Warren County Connection July 2022

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

July 2022

SNAGS: DEAD TREES SUPPORT LIFE Dr. Leonard Perry, Horticulture Professor University of Vermont When you hear the word “snag”, you may think of a run in a stocking or pulled thread in a fabric. In the natural and landscape contexts a snag (sometimes called “wildlife tree”) is a dead or dying tree that, hard to believe, can support more life than a living tree. Think of them as wildlife condos. How is this possible? The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife provides some answers and many details (wdfw.wa.gov/living/snags/).

is one of these “excavators” that, when at work, send the bark chips flying. It is searching for carpenter ants, termites, and other insects in the heartwood of a tree.

Closer to the surface, the inner bark is where other woodpecker species, flickers, and sapsuckers find larval and pupal stages of insects. This is important, especially in winter. These birds use the cavities, also, for nesting and winter protection. Raccoons and black bears may peel the inner bark layer, also looking for insects. The outer bark at the Birds and small mammals use snags for surface is where nuthatches and nests, food storage, foraging for inwoodpeckers look for bark beetles, sects (a staple of the diet for many spiders, and ants. If the bark is parbirds), roosting, and merely perchtially detached, this space provides ing. Hollow trunks, cavities and dead shelter for bats and some butterflies. branches, even on living trees, provide Small cavities are used by house similar “ecosystem resources”. Often wrens, bluebirds, and black-capped wonder where birds go during storms chickadees for nesting. and on cold winter nights? Many retreat to snags. If such trees are near Snags are used for more than food waterways, when they drop limbs or and cover. If you hear a loud tapping fall into the water, these enhance in such dead trees, this resonating aquatic habitats. Experts recommend sound is from woodpeckers announcat least three dead trees per acre to ing their presence during mating. support wildlife. Nationwide, snags Large snags—those 12-inches wide or support over 1000 species of wildlife more and over 15 feet tall—make (www.nwf.org). desirable perches for hunting bird species such as hawks, owls, and even A tree may already have large cavieagles. Many birds, such as swallows ties from rots or other damage, or and mourning doves, use their woodpeckers searching for insects to branches for perches. Tanagers and eat may enlarge the size of caviflycatchers use them for song perchties. The large pileated woodpecker (Continued on page 3)

In this issue: Gardening With Ferns

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Seed Saving Basics

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10 Easy Steps to Prevent Common Garden Diseases

6

Land of the Free, Home of 7 the Not-So-Brave Dogs What To Know About Cryptocurrency and Scams

8

Preserving Your Food Dollars

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Special points of interest: •

Calendar of Events

Warren County Connection

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

Warren County Connection

CALENDAR

Please visit our website for more events www.cce.cornell.edu/warren

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

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, Associate Team Leader Dan Carusone, 4-H Natural Resources Coordinator Dr. Marybeth Mitcham, Nutrition, Food Safety & Healthy Living Educator Roxanne Westcott, 4-H Family Living Educator Rebecca Devaney, Community Horticulture Coordinator Sharon Bellamy, Finance Manager Amy Sabattis, Public Relations/Publications Manager Michele Baker, Administrative Assistant Chris Dittus, Administrative Assistant

Board of Directors David Strainer - President Jim Kneeshaw - Vice President Dan Bruno - Secretary William Hamelin - Treasurer Aimee Azaert Lisa Earl Maureen Folk Ed Griesmer David Little Cynthia Muratori

Extension Service Committee Chair - Ben Driscoll Daniel Bruno Andrea Hogan Brad Magowan Debra Runyon

7/11/2022 - 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Supporting Healthy Families Program - This five-week program combines tried-and-true basic parenting tools with healthy lifestyle skills. It is a unique opportunity for parents/caregivers to learn how to foster healthy relationships while learning both about discipline and nutrition. Pre-registration is requested by July 7th. Contact Roxanne Westcott at 518-668-4881 or rmw38@cornell.edu. Cornell Cooperative Extension (Essex, Warren & Washington) Via Zoom

If you have special needs as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act and need assistance with attending these workshops, please make your needs known by the registration deadline. Reasonable efforts will be made for accommodations.

