Warren County Connection - January 2020

Warren County Connection A Publication of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County

January 2020

Setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals for the New Year As the new year approaches, it’s time to start thinking about your goals for 2020. Do you want to eat healthier foods? Make more nutritious meals at home? Lose weight?

You’ll find more success achieving your aims if your goals are S.M.A.R.T. S.M.A.R.T. goals are specific, lose one pound in two weeks, walk measureable, attainable, realistic and two miles by March, or have a vegetime-based. What’s that mean? table with every meal by February.

By having a timeline, it is easier to Specific: Make your goals concrete. hold yourself accountable.

Describe them in as much detail as possible. Develop a goal you can de- If you use these guidelines while crescribe with the Five Ws: Who, what, ating your goals, you’ll find your sucwhen, where and why. cesses will be easier to achieve. Let’s say you want to lose weight and exMeasurable: Be sure that there’s a ercise more in 2020. That’s great! way to measure your progress: keep But how would those simple goals track of the distances you’ve walked, become S.M.A.R.T. goals? the pounds you’ve lost or the number of healthy meals you’ve eaten.

Original goals: “I will lose weight. I will exercise more.”

Attainable: Your goal should be something you can reasonably acS.M.A.R.T. goals: “I will lose half a complish within a period of time. pound per week by increasing physiAs you develop goals, think small at cal activity. I will walk around the first. As your successes pile up, your block three times a week.” goals can grow.

Weight Loss Tips Realistic: Develop a goal that you Here are some tips to keep in mind can accomplish based on your abili- when trying to lose weight in 2020: ties and available resources.  Slow and steady wins the race: Aim for losing between .5 and 1 Time-based: Your goal should have pound per week. a time frame. Maybe you want to (Continued on page 11)

In this issue: Kalanchoe

3

Where Do Bugs Go in the Winter

4

Amaryllis Thrives On Tough Love

5

Stress, Maleness Linked to Urinary Tract Disorders in Cats

6

Tax Scams

7

Helping Children To Learn Self-Control

8

Fresh Produce Earns “Halo Effect” Under New GMO-Labeling Laws

10

New Year, New You!

11

Special points of interest: 

Calendar of Events



Please support our advertisers

Warren County Connection

Page 2

Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Warren County 377 Schroon River Road Warrensburg, NY 12885

Phone: (518) 623-3291 or (518) 668-4881 Fax: (518) 668-4912

Visit Our Web Site: www.cce.cornell.edu/warren

Who We Are Nation-wide, thousands of people in each state tap into their state’s land-grant university research and know-how to make sound confident decisions concerning family, home, business, finances, and the future. In New York State, the land-grant university is Cornell University.

The Cornell Cooperative Extension network brings you the expertise of Cornell University, other land-grant universities across the country and locally-based Extension Educators, volunteers, and other experts through such programs as: horticulture, youth and families, leadership, environment, food, nutrition & health, home environment, and financial management.

Staff Dr. James Seeley, Executive Director John Bowe, 4-H Team Coordinator Dan Carusone, 4-H Community Educator Marybeth Mitcham, Nutrition, Food Safety, and Healthy Living Educator Roxanne Westcott, Parent Educator/Energy Educator Anne Mills, Farm to School Coordinator Jessica Holmes, Master Gardener Coordinator Sharon Bellamy, Finance Manager Amy Sabattis, Public Relations/Publications Manager Michele Baker, Administrative Assistant Chris Dittus, Administrative Assistant Rand Fosdick, Maintenance

Board of Directors

William Mason - President Laura Conway- Vice President Julie Pearl - Secretary William Hamelin - Treasurer Aimee Azaert Daniel Bruno Peter Benoit Ed Griesmer Jim Kneeshaw David Strainer Michael White

Extension Service Committee Chair - Andrea Hogan Douglas Beaty Jack Diamond Ben Driscoll If you have special needs as addressed by Cynthia Hyde the Americans ith Disabilities Act and need William Loeb assistance with attending these workshops, Brad Magowan please make your needs known by the Eugene Merlino registration deadline. Reasonable efforts Michael Wild will be made for accommodations.

