USPS-525-100
Extension Connection Sullivan County
YOUR LINK TO LOCAL, RESEARCH-BASED SOLUTIONS TO BETTER YOUR LIFE
VOLUME LXXXXIX NO. 9
SEPTEMBER 2018
The first-ever 4-H Alpaca show took place at the Sullivan County Youth Fair on August 17, 2018. Congratulations to the youth exhibitors in every project area!
Upcoming U pcoming Events Events & Programs Programs
Issue Isssue sue Highlights Higghhligghhts
Tai Chi for Arthritis
Keeping Backyard Chickens & Poultry
FREE Gardening Seminar with Sullivan Renaissance
What to Do about All These Insects
Corn Plot Field Day One Complete Life Sullivan 180 Wellness Circle
Think Integrated Pest Management What is a Complete Streets Policy? Home Performance with Energy Star
Small Ruminant Seminar
The Developing Teen Brain
Business Planning with SCORE
Dysphagia: Problems Making It Hard to Swallow
Catskills Kitchen OPEN HOUSE Living with Alzheimer’s: The Early Stages Cornell Country BBQ & Auction See page 12 for more events!
Community Guest Editorial: Sullivan 180
See page 14 for fast facts and this month’s Eat Smart NY recipe!
Welcome W elcome to to the the Issue! Issue! Page 3 Message from the Executive Director Page 4 Keeping Backyard Chickens & Poultry Page 5 Corn Plot Field Day Page 6 What to Do about All These Insects Page 7 Think IPM Page 8 What is a Complete Streets Policy?
Table Table of of Contents Contents Page 12 Upcoming Programs
Page 22 Opportunities for You
Page 13 Home Performance with Energy Star
Page 24 Sponsorships
Page 13 DHI Reports: June & July
Page 26 The Developing Teen Brain
Page 14 Fast Facts, Cool Tools, & News to Use
Page 27 Dysphagia: Problems Making It Hard to Swallow
Page 16 In Case You Missed It
Page 28 Cornell Country BBQ & Auction: Help us celebrate the Master Gardener Volunteers!
Page 18 Community Guest Editorial of the Month Page 20 CCESC Spotlights
The Extension Connection (USPS-525-100) is published monthly for $25.00 enrollment by Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County, located at 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road, Suite 1, Liberty, NY 12754-2903. Entered at Liberty, New York, as a periodical class matter. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in section 412, Act of February 24, 1925. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Extension Connection, 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road, Suite 1, Liberty, NY 12754-2903.
REGULAR OFFICE HOURS
EXTENSION CONNECTION
8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday-Friday Phone: 845-292-6180 Fax: 845-292-4946 Website: www.sullivancce.org E-mail: sullivan@cornell.edu Twitter.com/ccesullivan Facebook.com/ccesullivan Instagram.com/cce_sullivan_county YouTube: bitly.com/ccesullivan
Designed by: Centermost Marketing, LLC
Edited by: Nicole Slevin & Colleen Monaghan
Produced by: Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. NOTICE: Official endorsement of advertisers and their products is not intended by the acceptance of their advertisements for the Extension Connection.
STAFF MEMBERS
Colleen Monaghan............................................................................Executive Director SueAnn Boyd.......................................................Healthy Schools Program Coordinator Wanda V. Cruz.............................................Healthy Communities Program Coordinator Jessica Glassel.....................................................................................Finance Assistant Beth Johnston-Groth...............................................................Administrative Assistant II Robert Kaplan..............................President Marylin Jones..........................................................................4-H Program Coordinator Amy Erlwein........................Vice President Bridget Kackos...................................................................................Association Intern Dawn Parsons...............................Treasurer Bonnie Lewis.............................................................Dependent Care Subject Educator John Kiefer...................................Secretary Michelle Proscia................................................................Agriculture Subject Educator Nadia Rajsz........................Legislative Rep. Erica Lynch........................................................Catskills Kitchen Program Coordinator Todd Brown Melinda Meddaugh.....................................................Ag & Food Systems Team Leader Jenny Chamberlain Barbara Moran...............................................4-H Animal Science Program Coordinator Marcie Ehrman Bee Moser................................................................................Eat Smart NY Nutritionist Denise Frangipane Vanessa Pahucki.....................................................................Taste NY Market Manager Sonja Hedlund Nicole Slevin.......................................................Communications & Diversity Manager John “JP� Lang Erin Mason Kaitlyn Conklin............................................................................4-H Program Educator Klu Padu Nat Tompkins...............................................Agriculture Business Program Coordinator Luisa Parker Tara VanHorn.......................................................................................Finance Manager Robert Wong Malinda Ware......................................Health & Community Development Issue Leader Sean Welsh...........................................................................Energy Resource Educator John Wilcox........................................................................................Facilities Manager
2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Extension Connection
September 2018
