NOT responsible for the success or failure of your planting as we cannot check a planting location nor guard against improper handling, storage or weather related problems. These seedlings and transplants are not intended for resale.

The District reserves the right to refund, cancel or substitute orders on species that may not be available. There will be NO REFUNDS on orders that are not picked up on time.

Office use only: Date Received

Verify

Check No. Order No.

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EATING RIGHT FOR A HEALTHY WEIGHT Submitted by SueAnn Boyd, Healthy Schools Coordinator

Start with a plan for lifelong health. Focus on the big picture of achieving overall good health – not just shortterm weight loss.

Set healthy, realistic goals. Start with one or two specific, small changes at a time.

Track your progress by keeping a food and activity log.

Get a personalized eating plan. Go to www.

MyPlate.gov for a plan that will give you the amounts of each food group you need daily.

Plan your meals ahead of time. Whether you’re eating at home, packing a lunch or eating out, an overall eating plan for the day will help keep you on track.

Balance your plate with a variety of foods.

Half your plate should be filled with fruits and vegetables, one fourth with protein foods like lean meat, poultry, fish or beans, and 1/4 with grains. To round out your meal, add fat-free or low-fat milk, yogurt, or cheese.

Start your meal with lower calorie foods like fruits, vegetables and Page 18

salads. These foods are packed with nutrients your body needs.

Focus on your food. Pick one place to sit down and eat at home. Eating while doing other things may lead you to eat more than you’re hungry for. Switching from a large plate to a smaller one may also help you become more mindful of portion sizes.

Know when you’ve had enough to eat. Quit before you feel full or stuffed. It takes about 20 minutes for your brain to get the message that your body is getting food. So, fast eaters—slow down and give your brain a chance to get the word.

Get plenty of dietary fiber from fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains.

Dietary fiber can help you feel full longer and may lower your risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Watch portion sizes to manage your calorie intake. To make sure your portion sizes are “just right,” visit www.

MyPlate.gov for healthy eating guidelines in household measures and refer to the Nutrition Facts Label for serving size information.

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Snack smart. Snacks can fit into a healthy eating plan, if they’re planned right. To prevent hunger between meals, choose nutritious foods from the MyPlate food groups.

Keep portable, healthy snacks in your desk, backpack, or car.

Find your balance between food and physical activity.

Regular physical activity is important for your overall health and fitness – plus, it may also help reduce the risk of chronic disease, promote a feeling of wellbeing, and help manage body weight.

Find ways to be active throughout the day.

Aim for 2 hours and 30 minutes, or more, each week of moderateintensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking.

Muscle-strengthening activities at least two days per week are also recommended. If you’re currently inactive, check with your doctor about increasing physical activity first.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion and Complete Food and Nutrition Guide, 5th edition

9 WINTER ENERGY SAVING TIPS Submitted by Sean Welsh, Community Energy Advisor With still a couple months left until the heat gets turned off, and the return of warmer weather, these tips to help lower energy costs can go a long way.

Furnaces are by far one of the biggest energy expenses, heating and cooling our homes involves the largest energy users in residential buildings.

• Turning down the thermostat one degree can save an average of 2% of your costs per degree lowered. Throwing on a sweater and installing a programmable thermostat can help the temperature controls track this for you and save.

• An oil furnace should be serviced annually and keeping it running as efficient as possible will save around 10% of your cost yearly.

• If you have forced air heat, the filter should be cleaned monthly.

• Hot water or steam heat users can have a professional check the water levels and check the system annually to ensure it is working best throughout the home.

• Making sure that the area around the furnace is clean and clear helps with airflow to the furnace and protects from fire.

• Make sure to check the area around radiators, return vents and heating registers is cleared so the heat can

travel without blockages to living areas.

• Looking into a home energy audit and ways to add insulation and air sealing to your home can also keep heat in the home and help with both warming in the winter and cooling in the summer resulting in long term savings- For more info on energy audits reach out to sw288@cornell.edu.

• Don’t forget that when heating and cooling equipment is in need of replacing, to check in with your electric utility for rebates and incentives to help ease costs for some of this equipment.

Electric utilities also offer discounts on things like light bulbs and other home technologies to help consumers save even more.

• For those thinking about new clean heating and cooling technologies, NYS has rebates on air source and ground source heat pumps, Energy Educator and Community Energy Advisor Sean Welsh can be reached out to for more information at sw288@ cornell.edu, 845 292 6180 ext 127.

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Sources: Home Heating Systems. Energy.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved January 26, 2022, from https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/ home-heating-systems Winter energy saving tips. Cornell Cooperative Extension. (n.d.).

Retrieved January 26, 2022, from http://madisoncountycce.org/ energy/energy-saving-tips/ winter-energy-saving-tips

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SULLIVAN FRESH COMMUNITY CUPBOARD: STORIES FROM THE ROAD Submitted by Martin Colavito, Sullivan Fresh Community Cupboard Program Coordinator

January I have been lazy the past couple of months and had not forwarded any stories, but this month was special.

Special because it is the holiday season, special because this month is tailor made to have folks think outside of themselves, and special because it continues to allow us to serve our partners in the Community.

Three stories come to mind this month.

The first is a fellow, who for our purposes I’ll name him Tim. We partner with Tim every week when we deliver food to him. This week, CCE gave gifts to all of our partners in the Community who we serve.

When we gave Tim a gift, he started crying, stating he never gets gifts from anyone. I reminded Tim that, as a partner, he is more than worth it and his worth makes him very important to us as his neighbors. I told Tim we love him, he is a true partner, and voice in our community.