Warren County Connection

CALENDAR Please visit our website for more events www.cce.cornell.edu/warren 1/2/2020 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM - Introduction to Winter Growing Webinar - Join vegetable specialists Elisabeth Hodgdon (ENYCHP) and Judson Reid (Cornell Vegetable Program) for a webinar on winter vegetable production in high tunnels. The following topics will be covered: Soil fertility and High Tunnel Preparation; Crops; Planting Dates; Pest and Disease Management; & Marketing Considerations.

An open question and answer session will follow the webinar. Register online - https://enych.cce.cornell.edu/event_preregistration.php? event=1298.

1/5/2020 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM - Intermediate Archery - Participants will continue to build on the skills of basic archery by practicing, stance, anchor point, and release. Youth must be 8 years of age, be an enrolled 4-H member, and have completed basic archery to participate in the program. Fee is $5. Registration is required and can be accomplished by calling Michele Baker at 518-668-4881. Location: Dunham’s Bay Fish & Game Club, 2080 Ridge Road, Queensbury, NY 12804.

1/7/2020 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM - Intergenerational Snowshoe - Stay active, healthy, and connected during the winter months, and join us as we enjoy the beautiful outdoors and get some exercise at the same time. This intergenerational snowshoe opportunity is open to individuals of all ages, and will also include discussion about dietary and hydration needs during outdoor winter activities. For more information about this program please contact Marybeth Mitcham at mem467@cornell.edu or 518-668-4881. Location: Stony Creek Nature Trails, Stony Creek, NY 12878.

1/9/2020 - Food Smart Families - Each month, the second grade class at Big Cross Street School will learn how to be healthy, through learning about nutrition, engaging in physical activity, and just having fun! For more information about this program please contact Marybeth Mitcham at mem467@cornell.edu or 518-668-4881. Location: Big Cross Street School, 15 Big Cross Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801.

1/14 & 1/16 2020 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM - Parenting Apart - The childfocused program addresses the needs of families in transition after the separation, divorce or break up of a relationship with children involved. For more info. or to register, contact Roxanne Westcott at rmw38@cornell.edu or 518-668-4881. Location: TBA Queensbury/ Lake George.

1/30/2020 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM - Making Ends Meeting - For more information about this program contact Roxanne Westcott at rmw38@cornell.edu or 518-668-4881. Location: Warren County Head Start, 11 Pearl Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801.

1/30/2020 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM - 4-H Adirondack Guide Orientation This program is a combination of outdoor education skills like camping, canoeing, map & compass and knot tying with environmental education like plant, wildlife, fish, and bird identification. Youth 12 and over participate in 2-3 camping trips, which are either one night or two night trips to Adirondack campgrounds or parks. Registration is required by calling Michele Baker at 518-668-4881 or email mlb222@cornell.edu. Cornell Cooperative Extension Warren County 377 Schroon River Road, Warrensburg, NY 12885.

Warren County Connection

Kalanchoe

Page 3

drier soils. So, if in doubt, don’t water them. This is the main means plants die indoors prematurely. Watering once a week, often less, will be sufficient. Make sure if they’re in a foil wrapper or saucer that water can drain, or empty any after watering the plant. These thick leaves also make them adaptable to the normally dry air indoors during winter.

If you’re keeping your plants and they need repotting, don’t use a pot much larger than the current one, and use a well-draining potting mix such as for cacti and succulents—one often containing perlite (white granules) or sand. Clay pots help keep the soil drier than plastic ones. Just make sure pots have drainage holes.

By Dr. Leonard Perry, Horticulture Professor Emeritus University of Vermont Kalanchoe is a popular flowering indoor plant used year round, but particularly found for sale during the Holiday seasons. This succulent plant (thick, fleshy leaves) has bright flowers, coming in various colors, and with the proper care lasts for weeks.

Kalanchoe (pronounced kal-AN-cho or KAL-an-CO-ee) come with either red, pink, orange, yellow, or white flowers. Often you can enjoy their blooms for a couple months or more. While they naturally bloom in spring, growers “force” them to bloom any time of year.

While most discard plants after bloom, you can try to rebloom them again. Grow them normally then, about 8 weeks or so before you want them to bloom, give them “short days”. This photoperiod treatment is actually long nights—no light for 14 hours daily, such as in a dark closet between 6pm and 8am. During this time, reduce watering. After about six weeks you should see buds forming, at which time leave them in full light daily and water normally.