Please join us on Saturday, August 27, 2022 for the 13th Annual Cornell Cooperative Extension Golf Tournament.

All proceeds from this benefit will be used to help financially support Cornell Cooperative Extension’s educational programs.

SIGN UP EARLY AND SAVE!!

PREPAY BY AUGUST 19th $95.00 PER PERSON WE ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS, CASH OR CHECK. PAY ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT COST PER PERSON $100.00.

Includes: green fees, cart, barbecue, goodie bag, awards and prizes.

The tournament will begin with registration at 9:00 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 10 a.m. The tournament format is a 4-person scramble. Individual players are welcome and will be placed within a team. Pre-registration for tournament and barbecue is required by contacting Amy Sabattis at 518-623-3291 or 668-4881.

Warren County Connection (Continued from page 1)

es. Mice, squirrels, woodpeckers, and blue jays may use them to store food gathered elsewhere.

When a tree is dying, or recently dead, it forms a “hard snag”. This is one that has the inner bark and heartwood still firm, so is most attractive to the woodpeckers and other “cavity excavators” both for food and nesting.

Eventually this inner wood rots from the action of fungi, branches fall off, and tops fall off making the tree shorter. The dead tree is now a “soft snag”, providing a different selection of insects for other birds and wildlife. Even when the soft snag falls to the ground, this provides habitat and a food source for small mammals.

The best stage for those nesting in cavities is in between—the outer sapwood is still firm, providing protection, while the inner heartwood has softened, providing easy excavation for a nesting cavity. Some of the strong excavators, like the pileated woodpecker or flicker, use living trees if the inner heartwood has begun to decay. Their large cavities in such trees are a good indication of this condition.

While most tree species can be used by birds as snags, softwood species such as firs may be better for food while hardwoods such as maples may be better for nesting. Large conifers such as firs, cedar, larch, pine, and spruce tend to rot more slowly than large deciduous (those that lose their leaves in winter) trees such as oaks, maples, and cottonwoods. Dead trees as small as six feet tall, with trunks only 4-inches across such as birches, are used by black-capped chickadees and other small birds.

If you have room in your landscape, plan for at least one snag, even if a small one. Keep an old or damaged tree, as well as tall shrubs near it to provide wildlife habitat. If in a developed neighborhood or setting, snags are best located away from high traffic or high visibility areas (or passersby may wonder why you’re leaving dead trees). A potential snag is a tree that has splits in the trunk, dead main limbs, fungi on the outer bark, or evidence already of woodpecker activity. Snags can be relocated from elsewhere but, since these are quite heavy and so usually require a professional and crane, they’re best left or used on the ground as a log.

Living trees that are good candidates to make into a snag are those located away from high traffic and visibility, as with dead trees. “Hazard trees”, or those that pose safety concerns from weak forked trunks or disease, make good snags. If you have a tree providing shade where

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you want sun, consider making it into a snag. Other snag candidates are trees that need thinning out of a clump, or those with invasive roots threatening paved surfaces or underground water and sewer systems.

To make a living tree into a snag, the easiest way is to “girdle” the trunk. This is similar to what some gardeners often do unintentionally with weed trimmers, cutting off the flow of water and nutrients between tops and roots. Do this as high as possible, removing a four-inch wide strip of inner and outer bark. You can do this to just a branch if you want to have it die and be used as a perch. Eventually the branch will fall off, which may leave a cavity for birds.

If you have a snag, you can make roosting slits for bats and some songbirds. Make a slit at least eight inches deep, an inch or more wide, and angled upward. The higher slits are (15 feet or so for bats is good), the more they’ll be used. Make these on the south side of a snag if for bats, which like the warmth.

