Hello friends of Extension, I hope this note finds you well as we head into fall. As you likely already know, the Extension Education Center has been closed for public walk-ins and group use. BUT, we have continued to serve in person by appointment both at the office, and in the field. You can also reach us by phone at 845-292-6180 and email at sullivan@cornell.edu. Our administrative and program teams have worked hard to keep you updated and engaged through our website sullivancce.org and on our Facebook and Instagram feeds @ccesullivan. All messages are being forwarded daily to the appropriate staff person to follow up on your inquiry. Right now, our program staff are working on ways to bring more programs outdoors to community spaces and neighborhoods. Keep your eyes peeled on our events pages and in the community for the Sullivan Fresh van and CCE Sullivan mobile classroom trailer. You’ll know it when you see it, I promise!
Our Facilities Manager John Wilcox and Environment and Natural Resources Program Manager Brenda Miller have worked hard this summer to get the Turtle Spring Nature Trail groomed and outfitted with outdoor fitness equipment. While we’re still not open for group activities, please feel free to stop by the trailhead at the back of the Education Center to check it out. It’s a great, low impact way to get some physical activity and some quiet nature. Additionally, the Catskills Kitchen Food Business Incubator has remained open for use by existing food business entrepreneurs. If you’ve always wanted to start your own food business, and you’re finding yourself with extra time to develop that idea, now is as good a time as any to reach out to Catskills Kitchen Coordinator Erica Lynch to learn how. She can be reached at ell68@cornell.edu. And if you already have a licensed, shelf-stable food product and are looking to expand your market, consider connecting with Ag Market Program Manager Vanessa Petrossian about shoptasteny.com. She can be reached at tastenywoodbury@cornell.edu. Aside from being able to support essential business operations during the pandemic, the reduced public access to the Extension Education Center has given us some time to finish up a few capital projects. Our friends at Jeff Bank are helping us install safety measures like touch-free faucets and free standing hand sanitizer stations around the building. In addition, we’re still diligently working with New York State to upgrade our Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling system (HVAC), specifically to increase outdoor air intake, ensuring that when we do open back up for group programming, we’re able to do it as safely and comfortably as possible.
Until next month, may y health he h eal alth t stay sta with you and yours,
C ll Monaghan Colleen M h Executive Director, cm638@cornell.edu Extension Connection
September 2020
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