Kalanchoe like bright light, such as a south-facing window. Leggy plants mean they aren’t getting enough light. Also, they like warm temperatures as in most homes, and should not be exposed to cold below about 50 degrees (F). While the plant is growing, and in particular blooming, fertilize with product of your choice according to label directions. They don’t need much fertilizer, so you may want to use half strength, or fertilize less often than recommended.

Their succulent leaves that are designed not to dry out readily, and to store water, give the clue that they prefer

Other than root rots from overwatering, the only problems you may encounter on kalanchoe are white mealybugs and brown scale insects. If you’re discarding the plant after bloom, these won’t be a concern. But if keeping the plant, check it weekly (when you’re watering is a good time) for such pests. If found, merely wipe off with a damp cloth or swab and rubbing alcohol. Wiping leaves periodically will keep the dust off too.

Kalanchoe is in the Crassula family, with the well-known Jade Plant a close relative. While there are 125 or more species of kalanchoe, some more upright and some hanging and many just grown for attractive leaves, most flowering selections you’ll find for sale are of one species (blossfeldiana). This originally came from Madagascar, introduced in 1932 by the German botanist Robert Blossfeld. It, and its selections, range from six to 12 inches tall.

One variation in particular that you may find is the Calandiva series. The small, tubular flowers have 32 petals instead of 4, so resemble a miniature rose. This mutant was first found by a Swedish grower in 1998 among purple flowers, and then was first introduced to the public in 2002. This series includes a wide range of colors, including salmon, lavender, and burgundy.

Keep them out of reach of dogs and cats as, if ingested, they may make pets sick.

To be overcome by the fragrance of flowers is a delectable form of defeat. ~Beverly Nichols Flowers don't worry about how they're going to bloom.

They just open up and turn toward the light and that makes them beautiful. ~Jim Carrey

Page 4

Warren County Connection

Where Do Bugs Go in the Winter?

By Don Janssen, Extension Educator, Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

During winter, some insects like ladybugs seek shelter in homes

Where do the bugs of summer go when the weather turns cold? And how do they reappear the next year when the temperatures warm?

Of course, the insects don't just 'disappear' and magically reappear the next year. Each species has developed some way of dealing with the cold weather.

One insect follows the example of the migratory birds and heads south. The monarch butterflies from east of the Rocky Mountains eventually find their way to central Mexico, where they overwinter in the mountain highlands near Mexico City. One or two areas are protected as monarch refuges. Monarchs from west of the Rockies travel to a spot near Santa Barbara, California. These are true migrating insects because the same individuals that go south for the winter come back the next year.

The strategy of some other insects, such as leafhoppers and milkweed bugs, for dealing with winter is to head south as the winter cools. They reinvade the next year, but in this case, it's different individuals that return.

Most insects stay here year round. They employ a variety of tactics for survival. One is simply to move in with humans. Insects such as ladybird beetles (ladybugs), cluster flies, elm leaf beetles and boxelder bugs overwinter as adults in wall voids, attics and other out-of-the-way places in homes and other structures.

Before humans started building insect hotels, they probably found shelter in hollow logs and other natural cavities.

Many insects spend the winter in immature stages - as eggs (the bagworm is a good example), as larvae under-

ground (cicadas and June beetles) or as pupae (the large silkworm moths such as the Cecropia).

Yellowjacket and paper wasp queens, some mosquitoes and the mourning cloak butterfly are other examples of local insects that overwinter as adults. Like the ladybird beetle, they seek out a protected spot and become dormant until warm weather activates them again.

Whatever insect you're looking at or whatever its winter survival may be, the pattern of development doesn't leave much room for variation. For example, moths that form cocoons in the fall must have that winter cold period. If you bring them indoors and keep them warm, chances are that they won't complete their development. Or, if they do hatch, it will be well in advance of the proper time so they have no hope of surviving outdoors.

Though some insects may become unseasonably active during an extended midwinter thaw, the true hibernators and the majority of those that rest in the adult stage will not be tricked to become active early. Of course, that's not much consolation to the homeowner who has to deal with a midwinter wasp buzzing the family or an "invasion" of slow, stupid flies bumbling into windows and walls during a midwinter mild spell.

The final group of insects consists of those that remain active all year round. These are primarily aquatic insects that spend the winter as immatures in rapidly flowing streams that don't freeze all the way to the bottom.

Some insects have body fluids that act like antifreeze.