Tim thanked me and said “See you next week, Marty.”

The next story involves a senior who we partner with every week as well. While delivering food this week, Rosa (not her real name), Page 20

made it a point to tell me how important our service is to her. Rosa stated that she gets $900.00 monthly from Social Security, her only income. Rosa explained that her rent is $850.00 a month leaving her a $50.00 windfall. Rosa stated that without the food, she did not know how she would survive.

Before Rosa partnered with us, she stated that most of her meals were comprised of cereal and milk. Now Rosa states she has “real” meals!

Rosa wished everyone who has something to do with the Sullivan Fresh Community Cupboard a great holiday!

Finally, we got a SALT call from a woman and her partner who had no food, just moved into their apartment, and had only an air mattress. No bed, no kitchen table, no silverware, nothing.

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In literally a matter of minutes, the Cupboard delivered food! In a matter of hours, a kitchen table and chairs, a complete bedroom set, a microwave, kitchen utensils, plates, and cups, etc., and a small sofa were arranged. Most importantly, supportive services were arranged with one of our partners. All of these things were a result of SALT members thinking outside themselves, and true community collaborations.

A really important person in my life once told me,“Marty, you cannot keep it unless you give it away”.

I want to thank all of our partners for “GIVING IT AWAY”.

Stay safe.

Love!

Martin

A ‘NOTE’ ABOUT MUSIC: A POWERFUL TOOL FOR CAREGIVERS Submitted by Patricia Avery, CRC Program Coordinator

It’s long been said that music soothes the soul.

In the last few decades, studies have found that music as a therapeutic tool can increase cognitive function in Alzheimer’s patients, help premature infants gain weight, encourage autistic children to communicate, lead stroke patients to regain speech and mobility, control pain, and manage anxiety and depression. Given the positive benefits of music, it is no surprise that music can be beneficial in any caregiving plan and should be considered an essential tool.

We all know that exercise is essential for good health. In the same manner, music provides cognitive exercise for our brains. When it comes to Alzheimer’s patients, studies have shown that music reduces agitation.

If you’d like to use music to help a loved one who you are providing care for, consider these tips: (GraffRadford, 2021) • Think about your loved one’s preferences. What kind of music do they enjoy? What music evokes memories of happy times? Ask family and friends for suggestions.

• Set the mood. To calm your loved one during mealtime or a morning hygiene routine, play music or sing a song that’s soothing. When you’d like to boost your loved one’s mood, use more upbeat music.

• Avoid overstimulation. When playing music, eliminate competing noises. Turn off the TV. Shut the door. Set the volume based on your loved one’s hearing ability. Choose music that isn’t interrupted by commercials, which can cause confusion.

• Encourage movement. Help your loved one to clap along or tap their feet to the beat.

• Sing along. Singing along with your loved one can boost mood and enhance your relationship. Singing can help stimulate unique memories as musical memory differs from other types of memory.

• Pay attention to your loved one’s response. If your loved one seems to enjoy favorite songs, play them often. If your loved one reacts negatively to a particular song or type of music, choose something else

your mood when you have a “down day”. Turn on your music for a wind down at the end of the day, or to help get you off to a great start in the morning.

Overwhelmed and exhausted by 3:00? Take 5 minutes and listen to your go-to song for relaxation, along with a cup of tea.

And breathe!

Locally, Sullivan County Action Toward Independence has an experienced Music Therapist offering Music therapy for individuals and caregivers. Reach out to Melinda Burgard, MA at ATI (845) 794-4228 for information.

In conclusion, be creative and find what works for you. To quote Aretha Franklin, (Music) “It can take you right back, years As a caregiver music is back, to the very moment your therapy as well. We certain things happened know that increased stress, in your life. It’s uplifting. sleep loss, irritability, and It’s encouraging, it’s depression can go hand in strengthening”. hand with caregiving. Too much to do, and often no time to do it. Studies show Sources: Snelling, S. (2012). Caregivers take note that listening to music can – music as therapy. Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. Retrieved January 31, lead to lower aggression, 2022, from https://www.alz.org/blog/ reduce depression and alz/february_2012/caregivers_take_ enhance sleep. Music can note_%E2%80%93_music_as_therapy J. (2021, April 6). How lead to increased secretion Graff-Radford, music can help people with Alzheimer’s. levels of melatonin, a Mayo Clinic. Retrieved January 31, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/ hormone associated with diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/ mood regulation. Create expert-answers/music-and-alzheimers/ faq-20058173 your own playlist to lift Extension Connection

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IMPACT IN 2022: 4-H COMMUNITY SERVICE Submitted by Kaitlyn Conklin, 4-H Educator

4-H Community Service makes an impact on both the receiver and giver of service. In 4-H, the third H stands for “I pledge my hands to larger service”.

What does that mean?

Young people involved in 4-H are working to better their community.

Those contributions to the community can vary in small to large projects.

Food boxes, fund raising, and adopt-a-road projects, just to name a few that help involved youth learn the value of helping

others. Volunteering and working through a community service project may even change the givers’ life plans. By and through the experience, young people can be steered into areas of study or careers. The impact of the community service I have witnessed is that of 4-H youth working with those with disabilities and has led to careers in the field. The connection to the cause, communication skills, self-esteem, and real- world experience is an invaluable impact that comes through 4-H Community Service.

Valentine’s for Veterans sent out by 4-H Kenoza Lake Hummingbirds

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Nominate a Star!

Know someone who deserves the shine of the spotlight?

Email Erin Denman at sullivan@cornell.edu.

Scan to donate!

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