Greetings, friends! We missed you last month! With all the preparation for fair and late summer staff vacations, we didn’t get the August newsletter out. We’ll make it up to you with a special edition of the Extension Connection when we mail out our Ag & Food Systems report. Thank you for your patience as we pull that together for print! A few times a year, an emerging issue or crisis in one of our program areas becomes apparent to the Extension office and our teams must quickly gather to consider if and how we might take action to assist the local community in navigating whatever challenges have arisen. Two years ago it was eggshell management. Last year it was solar farms. And this year, as most of you are surely aware, Sullivan County dairies face the possibility of losing the market for their milk. CCESC’s ag team has been working with the dairies and various partners in an effort to reimagine the future for these folks and their children. CCESC will continue to work with our agricultural partners, Sullivan County government, and others to support the development of new and reliable markets for one of the most important industries in our county. Last month, CCESC hosted the annual Sullivan County Youth Fair at the 139th Grahamsville Little World’s Fair at the Grahamsville Fairgrounds. More than 400 4-H youth exhibits made their way to the youth, livestock, and horse buildings. Your tax dollars pay for 100% of this youth development program, which serves about 250 Sullivan County kids per year. We hope you enjoyed coming out to see what all the fuss is about! Besides supporting the kids, your support helped raise more than $14,000 to make the event happen and to raise scholarship funds for young people interested in agriculture. While working the fair myself, I received a few inquiries that echo a question we hear all year long. Why does Extension seem to focus on young, new, and beginning farmers, sometimes seemingly at the expense of support for larger, longer term commercial ag operations? As mentioned above, our ag team leaves some slack in their programming calendar in order to address emerging issues. These issues most often affect our larger ag producers, who for the most part, are operating a thriving business due to their long term expertise and ability to navigate volatile markets. Being available to support them on broader policy and neighbor issues, as opposed to general farm operations, is extremely important to us and hopefully provides some relief to those folks so they can continue to focus on their business. At the same time, the Sullivan County Extension office has received more than 125 inquiries from young, new, and beginning farmers in less than three years. A single phone, email, or walk-in inquiry often results in dozens of hours each of farm or site visits, production and business planning, technical assistance around financing and marketing, and assistance in navigating complex public policy, best management practices, safety, and labor issues. Our view is that in order to grow what was a stagnant industry in the county for more than a decade, we need to dedicate the time and resources it takes to get these folks up and running a viable operation. These efforts build the tax base, preserve the rural character of Sullivan County, and supports jobs for your friends and neighbors. We provide this assistance one-on-one and in a group teaching setting. We think this is time well spent, and we hope you do too. With all of the above in mind, we hope to continue to see you out and about this fall, in support of local agriculture and food. You can find us at your local farmers’ markets, the ENGN Field Office in Callicoon on Wednesdays, at the Soul Food Café in Liberty, or right here at the Extension Education Center. We’re offering new cooking classes out of the Catskills Kitchen, gearing up for Farm-to-School activities, and will host our Cornell Country Chicken BBQ on September 15. Until next month, I hope you have some time to enjoy the cooler temperatures. My Best Wishes, Colleen Monaghan, Executive Director cm638@cornell.edu
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September 2018
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KEEPING BACKYARD CHICKENS & OTHER POULTRY Submitted by Michelle Lipari, Agriculture Subject Educator
Wash your hands and take other steps to reduce your chances of getting Salmonella.
To keep your family healthy, follow the tips below when collecting and handling eggs from a backyard flock:
Owning backyard chickens and other poultry can be a great experience. However, children and other groups of people have a greater chance of illness from handling live poultry or anything in the area where they live and roam. Even handling baby birds displayed at stores can cause a Salmonella infection.
• Always wash your hands with soap and water right after touching live poultry or anything in the area where they live and roam.
• Always wash your hands with soap and water after handling eggs, chickens, or anything in their environment.
There are many ways you can get salmonella from live poultry. Live poultry might have Salmonella germs in their droppings and on their bodies (feathers, feet, and beaks), even when they appear healthy and clean. The germs can get on cages, coops, feed and water dishes, hay, plants, and soil in the area where the birds live and roam. Germs also can get on the hands, shoes, and clothes of people who handle or care for the birds. People become infected with Salmonella germs when they put their hands or equipment that has been in contact with live poultry in or around their mouth. Young children are more likely to get sick because their immune systems are still developing and they are more likely to put their fingers or pacifiers and other items into their mouths. People who have contact with items like coops or water dishes in the area where poultry live can get sick without actually touching one of the birds. Germs on your hands can spread easily to other people or surfaces, which is why it’s important to wash hands immediately with soap and water after touching poultry or anything in the area where they live and roam.
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• Adults should supervise handwashing by young children. • Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not readily available. • Don’t let live poultry inside the house, especially in areas where food or drink is prepared, served, or stored. • Set aside a pair of shoes to wear while taking care of poultry and keep those shoes outside of the house. • Don’t let children younger than 5 years, adults older than 65, or people with weakened immune systems from conditions such as cancer treatment, HIV/AIDS, or organ transplants handle or touch chicks, ducklings, or other live poultry. • Don’t eat or drink in the area where the birds live or roam. • Don’t kiss your birds or snuggle them and then touch your face or mouth. • Stay outdoors when cleaning any equipment or materials used to raise or care for live poultry, such as cages or feed or water containers. • Buy live poultry from hatcheries that participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Poultry Improvement Plan (USDA-NPIP) U.S. voluntary Salmonella Monitoring Program. This program is intended to reduce the incidence of Salmonella in baby poultry in the hatchery, which helps prevent the spread of illness among poultry and people. Chickens and other poultry may carry bacteria such as Salmonella that can get inside of eggs before the shells are formed. Eggs can also become contaminated from poultry droppings.