Glycol-like substances that resist freezing protect the insect from being torn apart internally by ice crystals.

With or without antifreeze, most insects simply can not function at temperatures below 40 degrees F. Because they rely entirely on the world around them for the warmth they need to function, they've developed this wide range of techniques for surviving cold weather and assuring the survival of their species.

Of winter’s lifeless world each tree Now seems a perfect part; Yet each one holds summer’s secret Deep down within its heart. ~Charles G. Stater

Warren County Connection

Page 5

Amaryllis Thrives On Tough Love

By Inge Eley, Cornell Cooperative Extension Rensselaer County Master Gardener The one plant, besides poinsettia, that’s often given as a Christmas gift is amaryllis. Many people enjoy the Christmas bloom and then throw the plant out. Many years ago I found such a discarded plant in the snow of a neighbor’s sidewalk. Fortunately, amaryllis is a bulb and thus not likely to freeze after a short exposure to cold. So, of course being the scrounge that I am, I brought the amaryllis home. The next summer I divided the bulb into two.

The next question was, “How do I get it to bloom in subsequent years?” I decided once I had two plants, I would “rest” one and allow the other to carry on photosynthesis. The one I rested went into the cellar with no light and no water from November until February. Thinking like a plant, I thought that my life was threatened without light and water. Of course the first thing that any life wants to do when life is threatened is to make sure its genetic material (DNA) is passed on. So, for plants, producing flowers and thus seeds is the answer. Sure enough, as soon as my “cellar “ plant got light and water, it formed a flower. Only after the flower had formed did my amaryllis produce leaves.

By the time I moved from Cohoes I had more than twenty amaryllises. My first one was red, but I ended up with red, white and white with red stripes in the center of each petal. Now, I have to confess that resting the bulbs did not result in one hundred percent flowering, but it certainly produced flowers in more than seventy-five percent of the plants. In resting the plants, you may leave the bulb in the flower pot or you may take it out of soil and store it as a dry bulb. Since I am lazy, I left the plants in the flower pots. In writing this article, I came to realize that most, if not all bulbs, need a rest. Think of your outdoor plants: tulips and lilies. Even down south my son lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana -his outdoor amaryllises die back in the winter only to come up with that initial flower in the spring.

Can you propagate amaryllis from seed? Absolutely! I only got small plants during the first year. I do not remember how long it took before I got flowering offspring, but it certainly is not an undertaking for people in a hurry.

So, to sum it up, I would suggest propagating amaryllis asexually, i.e., by dividing the bulb, I would suggest feeding the plant once leaves are forming and I would cer-

Photo by Linda Ford, Rensselaer County Master Gardener

tainly say you should rest the bulb. Feeding the plant?

What kind of fertilizer? Most fertilizers have three numbers. For example a common garden fertilizer is 5-10-5.

The first number is the amount of nitrogen. Nitrogen promotes green growth, so for example, a good lawn fertilizer is high in nitrogen. For amaryllis you might want something like 10-5-5. The time you are fertilizing amaryllis is when the leaves are growing and the leaves carry on photosynthesis for the plant. The second number in a fertilizer (e.g. 5-10-5) represents phosphorus. This promotes flowering, thus you want something high in phosphorus if you want to produce something like tomatoes.

You do not need a fertilizer high in phosphorus for amaryllis because the “rest” causes the plant to bloom. The third number in a fertilizer represents potassium and that promotes the formation of strong stems.

So, asparagus might want a 5-5-10 fertilizer. Amaryllis does not need fertilizer high in potassium. Its stem is the bulb and the bulb is only enhanced with the passage of time. So this year, if you get an amaryllis, don’t throw it out. Keep it to bloom in future years!

Page 6

Warren County Connection

Stress, Maleness Linked to Urinary Tract Disorders in Cats

disease. By the same token, the problem can’t be treated with antibiotics or other medications. Luckily, there are effective strategies for reducing the number of flare ups in a cat.

“Treatment involves behavioral enrichment, pheromonal therapy to decrease stress, dietary modification, and practical household measures, such as placing several litter boxes throughout the house,” explains Dr. Gal. In addition, pain therapy during flare ups will help keep the cat comfortable.