If you have a snag, or even living tree you’re turning into one, you can create cavities for desirable birds. To begin the cavity and decay process, drill a one-inch hole (use one of those drill bits you find in hardware stores for holes in doors for locksets) slightly downward into the heartwood of the tree. Do this where water might collect, such as below where a branch joins the trunk. Also you can remove a branch that is four inches or wider across, leaving a bit of jagged stub (unlike if you were pruning the tree properly for good health) to rot.

If you cut, or have, a large cavity in a trunk that you want to prevent aggressive, non-native birds such as European starlings and house sparrows from taking over, make it smaller. Use a piece of wood, leather, or metal to cover the cavity, with a hole one and one-eighths (1-1/8) inches wide.

So if you have a dead or dying tree, consider if it can be left to support wildlife. Dying or dead trees often can remain intact for many years. If dying branches or trunks pose a safety concern if they fall, or the tree is in a prominent location and really an eyesore visually, then a tree may need taken down by a certified arborist. If you’re unsure about the safety of a tree, consult with an arborist or a town tree warden. Perhaps the tree is still sound, but merely weak branches need removing. When you take a tree or branches down, leave them nearby on the ground to rot and provide habitat, if possible. Then replace the lost nesting cavities with nesting boxes, appropriate for the species in your landscape.

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Warren County Connection

Gardening with Ferns

are overlaid with a silvery sheen and burgundy markings.

Each 18” tall plant slowly increases in size, and in ideal conditions they will multiply by spores. Depending on the painted fern cultivar, the amount of silver and red/purple accents vary. 'Silver Falls' is predominantly silver, while 'Burgundy Lace' has more burgundy hues.

Ostrich fern, Photo credit: Louise Brewer

Ferns may be the best solution for problem spots in shady gardens. Find out how different types of ferns can be used in the landscape.

The term “garden" generally brings to mind brightlycolored flowers or tasty veggies. But my outdoor space is shaded on one side by street trees, and by a two-story house on the other, so my plantings have taken a different route.

I've discovered ferns. Depending on the species, ferns satisfy my desire for a wide palette of color and form, and have even solved some landscaping issues. The ferns that I have planted thrive in my acidic clay soil which is amended with peat for better drainage. In addition, slugs don't seem to like ferns.

A luxuriant spread of bright green, three-foot tall, vaseshaped ostrich ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris) now blanket the steep slope shaded by my house and a tall, 30-year-old hemlock. In my pre-fern days, my son struggled to mow the sad-looking grass that tried to grow in the area. Because ostrich ferns spread via a network of underground runners (rhizomes), the original six clumps that I bought at a local yard sale covered the entire 8' by 10' slope in five years. When I see new growth extending beyond the bottom of the slope, I simply dig up the offshoot in late spring and cut the rhizome connecting it to a nearby mature plant. Two of my neighbors are now using my extras to populate their slopes as well. I toss handfuls of compost to lightly cover the slope each fall, and water thoroughly once a week to supplement rainfall during the hot, dry, summer months.

I define the bottom of my ostrich fern hillside with a necklace of Japanese painted ferns (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum) spaced 3' apart. The graceful green fronds

Japanese painted fern, Photo credit: Louise Brewer

I use the autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora) to outline the back edge of a half-circle bed containing native geraniums and other woodland plants. These ferns are a deeper green than the ostrich ferns when mature; their fronds are a bit glossy and tall enough to serve as background. In spring, when the fronds are young and unfurling, their orange-bronze color is quite eye catching. The evergreen, upright, glossy fronds are attractive in the fall when most plants in the bed have collapsed to the ground for the winter. This area gets more sun than my fern-covered slope but the autumn fern handles it easily.

I have also planted northern maidenhair ferns (Adiantum pedatum) in the garden. Each thin, black, wiry stem supports a fan of delicate leaflets. The plant is sturdier than its delicate appearance suggests, and it has done well in the medium shade provided by my flowering cherry tree.