• Maintain a clean coop. Cleaning the coop, floor, nests and perches on a regular basis will help to keep eggs clean. • Collect eggs often. Eggs that spend a significant amount of time in the nest can become dirty or break. Cracked eggs should be thrown away. • Eggs with dirt and debris can be cleaned with fine sandpaper, a brush or cloth. Don’t wash eggs, because colder water can pull bacteria into the egg. • Refrigerate eggs after collection. • Cook eggs thoroughly. Raw and undercooked eggs contain Salmonella bacteria that can make you sick. • Know the local regulations around sale of eggs. If you sell eggs, it is important to follow local licensing requirements.
Avian Flu Live poultry also can carry avian influenza (flu) viruses. Avian flu very rarely makes people sick Symptoms of Salmonella Infection Salmonella germs can make people sick with: • Diarrhea • Vomiting • Fever • Abdominal cramps
Safe handling tips for eggs from backyard poultry
Sometimes, people can become so sick from a Salmonella infection that they have to go to the hospital. Children younger than 5 years, adults older than 65, and people with weakened immune systems, including pregnant women, are more likely to have a serious illness from Salmonella.
Egg shells may become contaminated with Salmonella through the laying process, once the eggs are laid, through poultry feed or bedding.
CDC’s Salmonella website has more information about Salmonella infections. If you suspect you or your child has a Salmonella infection,
Extension Connection
September 2018
please contact your healthcare provider immediately. CDC’s Salmonella website has more information about Salmonella infections. If you suspect you or your
child has a Salmonella infection, please contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Extension Connection
Source: “CDC Features.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. June 08, 2018. Accessed August 21, 2018. https:// www.cdc.gov/features/salmonellapoultry/ index.html.
September 2018
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WHAT TO DO ABOUT ALL THESE INSECTS Submitted by Colleen Monaghan, Executive Director Q. There are all sorts of critters and bugs around my house and garden. What do I do? A. Carpenter bees, crickets, flies, mosquitoes, slugs and snails, wasps, and hornets! These guys can be a nuisance when you’re out in the garden, and nobody wants them in their house. Here’s some info from Cornel University’s Crop and Pest Guides on what these pests are and ideas on how to manage them. Carpenter bees: These are structural pests that bore holes for nesting in face boards of porches, windows, door frames, and even raised garden beds and fencing. Like other bees, carpenter bees are pollinators and are considered beneficial. Once nesting sites are established, the bees tend to return to the site year after year, preferring rough-cut untreated wood surfaces over painted or well-finished surfaces. Screen bees from nesting sites, especially in spring and early
summer. Fill holes with putty and repaint as needed. Hanging trap boards may cause bees to use these instead of your house or garden structures, and then they can be moved away from the house and garden. Crickets: These bugs feed on most vegetation and will also eat pet foods left outside or in the basement. They often enter homes in late fall when outdoor food becomes scarce. Remove accumulations of moist debris from basements and ground floor entrances and windows. Some crickets are attracted to light at night. Switching to yellow bulbs can keep them away. Flies: Manure, garbage, unkempt compost piles, piles of grass clippings, and other rich and decaying matter in the yard and garden provide breeding areas for flies. Spread these materials to keep them dry and discourage breeding zones. Mosquitos: These insects breed in stagnant water,
including in old tires, uncovered rain barrels, frog and butterfly garden vessels, and stagnant water features in the yard and garden. Empty or dispose of all receptacles that can hold stagnant water. Several useful repellent and repellent formulations are available at your local home and garden stores. Slugs and snails: Typically, these guys need to be removed by hand and disposed of daily before dark. Piles of organic matter like decaying leaves may attract slugs and snails. One home remedy is to use “beer bait”. Put about three quarter inches of beer in a steep sided dish or tray to attract these pests away from your garden. You can also use upside bowls and flower pots to trap slugs and snails before disposing of them. Wasps and hornets: Stinging insects that build nests near your home or garden can be a nuisance and even dangerous to those with allergies. Social insects, many individuals live in the same nest. Species in New York State are annual nesters. Most are paper wasps that use wood pulp to build their nests and are attracted to unfinished wood decks, lawn furniture, or awnings. Painting or oiling these surfaces reduces their attractiveness to paper wasps. Wasp populations are highest by August and September. If possible, wait until frost kills the insects, then remove and dispose of the nests. As with all pests, gardeners can protect themselves while they’re out in the garden by wearing light colored, long sleeves and pants, tucked in to your gardening gloves and socks. There are also spray repellents to keep the annoyances away while you’re tending your garden.
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Extension Connection
September 2018
Greenhouse growers want more IPM methods for insect and disease pests of ornamental and vegetable crops.
$GGU ĆƒKGU YCURU and other pollinators are crucial for crops, landscapes, and natural areas. But they’re under threat.
Fire blight is a potentially lethal disease of apples. Now it’s becoming resistant to standard controls.
Monitoring: How many?
Biology: How does it live?