Don’t ignore urinary problems in cats Urinary tract disorders are relatively common in cats, according to Dr. Arnon Gal, a veterinarian who specializes in small animal internal medicine at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana. But unlike urinary tract infections in people, in cats these problems are not usually caused by bacteria.

“Generally speaking, infectious agents such as bacteria are infrequent in urinary tract disease in cats,” says Dr. Gal. Instead, the problem in cats is usually stress induced.

Inflammation of the Bladder Commonly referred to as a urinary tract infection, this problem in cats is more properly called “idiopathic cystitis” in veterinary terminology. “Cystitis” just means inflammation of the bladder, while “idiopathic” means the problem arises spontaneously and without a known cause.

Inflammation is a useful aspect of the body’s immune response, serving to increase blood flow to an injured or infected area to facilitate healing. In the case of cats with urinary tract disease, however, sensory neurons trigger the inflammation of the bladder not because of infection or injury but in response to stress.

Signs and Treatment According to Dr. Gal, clinical signs of a urinary tract disorder in cats include, but are not limited to, frequent urination, straining to urinate, and the presence of blood in the urine. Male cats are more likely than female cats to have this problem.

Since idiopathic cystitis isn’t caused by an infectious agent, other animals in the household can’t catch the

Behavioral enrichment can include things as simple as more toys that allow for the cat to engage in “hunting” activities. This can be beneficial for your cat’s health and can actually prevent idiopathic cystitis. Pheromonal therapy includes the addition of pheromones to a cat’s environment. These can come in various forms, such as wipes, sprays, and plug-in diffusers, and are used to relieve stress in cats. Dietary modifications would help by diluting the urine. Ways to do this would be to feed wet food, or by adding more water bowls throughout the house.

Litter Box Recommendations “Because stress plays an important role in the origin of this problem, it is important to reduce stresses related to the litter box as much as possible,” says Dr. Gal. “Avoid placing litter boxes in high traffic areas or where there is a lot of noise.”

Dr. Gal also warns against litter with scents. “The scent of the litter in the box may stress some cats, so choose litter without a scent.”

Stress often arises because a cat feels intimidated by another cat in the house, according to Dr. Gal. When there are multiple cats in the household, litter boxes should be placed throughout the house to allow the affected cat to eliminate in an area where the aggressor cat isn’t present.

Veterinarians recommend that the number of litter boxes in the house is one greater than the number of cats.

Don’t Ignore the Problem It’s important to address urinary tract disorders in cats because of the other health consequences of stressrelated disease. If the problem is ignored in male cats, due to their anatomy a potentially lethal blockage can occur. Because idiopathic cystitis can cause crystals, the narrow urethra of male cats can get blocked by crystals being lodged in the tube. If this problem is not ad(Continued on page 7)

Page 7

Warren County Connection

dressed, it can become deadly to the cat.

Taxpayer Scams

(Continued on page 7)

“This is a multi-systemic disorder in which the urinary system is just one aspect that is affected,” explains Dr. Gal. “These cats have gastrointestinal and behavior problems as well.”

The stress causes numerous problems, so to have a happy, healthy cat, be sure to address possible behavioral or environmental stressors.

If you have any questions or concerns about a possible urinary tract infection in your cat, contact your local veterinarian.

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection is alerting New York taxpayers to be vigilant against scams targeting taxpayers not only during tax season, but also year-round.

While taxpayer scams can take on a variety of forms, the following are examples of scams to look out for:

NEED HELP WITH YOUR TAXES? WE CAN HELP!

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County is offering free tax help to families and individuals whose household income is below $57,000.

Trained IRS volunteers are available to help you prepare your State and Federal taxes at the same time, electronically file your return for free, and offer direct deposit options for faster refunds.

Daytime, evening, and weekend appointments are available. Sorry, we can not process tax returns with stock sales, rental income, or from business owners.

To make an appointment please call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County 1-800-211-5128

Phone calls from individuals posing as officials from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

In most cases, a victim of this scam will be instructed by the caller to promptly submit payment for money owed to the IRS through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. If the victim is hesitant, the scammer may threaten police arrest or license revocation. The scammer may also send bogus IRS e-mails or have others call pretending to be from the DMV or local police. For this scam, the actual phone number of the IRS, DMV and local police may register on the caller ID screen through a technique called “spoofing”.

The caller may already know your name and be able to recite the last four digits of your Social Security Number.