Maidenhair fern, Photo credit: Louise Brewer

Warren County Connection

Seed Saving Basics Lois Miklas, Area Master Gardener Coordinator, Penn State Extension

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species, check the botanical name. For example, a cucumber (Cucumis sativus) will not crossbreed with a melon (Cucumis melo), even though the large male and female blossoms on the plants may appear similar. However, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, collards, European kale, and mustard greens may all crossbreed, which is indicated by the botanical name they share: Brassica oleracea.

Getting Started The vegetables recommended for beginning seed savers are beans, peas, tomatoes, and lettuce. That is because these vegetables are self-pollinating, reducing the chance of undesirable crossbreeding. However, there is still a chance that they may be insect pollinated with another plant of the same species in your garden. Therefore, it is best to only plant one heirloom variety of each plant if you are planning to save the seeds.

Photo credit: Penn State Master Gardener Program

Have you wondered whether you can replant seeds from your garden? Here is basic information to help you get started with saving seeds.

For longtime gardeners, saving seeds from their plants may be a family tradition. For new gardeners, it may only be a matter of time until they wonder if they can save the seeds forming in their vegetables and flowers to grow next year's garden. While the answer is yes, the successful seed saver will need to plan ahead. Here are a few things to consider in getting started with seed saving.

Heirloom vs. Hybrid It is best to save seeds only from heirloom plants to avoid disappointment. Heirloom plants have been open pollinated over time, and fruit from the seeds you save should have most of the characteristics of the parent.

Just be sure to save seeds from typical fruits; for example, if your tomato variety should be round, dark red, and the size of a baseball, do not save seeds from fruits that are pale, elongated, or undersized. Hybrid plants are grown from seeds of two pure parent lines. These parent plants are not similar and are combined to create desirable traits, such as disease resistance, increased vigor, and uniformity. The result of these crosses usually only lasts one generation, so the seeds harvested from hybrids may produce disappointing results.

What About Crossbreeding?

Have you heard the term "franken fruit"? Many people assume that vegetables in their garden will crossbreed with almost anything, but only plants of the same species can crossbreed. To discover which plants are the same

Saving Flower Seeds Though most seed saving activity is focused on vegetables, you can also save seeds from flowers. You may notice that some flowers readily seed themselves. In order to control where those seeds are replanted or to share with others, check for seeds about two to three weeks after the plants have bloomed. Flowers that lend themselves well to seed saving include calendula, columbine, foxglove, globe amaranth, marigolds, morning glories, nasturtiums, nigella, and zinnias. Sunflowers are another popular choice for seed saving; the petals should dieback, and the head should dry for a few days while on the stalk—it may need to be covered with a paper bag to keep birds from consuming the seeds. The flower head can then be cut off to dry in the bag in a warm, dry space.

Harvest and Winnowing Vegetables that are ripe enough to eat are not always mature enough for seed saving. Likewise, different vegetables require different methods in order to separate the seed from the plant. Let's look at the examples of vegetables for beginning seeds savers mentioned above.

Beans and Peas – Ideally, these pods should be allowed to mature and dry on the plant. Pods are then easily broken open to remove the seeds.

Lettuce – If you harvest all of your lettuce when it is time to eat it, you may never see a seed! But eventually, lettuce will send up flower stalks that contain seeds. The individual composite flowers of lettuce are similar to dandelion flowers. So, harvest lettuce seeds before they are dispersed by the wind. You should then pick apart (Continued on page 6)

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the seed heads or rub them between your hands to separate the seeds from the pappuses, or tufts, that would allow them to blow in the wind. A screen or sieve is helpful to separate the chaff from the seeds.