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Extension Connection
hang sticky traps, release parasites
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September 2018
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HOME PERFORMANCE WITH ENERGY STAR Submitted by Sean Welsh, Energy Resource Educator It’s easy to lower your energy bills and make your home more comfortable with the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® program. Are your cooling and heating costs a year-round headache? Are high energy bills getting you down? Would you like to know what you can do to control these costs and stop wasting energy and money? NYSERDA’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® program makes it easy and affordable to make a smart investment in a more energy efficient home. This program has helped thousands of homeowners across the State lower their energy bills and live more comfortably all year long. It all starts with a home energy assessment conducted by trained and experienced Home Performance professionals. The assessment provides you with a top to bottom look at where your home is wasting energy. You will learn the cause of drafts, inconsistent temperatures, heating and cooling system failures, or other problems you may be experiencing, such as indoor air quality concerns and other health and safety worries. Scheduling a home energy assessment A home energy assessment takes a whole house approach to identify where the biggest energy efficiency gains can be made. The assessment analyzes how all the elements of your home work together to affect the amount of electricity and fuel you use. Every assessment must be performed by a participating Home Performance contractor recognized by the Building Performance Institute as a Goldstar Contractor. These contractors are specially trained and experienced in using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to provide you with an unparalleled, comprehensive analysis of your home’s energy efficiency. Participating contractors are insured and subject to quality reviews by NYSERDA.
Visit nyserda.energysavvy.com/ contractors for list of approved contractors. Additional information regarding contractors in your area, a video of the typical home assessment, and an application can be found at LINK: nyserda.ny.gov/ All-Programs/Programs/HomePerformance-With-ENERGY-STAR/ How-the-Program-Works. After the assessment is complete, you will review the results with your contractor to determine which of the recommended home energy improvements make the most sense for you. These can include everything from adding insulation and energyefficient light bulbs to installing a high-efficiency furnace and ENERGY STAR® certified appliances. Make sure you understand the recommendations and ask questions. You will then be asked to sign a contract with the contractor; however, if you are not ready to undertake upgrades to your home, you are not obligated to do so. You may also decide to select a different contractor if you feel the need. Customers can apply for available financing to assist with paying for home improvements. NYSERDA offers two loan options: The OnBill Recovery loan and the Smart Energy loan. Both loan options help New York State residents finance energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements made through NYSERDA’s programs. NYSERDA offers lower interest rates to lowincome New Yorkers and those who cannot qualify for traditional financing. Talk to your participating contractor and select the loan that works best for you. Loans are not incentives or rebates and must be paid back. These loan options can be used with the following NYSERDA programs: • The Home Performance with Energy Star® program and Assisted Home Performance with Energy Star programs, which use home assessments to inform homeowners where their house is wasting energy • The NY Sun program, which makes solar-generated electricity accessible
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September 2018
and affordable by converting sunlight into electricity • The Renewable Heat NY program, which supports the installation of highefficiency, low-emission, wood-heating technology • The Ground Source Heat Pumps purchase and installation program, (also referred to as geothermal heat pumps) With the On-Bill Recovery Loan, your monthly payments may not exceed your estimated average monthly energy cost savings. Your loan payments are included on your utility bill, so you will not have an extra bill each month. Your energy savings essentially pay for your work. • Interest rates are subject to change and availability is subject to the customer’s credit qualification. For available residential interest rates, click on the Find Interest Rate button. • Loan amounts are from $1,500–$25,000, with terms of 5, 10, or 15 years. • Balance may be transferred to new owner if home is sold. • A declaration is filed with the County Clerk to record the obligation of the loan (this is not a lien on the property). • You must own the home and be named on the utility account. • The home must be served by a participating utility, including: Central Hudson Gas & Electric, Con Edison, PSEG-Long Island, NYSEG, National Grid (Upstate NY customers only), Orange & Rockland, and Rochester Gas & Electric.
The Smart Energy Loan is a more traditional loan that you repay monthly to NYSERDA’s loan servicer via check or automatic payment from your bank. • Interest rates are subject to change and availability is subject to the customer’s credit qualification. For available residential interest rates, click on the Find Interest Rate button. • Loan amounts from $1,500–$25,000, with terms of 5, 10, or 15 years. • If you sell or transfer the property, you remain responsible for the balance of the loan. Continued on page 13.
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• You must own the home or be an authorized representative of the property owner.
Visit LINK nyserda.ny.gov/AllPrograms/Programs/ResidentialFinancing-Options for loan approval criteria and additional information. If you have additional questions, please contact Energy Finance Solutions, NYSERDA’s loan provider, at 800-361-5663. The Assisted Home Performance with Energy Star Program® provides qualified customers with a discount covering 50% of the cost of eligible energy efficiency improvements—up to $4,000 per project for single-family homes. Two- to four-unit residential homes with income eligible residents may qualify for a discount up to $8,000 per project. The Assisted Home Performance with Energy Star® program
functions much like the Home Performance with Energy Star regarding working with contractors and the home energy assessment. To see if consumers qualify for the Assisted Home Performance with Energy Star program visit LINK: nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/ Programs/Assisted-HomePerformance-with-ENERGY-STAR/ Income-Guidelines. Once the project is finished, you will be asked to sign off that the work has been satisfactorily completed. If you are receiving a loan, the lender will pay any amounts borrowed directly to the contractor. Your contractor can assist you at any point of the process or you can contact a participating Community Energy Advisor. In the Mid-Hudson Valley Region you can contact Sean Welsh, sw288@cornell. edu, 845-292-6180 ex 127.