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection warns consumers to be wary of phone calls requesting money or personal information. To prevent falling victim to this type of scam, please take note of the following tips:  Keep in mind that the IRS will typically first initiate contact with a taxpayer concerning a tax issue via mail. The IRS does not request personal or financial information through email and will not ask for credit card numbers over the phone.



Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 if you think you owe taxes or need help with a payment issue.



Hang up the phone immediately if someone claiming (Continued on page 8)

Page 8 (Continued from page 7)

Warren County Connection

Helping Children to Learn Self-Control

to be from the IRS unexpectedly calls and threatens police arrest, deportation or license revocation.



Report anything suspicious to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484 and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Please visit the FTC website at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov and add "IRS Telephone Scam" to the comments of your complaint.



Scam artists fraudulently posing as tax preparers.

Scammers may make false claims on others’ tax returns, or even steal their refunds. They will often attempt to take advantage of those who might not otherwise have to file tax returns, such as the elderly or low-income households. Working with a phony or dishonest tax preparer also poses the threat of identity theft.

If you choose to file your tax return using a tax preparer, take precautions to protect your refund and prevent identity theft by keeping the following tips in mind:  Work only with those whom you have researched thoroughly. Avoid preparers who claim they can obtain larger refunds than other preparers can, as well as those who base their fee on a percentage of your refund.



Make sure your tax preparer is willing to sign your return and provide their IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). The preparer must also provide you with a copy of the return.



Look over your return carefully – you are legally responsible for what’s on it. Similarly, never sign a blank return.



If you suspect a return preparer filed or altered a return without your consent, report it to the IRS by downloading Form 14157 and Form 14157-A on the IRS.gov website. You can order them by mail at 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

To report fraudulent activity by a tax preparer contact the NYS Tax Department’s Office of Professional Responsibility at (518) 530-HELP (option #2) or file a tax preparer complaint online.

For more information regarding scam prevention and mitigation, please contact the New York Department of State, Division of Consumer Protection at (518)-474-8583.

Teaching self-control is one of the most important things that parents can do for their children because these skills are some of the most important for success later in life.

"Wait your turn."

"Keep your hands to yourself."

Whether we realize it or not, many of the instructions we give our children are about self-control. Self-control means being able to resist immediate temptations and avoid acting on impulse in order to achieve more important goals, such as learning or being kind. When children have stronger self-control, they do better in school and get along better with others. By learning self-control, children can make appropriate decisions and respond to stressful situations in ways that result in more positive outcomes. Self-control doesn’t have to mean effortful, teeth-gritting willpower. In fact, that kind of self-restraint is hard to keep up for long—even for adults.

What often works best is helping children learn and use effective strategies for boosting self-control.

Dr. Angela Duckworth, a professor and developmental psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania, says there are three main strategies that children can use to make self-control easier to manage.

1. Change the Situation - One of the simplest and often most effective strategies for self-control is changing the situation to reduce temptation. This is a very powerful self-control strategy because it involves minimal effort.

(Continued on page 9)

Page 9

Warren County Connection (Continued from page 8)

For example, if you are trying to avoid sweets, not having sweets in the house makes it easier to eat healthy foods.

Teaching children this strategy involves helping them think about and choose circumstances that encourage good behavior.

For young children, this could mean sitting on the opposite end of the couch so they won’t be tempted to poke a sibling, or having fewer toys out so cleanup feels more manageable.

For school-age children, this could mean putting away electronic distractions during homework time, setting a timer to get a task done quickly, or figuring out whether they do their homework most efficiently in their bedroom or at the kitchen table.

2. Change Their Thinking - This strategy involves addressing what children pay attention to and also how they interpret situations. Planning and perspective can help in guiding children toward making better choices.

For young children, creating a visual reminder with pictures of their morning routine can help them remember what they need to do next. Also, have them repeat instructions or answer a question such as "what do we need to remember about how to behave at the store?"

Doing this before entering the situation can help children stay focused.

Young children who tend to hit when they get upset may find it useful to cross their arms and give themselves a little hug when they feel angry.

Knowing how and whom to ask for help when they need it is also essential.

School-age children need to know how to handle any teasing they may encounter. Having practiced responses such as “I don't mind?” or “That's not who I am” can help them feel better equipped to deal with teasing without becoming upset or emotional.