Tomatoes – Tomato seeds should be harvested when the fruit is ripe enough to eat. Tomato seeds must be fermented to separate them from the gelatinous pulp that surrounds them. To do so, cut the tomatoes and squeeze the seeds and pulp into a jar. Let the jar sit for two to three days, agitating it occasionally. The viable seeds will sink to the bottom of the jar. Decant these seeds by pouring out floating seeds and liquid from the top of the jar. Fill with fresh water and repeat. Then, pour the viable seeds from the bottom of the jar onto a cheesecloth or a fine sieve to dry.

Drying and Storing Seeds should be dried to the point where they could be snapped by hand or shattered with a hammer. Another test for proper dryness is to make sure that you cannot dent the seed with your fingernail. Gardeners spread seeds on various materials to dry them, including newspapers, coffee filters, paper plates, and screens. Storage preferences vary, too. As long as seeds are kept in cool, dry, dark place, they can be stored in plastic or glassine bags, plastic containers, or glass jars. Some seed savers have good luck with storing seeds in the refrigerator; others feel that this environment could contain too much moisture, causing the seeds to mold. You might want to experiment to find the storage location that works best for you. No matter how they are stored, seed containers should be labeled with details about the plant variety and date. Many seeds are viable for only a few years, which makes the date of harvest very important.

If you are ready to give seed saving a try, I highly recommend the Seed Savers Exchange—https://www.seedsa vers.org/ website for detailed and easy-to-follow information on growing and harvesting seeds from a vast variety of edible and ornamental garden crops.

Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hate.

It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness. ~William Arthur Ward, For This One Hour, 1969

Warren County Connection

10 Easy Steps to Prevent Common Garden Diseases

By Cheryl Smith, UNH Cooperative Extension Professor & Plant Health Specialist 1. Sanitation!  Start with a clean planting site, free of last year’s crop debris. Debris from the previous season’s crops may harbor diseases, weeds and insects.

2. Purchase high quality plants and seeds  Select plants with healthy-looking leaves and strong stems (avoid spindly plants).  Purchase seeds & transplants only from reputable dealers.  Avoid collecting seeds from diseased or unhealthylooking plants (pathogens are often transmitted on or in seed).

3. Rotate crops  Grow your crops in different parts of the garden each year. Be sure not to rotate crops with those in the same plant family (e.g., tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers; cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower).

4. Avoid planting too early  Plant growth may be slowed due to cold soil temperatures (slow-growing plants are more susceptible to attack by disease-causing organisms and insect pests).

5. Mulch  Mulches prevent soil that may contain disease-causing organisms from splashing onto the plants, and also helps retain soil moisture.

6. Avoid overcrowding the plants  Crowding creates a moist, humid environment that is favorable for disease development.

7. Water early in the day  Plants that remain wet throughout the night are more likely to develop disease problems.

8. Remove diseased leaves, flowers, and fruit as soon as they are noticed  Diseases are easily spread by wind and rain from diseased plant tissues. Destroy the diseased material.

DO NOT COMPOST. 9. Fertilize to promote growth, but avoid over-fertilization, especially with nitrogen  Young, succulent growth is susceptible to attack by many fungi and bacteria.

10. Try to maintain insect damage to a minimum  Insect wounds provide entry sites for disease-causing organisms.

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Warren County Connection

Land of the Free, Home of the Not-So-Brave Dogs

By Danielle Engel, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

such as hamburgers and hot dogs, will cause gastrointestinal upset and possibly even acute pancreatitis.” (Pancreatitis occurs when the digestive system is overwhelmed by a lot of fatty food, and it can cause long -term organ damage.)

“Dogs can also get alcohol or marijuana toxicity, with smaller dogs being at a greater risk,” Dr. Brummet says.

“No matter how you choose to celebrate the holiday, make sure these substances stay far away from your pets.”

Fireworks Noise: Annoyance or Anxiety?

The most notable part of the Fourth of July is, of course, the fireworks. Whether or not you choose to see the fireworks on the Fourth of July, chances are your family— and pets—will be able to hear these festive explosions from your own home.