Sources: “NYSERDA.” Average Home Heating Oil Prices - NYSERDA. Accessed June 01, 2018. nyserda.ny.gov/AllPrograms/Programs/Assisted-HomePerformance-with-ENERGY-STAR/ Income-Guidelines. “NYSERDA.” Average Home Heating Oil Prices - NYSERDA. Accessed June 01, 2018. nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/ Programs/Assisted-Home-Performancewith-ENERGY-STAR/Income-Guidelines. “NYSERDA.” Average Home Heating Oil Prices- NYSERDA. Accessed June 01, 2018. nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/ Home-Performance-With-ENERGY-STAR
DHI Report: JULY
DHI Report: JUNE
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August Focus: Fast Facts, Cool Tools, & News to Use!
A group called a of butterflies is kaleidos cope! Birds, bats, bees, butterflies, beetles, and other small mammals that pollinate plants are responsible for bringing us one out of every three bites of food.
Recycling a single aluminum n save s enough enca ergy to ru TV or PC for 3 hou n a rs!
Your brain is 73% water. It takes only 2% dehydration to affect your attention , memory, and other cognitive sskills. killss.
Crickets good fo can be r your gu t? New stu d
ies show that consumi ng crick ets can help support the growth o f benefic ial gut bact eria and that eating c rickets i s not only safe at high d oses but may also red uce inflamm ation in the body. (Perhaps parents c an relax when the ir child p ops one in their m outh!)
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August Focus: Fast Facts, Cool Tools, & News to Use!
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YOUTH FAIR PLANNING
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
July 5, 12, 19, August 14-20
July 12
Sullivan County Youth Fair planning, implementation, and clean-up came and went. Thank you Volunteer Fair Superintendents, atlarge volunteers, and parents for another great year!
4-H RABBIT CLUB MEETING July 9 The 4-H Working Together Rabbit Club had their monthly meeting at the Extension Education Center to prepare for the Sullivan County Youth Fair. Congrats to all the youth who showed at Fair!
CAREGIVER SUPPORT July 10, 11, 19, August 14, 16, 25, 29 Monthly Caregiver Support Groups take place around the county, hosted by the Caregiver Resource Center and the Alzheimer’s Association of the Hudson Valley. For more information, contact Bonnie Lewis at 845-292-6180.
BEGINNING FARMER TALKS July 10, August 20 The Ag Team partnered with Winterton Farms in Bloomingburg and Gorzynksi Ornery Farm in Narrowsburg to host the second and third gatherings of a Beginning Farmer Tailgate Talks series. The potluck series seeks to engage new and beginning farmers with experienced peers who can mentor their start-ups.
ALZHEIMER’S CLASSES July 11, 13, 17, 20 The Basics of Alzheimer’s Disease, Understanding and Responding to Dementia Behaviors, Living with Alzheimer’s DiseaseMiddle Stages, and Financial Planning was hosted by the Caregiver Resource Center and Alzheimer’s Association of the Hudson Valley around the county. These presentations are free and available upon request by community agencies.
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CCE Diversity & Inclusion staff committee held their monthly meeting and discussed outreach to the Spanish speaking community, Inclusion Surveys circulating the county in English and Spanish, and recommended “Adultism vs. Ageism” as the topic of the month for the August All Staff Meeting.
INTERGENERATIONAL TEXTILE GROUP IS GROWING July 20 The Intergenerational Textile Group is growing! To participate in this free youth/adult partnership, which crafts warm accessories for neighbors in need and independent projects, stop by the 3rd Friday of the month at 6 pm. No experience necessary!
CRISP ASH TREE TRAINING
REGIONAL HORSE EVENTS
July 16
July 21, 22, 31
CRISP Monitoring and Managing Ash (MaMA) Tree Training was offered to more than 20 participants by the CCE Community Horticulture program, working to identify and mitigate invasive species in the region.
CCE SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED July 17 CCESC celebrated Sullivan County youth scholars with the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan Counties at the Arnold House. CCESC assisted in sponsoring three youth through the Earl Wilde and Skoda Family Scholarship funds this year.
CATSKILLS KITCHEN OUT & ABOUT July 19 The Catskills Kitchen made a showing, demonstrating fresh salsa preparation and other recipes at the Monticello Farmers’ Market. Visit your local markets to support Sullivan County farms while the season lasts!
SULLIVAN 180 HEALTH CHAMPION WELLNESS CIRCLE July 19, August 2, 23 BocaGirl 180 Wellness Circle, a Sullivan 180 program, continued this summer at the Extension Education Center. Free walks and talks in mindfulness, active living, nutrition, and food preparation round out the offering. Call SueAnn at 845-292-6180 or check out the Community Guest Editorial to learn more.
Extension Connection
September 2018
As lead for the Hudson Valley Regional 4-H Horse Program, CCESC hosted two NYS Qualifying Shows for 30 horse-crazy kids at the new 4-H Education Park in Orange County and at the Ulster County Fairgrounds. Thank you to our gracious neighboring county hosts and CONGRATS to all who participated!