Game Time!

Try this fun game to help children learn self-control and get some of those wiggles out!

Freeze Dance

Have a dance party with a group of children and/or family members and tell everyone that when you stop the music, they must hold very still. Try doing the opposite too - Dance to silence and freeze when the music starts!

NEW YORK STATE For older children, asking problem-solving questions such as “What would be a fair solution?”, “What can you do to help her feel better?”, or “How can we prevent this problem?” can encourage thinking that leads to self-control.

3. Change Their Response - Coping when they find themselves in a frustrating, scary, upsetting, or exciting situation tends to be the most difficult type of self-control.

In these heated situations, it is easy for children to lash out, burst into tears, or refuse to cooperate. Having a plan that spells out what to do instead can help them hold onto self-control. Using role-play can help your child practice the plan before it is needed.

Department of Environmental Conservation Saratoga Tree Nursery Tree Seedlings For Conservation Planting To Order Call (January 2 – May 15) (518) 587-1120

Pines Hardwoods Shrubs 2020 Seedling information is available on our website visit us at: www.dec.ny.gov/ animals/9395.html CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/NYSDECsaratogatreenursery

Page 10

Warren County Connection

Fresh produce earns ‘halo effect’ under new GMO-labeling laws

By Blaine Friedlander, Cornell Chronicle

The paper found that when an unlabeled apple was presented first, the initial consumer demand – willingness to purchase – was 65.2%. But if the unlabeled apple was presented after participants saw an apple with a GM label, the demand for the unlabeled apple jumped to 77.7%.

If a consumer was presented first with an apple labeled “non-genetically modified,” the shopper’s preference for it was 67.2% – statistically even with the shopper initial preference for an unlabeled apple. “In other words, the ‘non-GM’ label is not stigmatizing the unlabeled product,” Gómez said.

Consumers were more willing to buy unlabeled produce after being shown food tagged as “genetically modified” in a new Cornell study that comes two months before a new federal food-labeling law goes into effect.

The research, “Signaling Impacts of GMO Labeling on Fruit and Vegetable Demand,” published online Oct. 30 in the journal PLOS One. The study comes as food marketers prepare for a new federal law requiring genetically modified organism disclosure labels on food products beginning Jan. 1, 2020.

“We wanted to learn from consumers what will happen to conventional products when the labeling goes into effect and we start seeing ‘GM’ and ‘non-GM’ labeled produce at the market,” said co-author Miguel Gómez, associate professor at Cornell’s Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management. “Will shoppers be willing to purchase a product when the new labels are introduced?”

Consumer aversion toward genetically modified food has inspired mandatory labeling proposals and laws at the state and federal levels, according to the paper. On Jan. 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin implementing the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, which requires food marketers to disclose the use of GMOs in food and food products.

In the study, the Cornell researchers recruited 1,300 consumers, who were shown GM, non-GM and unlabeled opportunities – in random sequences – to purchase apples, as well as other fruits and vegetables.

The findings contradicted the experience of dairy farmers in the mid-1990s, who began using recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) – a growth hormone for cows – to increase milk production. Consumers soon demanded milk free from rBST, so dairies began to label milk as rBST -free on cartons. In doing so, it stigmatized regular milk as shoppers assumed that it contained rBST. “Since milk was labeled as rBST free, sales of non-labeled milk declined,” Gómez said.

“We were pretty surprised when we first saw this paper’s results,” said co-author Adeline Yeh, a Cornell doctoral student in applied economics. “Our original hypothesis was that having a non-GM label would have a stigmatizing effect on the [unlabeled] fresh product. The results contradicted our original hypothesis. Instead, we found that the GMO label had a halo effect on the unlabeled product.”

Joining Gómez and Yeh as a co-author on the paper was Harry Kaiser, the Gellert Family Professor of Applied Economics and Management and associate dean of academic affairs for the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.

Gómez and Kaiser also are fellows at the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability.

Warren County Connection Warren County Connection

Page 11

New Year, New You!

(Continued from page 1)

   

By Michelle Walker, Cornell Cooperative Extension Intern Increase physical activity gradually: Start with a few days per week and slowly increase to minimize risk of injury.

Drink more water: By drinking more water, you will feel fuller between meals, stay hydrated — and your body will thank you!

Start small: Aim to make one or two small changes each week rather than drastically changing your lifestyle all at once.