No Fireworks or Fatty Foods for Fido For Americans, the Fourth of July is a day of celebration, fireworks, and finding hundreds of ways to incorporate the American flag into food, outfits, and decorations. For our pets, it’s a random hot day full of strangers and lots of good-smelling food, accompanied by inexplicable loud “kabooms.”

Before addressing the fireworks issue, it is important to highlight many other dangers and hazards that pets face every year on this patriotic holiday. Dr. Gary Brummet, a veterinarian who provides primary care for pets at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, offers some advice to help keep pets safe during Fourth of July festivities.

Keep Pets from Eating Bad Stuff To begin with, ingesting fireworks can be potentially toxic for pets. “Many fireworks contain potassium nitrate or heavy metals that can cause gastrointestinal upset or neurologic problems,” Dr. Brummet warns. Pets that get too close to fireworks are also at risk of getting burned.

Remember that dogs don’t know the difference between a firework and a toy. If you light a firework and throw it, your dog might assume it’s a game of fetch, so don’t allow your dog in the area with dangerous explosives.

It’s also important to consider that debris from the festivities does not disappear overnight. Be on the lookout when walking your dog during this season to make sure that none of the used fireworks end up in your dog’s mouth.

Dr. Brummet also warns owners against giving pets table food at parties. “Feeding your pet high-fat people food,

Although your first instinct might be to bring your dog with you in order to provide some TLC, most dogs are best off staying home on the Fourth of July, and certainly those that are afraid of loud noises or anxious around large crowds should not be taken to a fireworks celebration.

How do you know when your pet’s noise-related anxiety is severe enough to seek help? According to veterinary behaviorist Dr. Kelly Ballantyne, you should contact your veterinarian if you notice that your dog repeatedly reacts to a loud noise in one or more of the following ways:

• • • • • • • • •

Trembling or shaking Hiding Following you closely/seeming clingy Panting or drooling Pacing or appearing restless Whining or barking Cowering Appearing hypervigilant (continuously looking around as if danger is nearby) Attempting to escape or chewing on furniture, walls, or crate

Reducing exposure to the noise and lights by closing windows and blinds, turning on the TV or radio, or distracting the dog with bones or puzzle toys may be sufficient to keep your pet calm. However, your veterinarian may also recommend medication to reduce anxiety.

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Warren County Connection

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“Trazadone is a commonly used anti-anxiety drug, and Acepromazine is a common tranquilizer,” Dr. Brummet says. “I don’t recommend over-the-counter options because they usually aren’t as effective.”

ID Pets in Case of Escape July 5 is one of the busiest days of the year for animal shelters. This is because dogs and cats, both indoor and outdoor pets, panic during the loud fireworks and run away in distress.

To make sure this doesn’t happen to your pets, keep them at home in a secure location on July 4. If you must bring your dog with you, make sure he is leashed, has an up-to-date microchip, and is wearing a name tag with contact information.

For more information about how to keep your pet calm during the Fourth of July, talk to your local veterinarian.

We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future. ~Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1940 Common sense is a flower that does not grow in everyone's garden. ~Author unknown

Family Budget Coaching Program Now Available for Families and Individuals in Warren County Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County is now offering a free, confidential Family Budget Coaching Program to community residents. The one-on-one sessions are available to individuals and families who want to improve their financial literacy, set goals, create a savings plan, reduce debt and get a better handle on finances. The trained coaches will offer sessions either via Zoom or in person in Glens Falls, Warrensburg and Johnsburg.

Since 1914, Cornell Cooperative Extension has responded to the needs of New York residents enabling people to improve their lives and communities through partnerships that put experience and research-based knowledge to work.

For more information on this program, please contact Roxanne Westcott at rmw38@cornell.edu or (518) 668-4881.

What To Know About Cryptocurrency and Scams Confused about cryptocurrencies, like bitcoin or Ether (associated with Ethereum)? You’re not alone. Before you use or invest in cryptocurrency, know what makes it different from cash and other payment methods, and how to spot cryptocurrency scams or detect cryptocurrency accounts that may be compromised.