CATSKILLS KITCHEN COOKING WITH LAURA SILVERMAN July 25 The Catskills Kitchen offered Cooking with Laura Silverman (of the Outside Institute) & Friends to a full class. With a focus on natural ingredients, participants got to touch, smell, and taste their meal from the perspective of a real natural foodie.
PASSION FOR POULTRY July 26 Ag Educator Michelle (Lipari) Proscia shared her passion and expertise by offering a Beginning Poultry Class. Michelle has also been tapped by the Cornell Small Farms program to offer a state-wide, six session series on beginning poultry practices. Great job, Michelle!
AG TEAM MEET WITH FASO August 1 Ag staff participated in a roundtable discussion with Congressman John Faso in Dutchess County, using the talk as an opportunity to support SNAP-Ed funding for nutrition education for friends and neighbors in need, and support for revisions to the Farm Bill that would help Sullivan County dairy farms.
3 CCE
Scholarships awarded to high school seniors
Ag Team discuss SNAP-Ed and Farm Bill Revisions with
4-H works with Assemblywoman y
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Congressman
on Afterschool programs at Monticello School
John Faso
ELLENVILLE LIBRARY SUPPORTS CATSKILLS KITCHEN
POWERFUL TOOLS FOR CAREGIVERS
ALL ABUZZ AT INTRO TO BEEKEEPING
August 1
Augsut 20, 27
August 21
Catskills Kitchen staff presented small food processing retail opportunities for a full house at the Ellenville Library. The kitchen has assisted more than three dozen start-ups in just three years.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers, an evidencebased program to support folks in caring for yourself so you can care for homebound loved ones, kicked off in August. The program is free. Find out more by calling Bonnie at 845-292-6180.
The Community Horticulture program hosted more than 15 participants at an Intro to Beekeeping workshop. Thank you to the Beekeepers Association and the Master Gardener Volunteers who assisted in making this program a success!
4-H STAFF WORK WITH ASSEMBLYWOMAN GUNTHER August 2, 17 CCESC’s youth development staff are working with Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther’s office and the afterschool team at Monticello Central School to kick-start 4-H afterschool programs in the district this fall as part of their Empire State Afterschool Program. Programs start mid-September!
SOCIAL MEDIA ROUNDTABLE August 14 Communications & Diversity Manager Nicole Slevin was tapped to attend a communications roundtable at CCE in Ulster County. Her expertise will be used around the region to assist other Extensions in raising the bar on social media outreach.
CCE AT SOUL FOOD CAFE August 20 Extension staff continue their community outreach efforts with presence at the Soul Food Café in Liberty. Monthly, CCESC staff stop by for informal chats with folks in the community. Volunteers are welcome to join us!
CCE Executive Director Colleen Monaghan and County Clerk Dan Briggs pose for a picture in this fun frame at the Sullivan Renaissance Awards Ceremony on August 6.
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CCE Sullivan Spotlights
Partner Spotlight NYSERDA CCE Sullivan County, in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County, is working with residents and small businesses in the Mid-Hudson Region to complete clean energy projects. This effort is part of NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Engagement Program (CEEP). The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) promotes energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources. These efforts are key to developing less pollution, and more reliable, affordable, and resilient energy system for all New Yorkers. Collectively, NYSERDA’s efforts aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, accelerate economic growth, and reduce customer energy bills. NYSERDA works with stakeholders including residents, business owners, developers, community leaders, university researchers, utility representatives, and investors to develop, invest, and foster conditions that: • Attract the private capital investment to expand clean energy • Overcome barriers to using clean energy at a large scale • Enable communities and residents to benefit from energy efficiency and renewable energy
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Volunteer Spotlight BRIDGET KACKOS Bridget Kackos is the new intern at Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County! As a local horse enthusiast and Sullivan County 4-H alumni, Bridget is the perfect match for the CCE team. She is a senior at SUNY Oneonta studying communications, and is truly passionate about agriculture. Bridget plans to be interning at CCE until December, gaining onthe-job experience and training with the Agriculture & Food Systems program area, and Association communications across the board. You may spot her shadowing Nat Tompkins (ag business coordinator) on a farm visit, attending a partner meeting with Melinda Meddaugh (Ag & Food Systems team leader), or representing CCE at a local farmers’ market with Michelle Proscia (ag subject educator). She’ll be working with Nicole Slevin (communications & diversity manager) behind the scenes on social media, web management, marketing projects, design, and more! Welcome to our team, Bridget!
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Staff Spotlight VANESSA PAHUCKI Vanessa Pahucki is Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County’s new Taste NY Market Manager for a brand new Taste NY store opening in the coming months. Taste NY, launched by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in 2013, highlights the quality, diversity, and economic impact of food and beverages grown, produced, or processed in New York State. Taste NY aims to create new opportunities for producers through events, retail locations, and partnerships. Vanessa has extensive retail experience and will manage up to seven positions as part of the CCE Taste NY team. Stay tuned for more from this exciting project in the coming months. Check the website for the latest listing of job postings for the Taste NY store. Deadline: September 13. MUST APPLY ONLINE: sullivancce.org/jobs
CCE Sullivan Spotlights
4-H Spotlight KENOZA LAKE HUMMINGBIRDS 4-H CLUB The Kenoza Lake Hummingbirds 4-H Club received some amazing news on August 6th when they learned their Pollinator Garden Project was awarded a $3,000 grant! Four members attended the Annual Sullivan Renaissance Awards Ceremony at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts to accept a “Certificate of Completion”. They were thrilled to find they also won the “Best Overall Showing of Flowers” category, earning a monetary stipend. The club’s garden project is located across from Firemen’s Park in Callicoon Center. Work on the project has been ongoing since planning began in February “to brighten the area” next to the playground pavilion. The site participates in the “Sullivan Rocks” initiative and future plans include adding a sign to the garden. Bravo, Hummingbirds!