Eat more fruits and vegetables: Aim for filling half your plate with fruits and vegetables at each meal.

Have a fruit or vegetable when you snack. Incorporate more fruits and veggies gradually.

Having a smoothie is an easy way to sneak more vegetables to your diet. The flavor of the fruit will mask the flavor of any vegetables you add! Try this smoothie recipe as a quick breakfast or snack. This recipe makes four servings, so share with a friend or save it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours!

Mango Banana Smoothie Serves 4 Ingredients 1 medium banana 1 cup mango, fresh or frozen 2 cups 1% milk 1 or 2 handfuls spinach Directions 1. Wash spinach and pat dry with a paper towel.

2. Chop mango (if using fresh fruit).

3. Peel and place chunks of banana, chopped mango, spinach, and milk into a blender.

4. Blend on highest speed until smooth.

5. Serve immediately.

Source: University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension

New year, new you! This time saving, super simple, and nutritious recipe will help you stick to those New Year’s resolutions. The chicken is a great source of protein. The black beans, corn, and brown rice provide excellent fiber, vitamins and minerals. Protein and fiber will keep you feeling full which has been shown to help with weight loss goals. Salsa adds great flavor to spice up the dish.

Healthy meals don’t have to be boring and flavorless. This crockpot meal frees up time for working individuals, parents with lots of school activities, and anyone who just wants a hot meal after a cold Warren County winter day.

If you don’t have a crockpot, no worries, oven directions are just as simple!

Colorado Chicken Servings: 4 Ingredients 1 15 oz. can black beans 8 oz. frozen corn (1/2 16 oz. bag frozen corn) 1 16 oz. jar of salsa – mild, medium, or hot 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds) 2 cups cooked brown rice 1. If using oven, preheat to 400*F 2. Wash hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds.

3. Rinse black beans in a strainer under cool water until water runs clear, set aside allow to drain.

4. Add chicken breast to crock pot or oven safe baking dish with tongs and discard any chicken packaging.

5. Wash hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds.

6. Add black beans, frozen corn, and salsa over the chicken.

7. Cook.  Crockpot: set to high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours until the internal of the thickest part of the breast’s temperature is 165*F.  Oven: cover dish with aluminum foil, bake chicken for 50-60 minutes or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the breast is 165*F. 8. 20 minutes before chicken is done, prepare brown rice according to package directions.

9. Serve.

10. For leftovers cool leftovers to under 70*F within 2 hours and under 40*F within the next 4 hours for proper food safety.

Cornell Cooperative Extension 377 Schroon River Road Warrensburg, NY 12885 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

IF THERE IS A CHECK IN THIS BOX , THIS IS THE LAST ISSUE OF THE WARREN COUNTY CONNECTION YOU WILL BE RECEIVING. To renew your subscription clip the form below and send to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County.

Warren County Connection

THANK YOU INTERNATIONAL PAPER!!

"Paper for this newsletter was donated by International Paper, proudly produced at the Ticonderoga, New York Mill from trees harvested in working Adirondack forests that are managed responsibly in accordance with the principles of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)." “International Paper is proud to join almost 60 manufacturers and importers supporting the Paper & Packaging – How Life Unfolds™ campaign.”

“Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Warren County provides equal program and employment opportunities.”

“The information given herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Cornell Cooperative Extension is implied.”

The Cornell Cooperative Extension educational system enables people to improve their lives and communities through partnerships that put experience and research knowledge to work.

"Cornell Cooperative Extension actively supports equal educational and employment opportunities. No person shall be denied admission to any educational program or activity, or be denied employment on the basis of any legally prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, color, religion, political beliefs, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital or family status, veteran status, or disability. Cornell Cooperative Extension is committed to the maintenance of affirmative action programs that will assure the continuation of such equality of opportunity."

Just $5.00 per year will give you one full-year subscription to the “Warren County Connection,” mail this coupon to : Cornell Cooperative Extension ☺ Be sure to include your fee of $5.00 to cover the cost of mailing.

Name______________________ Address____________________ __________________________ Zip Code___________________ OR To get this publication FREE email als77@cornell.edu and you will be added to our E-Edition

We’re on the Web! http://counties.cce.cornell.edu/warren/ & Facebook - Look for CCE Warren