What is cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrency is a type of digital currency that generally exists only electronically. You usually use your phone, computer, or a cryptocurrency ATM to buy cryptocurrency. Bitcoin and Ether are well-known cryptocurrencies, but there are many different cryptocurrencies, and new ones keep being created.

How do people use cryptocurrency?

People use cryptocurrency for many reasons — quick payments, to avoid transaction fees that traditional banks charge, or because it offers some anonymity. Others hold cryptocurrency as an investment, hoping the value goes up.

How do you get cryptocurrency?

You can buy cryptocurrency through an exchange, an app, a website, or a cryptocurrency ATM. Some people earn cryptocurrency through a complex process called “mining,” which requires advanced computer equipment to solve highly complicated math puzzles.

Where and how do you store cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrency is stored in a digital wallet, which can be online, on your computer, or on an external hard drive. A digital wallet has a wallet address, which is usually a long string of numbers and letters. If something happens to your wallet or your cryptocurrency funds — like your online exchange platform goes out of business, you send cryptocurrency to the wrong person, you lose the password to your digital wallet, or your digital wallet is stolen or compromised — you’re likely to find that no one can step in to help you recover your funds.

How is cryptocurrency different from U.S. Dollars?

Because cryptocurrency exists only online, there are important differences between cryptocurrency and traditional currency, like U.S. dollars.  Cryptocurrency accounts are not backed by a government. Cryptocurrency held in accounts is not insured by a government like U.S. dollars deposited into an FDIC insured bank account. If something happens to your account or cryptocurrency funds — for example, the com(Continued on page 9)

Warren County Connection (Continued from page 8)



pany that provides storage for your wallet goes out of business or is hacked — the government has no obligation to step in and help get your money back.

Cryptocurrency values change constantly. The value of a cryptocurrency can change rapidly, even changing by the hour. And the amount of the change can be significant. It depends on many factors, including supply and demand. Cryptocurrencies tend to be more volatile than more traditional investments, such as stocks and bonds. An investment that’s worth thousands of dollars today might be worth only hundreds tomorrow. And, if the value goes down, there’s no guarantee it will go up again.

Paying with cryptocurrency?

There are many ways that paying with cryptocurrency is different from paying with a credit card or other traditional payment methods.  Cryptocurrency payments do not come with legal protections. Credit cards and debit cards have legal protections if something goes wrong. For example, if you need to dispute a purchase, your credit card company has a process to help you get your money back. Cryptocurrencies typically do not come with any such protections.  Cryptocurrency payments typically are not reversible. Once you pay with cryptocurrency, you can usually only get your money back if the person you paid sends it back. Before you buy something with cryptocurrency, know the seller’s reputation, by doing some research before you pay.  Some information about your transactions will likely be public. People talk about cryptocurrency transactions as anonymous. But the truth is not that simple. Cryptocurrency transactions will typically be recorded on a public ledger, called a “blockchain.”

That’s a public list of every cryptocurrency transaction — both on the payment and receipt sides. Depending on the blockchain, the information added to the blockchain can include details like the transaction amount, as well as the sender’s and recipient’s wallet addresses. It’s sometimes possible to use transaction and wallet information to identify the people involved in a specific transaction. And when you buy something from a seller who collects other information about you, like a shipping address, that information can also be used to identify you later on.

How To Avoid Cryptocurrency Scams Scammers are always finding new ways to steal your money using cryptocurrency. To steer clear of a crypto

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con, here are some things to know.  Only scammers demand payment in cryptocurrency.

No legitimate business is going to demand you send cryptocurrency in advance – not to buy something, and not to protect your money. That’s always a scam.  Only scammers will guarantee profits or big returns.