Nominate a Star Know someone who deserves dese serves the shine of the spotligh ht? spotlight? Email Nicole Slevin: nas96@cornell.edu
Kenoza Lake Hummingbirds accept $3 $3,000 000 grant from Sullivan Renaissance for their pollinator garden project in Callicoon Center! Butterflies love the 4-H 4H Kenoza Lake Hummingbirds’ Pollinator Garden! Extension Connection
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SCHOLARSHIPS FOR EVERYBODY CCESC Association Scholarship For General Public | Amount Varies
Deadline to Apply: Rolling
To stimulate interest in educational programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County. In the event of financial limitations that prevent a Sullivan County resident from receiving educational services, program fees may be partially covered by this scholarship. Sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County, and Sullivan Renaissance. Inquire with CCESC.
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Download a free copy!
>>>>>>>>>>>>> of the Ultimate Guide Book for Farmers in the Catskills, an agricultural resource manual that CCE created in partnership with Sullivan County Government.
Download it online:
sullivancce.org/agriculture Page 22
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THE DEVELOPING TEEN BRAIN Submitted by Marylin Jones, 4-H Program Coordinator During the teen years, essential parts of the brain are still forming which allow people to weigh the pros and cons of situations instead of acting on impulse. The prefrontal cortex, where we make decisions and comparative judgments about the value of different courses of action, is crucial for regulating behavior in the face of potential rewards like food or drugs. Adolescents, prone to risky behaviors and impulsive actions that provide instant gratification instead of eventual rewards is due, in part, because their prefrontal cortex is still a work in progress. It’s helpful to think of the brain as a very complex computer made up of circuits that affect or mediate all sorts of different functions in the brain; the learning circuit, the memory circuit, the higher thinking (cognitive function) circuit; all sorts of networks in the brain that interact with each other and with the environment. Deep within the brain is also a circuit of reward influencing feelings of pleasure. The amygdala, the part of the brain governing instinct or gut feeling, develops early and is already mature in a teenager while the prefrontal cortex involved in self-control takes much longer to fully mature. In addition, the neural circuits linking these areas to the reward regions are also still developing in adolescence. Thus, teenagers are challenged in their ability to make decisions about the value of different courses of action amid the face of potential “rewards” like alcohol, drugs, tobacco, or food. The pressures to try these substances (stress and peers) are numerous, but cognitive resources are inadequate to resist. Teenagers are thereby prone to Page 26
choose risky behavior or impulsive action providing instant gratification instead of waiting for eventual rewards. In addition, research has shown that alcohol and other drugs can change the brain’s structure and how it works in the short and long term. In the short term, drugs affect a brain’s judgment and decision-making abilities, while long-term use can cause brain changes that set people up for addiction and other problems. The brains of people who become addicted get altered so that drugs become their top priority—and they will compulsively seek and use drugs even though it brings devastating consequences to their lives and to those who care about them. Dr. Nora Volkow, renowned for her studies on changes to the brain caused by drug addiction, has also found similar changes in obese people, that both addiction and obesity are diseases that involve the way the brain responds to rewarding things, things that make us feel good. She describes the brain as a brilliant machine that has evolved over millions of years in order to navigate a complex world filled with danger and few rewards. The reward of food was important enough to brave the dangers of getting it. She notes that unfortunately the ancient brain hasn’t had time to adjust to the new reality of life, where the rewards of things like high calorie foods are plentiful but obstacles are few to prevent us from eating as much as we want. Volkow’s studies found that many of these tasty foods trigger a burst of the brain chemical dopamine in the brain’s reward circuit, similar to what some drugs produce. Over time, the reward circuit can get less sensitive to the dopamine, needing a constant dopamine surge from fattening food. Volkow’s observations of the brain
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scans of morbidly obese people showed the reward centers to be similar to those of people addicted to cocaine, from which she concluded that problems such as obesity and drug abuse are medical issues, not moral failings. The conclusion which arises from these studies is that, as a society we must take responsibility for the environments we create for young people. Instead of environments with an array of cheap, tempting foods high in calories and low in nutrients, young decision makers must be exposed to food options that strengthen their health and resolve. Instead of stress-filled or empty time that promotes drug use, kids need access to appealing, healthy, and meaningful activities that encourage them to take pride in themselves and their behavior. Arming young people with scientific information about their bodies, brains, and the substances that can affect them will be crucial for their future development. Sources: The National Institute on Drug Abuse Blog Team. “”Science For Starters: A Conversation with Dr. Ruben Baler, Ph.D..”” Drugs & Health Blog. March 2011. Accessed August 08, 2018. https:// teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/sciencestarters-conversation-dr-ruben-baler-phd. The National Institute on Drug Abuse Blog Team. “”Obesity and Drug Addiction: The Brain Connection TedMed Talk by NIDA Director.”” Drugs & Health Blog, January 29, 2015. Accessed August 07, 2018. https:// teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/obesityand-drug-addiction-brain-connectiontedmed-talk-nida-director. The National Institute on Drug Abuse Blog Team. “”Teen Brain, a Work in Progress.”” September 14, 2011. Accessed August 08, 2018. https://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/ post/teen-brain-work-progress. The National Institute on Drug Abuse Blog Team. “”The Science of Risky Teen Behavior.”” October 16, 2017. Accessed August 08, 2018. https://teens.drugabuse. gov/blog/post/science-risky-teenbehavior. Accessed 7 Aug. 2018.
DYSPHAGIA: PROBLEMS MAKING IT HARD TO SWALLOW Submitted by Bonnie Lewis, RN Dependent Care Educator A wide range of diseases can cause swallowing problems, which your doctor may call “dysphagia.” For caregivers, signs to look for include: • Gagging, coughing, or vomiting of food while swallowing • Weight loss • Drooling out of the side of mouth • Little or no saliva • Inside of mouth is red, shiny, glossy, or swollen • Open sores in the mouth • Pain in throat or mid-chest when you swallow • Feeling as if food is “sticking” on its way down • White patches or a coating on the inside of the mouth
Anyone can have a swallowing disorder, but it is more likely in the elderly. As adults age, individuals experience a natural loss of muscle mass and function. A new study finds that as the loss of muscle and function in the throat occurs it becomes more difficult for efficient constriction to occur while swallowing -- which leads to an increased chance of food and liquids being left over in the throat (and increased risk of choking). The study, published in Dysphagia by Sonja M. Molfenter (assistant professor of communicative sciences and disorders at New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development) explains why 15 percent of seniors’ experience dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing. Among other health issues, swallowing difficulties can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, and pneumonia from food and drinks being misdirected into the lungs. Swallowing difficulties can also have
a financial impact. Other studies have demonstrated that when patients with dysphagia are admitted to the hospital, they normally experience a 40 percent longer length-of-stay than those without dysphagia -- estimated to cost $547,000,000 per year. Molfenter noted that dysphagia in older adults is particularly relevant as the proportion of seniors in the United States is projected to increase to over 20 percent by 2030. “Dysphagia has serious consequences for health and quality of life,” said Molfenter, the study’s lead author. “This research establishes the need for exercise programs for older adults that target throat muscles just like those that target the muscles of the arms, legs and other parts of the human body.” Dysphagia may occur because of these conditions: • Nervous system disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease and cerebral palsy • Problems with your esophagus, including esophagus spasms, infections or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) • Head or spinal cord injury • Cancer of the head, neck, or esophagus (including side effects of chemo or radiation)
Current treatments include medicines, speech and language therapy, and possibly surgery. In very serious cases, people will require the insertion of a feeding tube. The American Cancer Society provides these suggestions for anyone with dysphagia: • Eat bland foods that are soft and smooth but high in calories and protein • Take small bites, and swallow each bite completely before taking another. • Use a straw for liquids and soft foods.
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• Try thicker liquids because they’re easier to swallow than thin liquids. • Mash or puree foods so that they’re as soft as baby food. You might need to add liquids to dry foods before blending. • Refrigerate food (the cold helps numb pain) or serve cool or lukewarm. • Frequent small meals and snacks may be easier to manage. • Crush pills or tablets and mix in juice, applesauce, jelly, or pudding. (Check with your nurse or pharmacist first, because some pills can be dangerous if crushed or broken. Others react badly with certain foods or must be taken on an empty stomach.) • Avoid alcohol and hot, spicy foods or liquids. • Avoid acidic foods, such as citrus fruits and drinks and fizzy soft drinks. • Avoid hard, dry foods such as crackers, pretzels, nuts, and chips. • Sit upright to eat and drink, and stay that way for a few minutes after meals. • If pain is a problem, use a numbing gel or pain reliever, such as viscous lidocaine (by prescription) or ask about taking pain medicine before eating. • Ask about seeing a speech-language pathologist or swallowing therapist. Sources: New York University. “Aging can make it more difficult to swallow.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 26 July 2018. www.sciencedaily.com/ releases/2018/07/180726160902.htm New York University. “Aging can make it more difficult to swallow.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 26 July 2018. https:// medlineplus.gov/swallowingdisorders. html New York University. “Aging can make it more difficult to swallow.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 26 July 2018. https://www. cancer.org/treatment/treatments-andside-effects/physical-side-effects/eatingproblems/swallowing-problems.html New York University. “Aging can make it more difficult to swallow.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 26 July 2018. https:// visualsonline.cancer.gov/details. cfm?imageid=9254
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Great Grub & Gardener Love
Join the crowd for Cornell’s famous barbeque chicken and farm fresh sides al fresco at the White Sulphur Springs Fireman’s Park and help us celebrate our dedicated Master Gardener Volunteers. Enjoy live Americana music by Little Sparrow, 50/50, and more! Take out or sit down with us and bid on homemade, homegrown auction items both live and silent this year. Tickets only $20. Get yours today!