Don’t trust people who promise you can quickly and easily make money in the crypto markets.  Never mix online dating and investment advice. If you meet someone on a dating site or app, and they want to show you how to invest in crypto, or asks you to send them crypto, that’s a scam.

Spot crypto-related scams Scammers are using some tried and true scam tactics — only now they’re demanding payment in cryptocurrency.

Investment scams are one of the top ways scammers trick you into buying cryptocurrency and sending it on to scammers. But scammers are also impersonating businesses, government agencies, and a love interest, among other tactics.

Investment scams Investment scams often promise you can "make lots of money" with "zero risk," and often start on social media or online dating apps or sites. These scams can, of course, start with an unexpected text, email, or call, too.

And, with investment scams, crypto is central in two ways: it can be both the investment and the payment.

Here are some common investment scams, and how to spot them.  A so-called “investment manager” contacts you out of the blue. They promise to grow your money — but only if you buy cryptocurrency and transfer it into their online account. The investment website they steer you to looks real, but it’s really fake, and so are their promises. If you log in to your “investment account,” you won’t be able to withdraw your money at all, or only if you pay high fees.  A scammer pretends to be a celebrity who can multiply any cryptocurrency you send them. But celebrities aren’t contacting you through social media. It’s a scammer. And if you click on an unexpected link they send or send cryptocurrency to a so-called celebrity’s QR code, that money will go straight to a scammer and it’ll be gone.  An online “love interest” wants you to send money or cryptocurrency to help you invest. That’s a scam.

As soon as someone you meet on a dating site or app asks you for money, or offers you investment advice, know this: that’s a scammer. The advice and offers to (Continued on page 10)

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help you invest in cryptocurrency are nothing but scams. If you send them crypto, or money of any kind, it’ll be gone, and you typically won’t get it back.

Scammers guarantee that you’ll make money or promise big payouts with guaranteed returns. Nobody can make those guarantees. Much less in a short time. And there’s nothing “low risk” about cryptocurrency investments. So: if a company or person promises you’ll make a profit, that’s a scam. Even if there’s a celebrity endorsement or testimonials from happy investors. Those are easily faked.

Scammers promise free money. They’ll promise free cash or cryptocurrency, but free money promises are always fake.

Scammers make big claims without details or explanations. No matter what the investment, find out how it works and ask questions about where your money is going. Honest investment managers or advisors want to share that information and will back it up with details.

Before you invest in crypto, search online for the name of the company or person and the cryptocurrency name, plus words like “review,” “scam,” or “complaint.” See what others are saying. And read more about other common investment scams.

Business, government, and job impersonators In a business, government, or job impersonator scam, the scammer pretends to be someone you trust to convince you to send them money by buying and sending cryptocurrency.  Scammers impersonate well-known companies.

These come in waves, and scammers might say they’re from Amazon, Microsoft, FedEx, your bank, or many others. They’ll text, call, email, or send messages on social media — or maybe put a pop-up alert on your computer. They might say there’s fraud on your account, or your money is at risk — and to fix it, you need to buy crypto and send it to them. But that’s a scam. If you click the link in any message, answer the call, or call back the number on the popup, you’ll be connected to a scammer.  Scammers impersonate new or established businesses offering fraudulent crypto coins or tokens.

They’ll say the company is entering the crypto world by issuing their own coin or token. They might create social media ads, news articles or a slick website to back it all up and trick people into buying. But these crypto coins and tokens are a scam that ends up stealing money from the people who buy them. Re-

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search online to find out whether a company has issued a coin or token. It will be widely reported in established media if it is true.

Scammers impersonate government agencies, law enforcement, or utility companies. They might say there’s a legal problem, that you owe money, or your accounts or benefits are frozen as part of an investigation. They tell you to solve the problem or protect your money by buying cryptocurrency. They might say to send it to a wallet address they give you — for “safe keeping.” Some scammers even stay on the phone with you as they direct you to a cryptocurrency ATM and give step-by-step instruction on how to insert money and convert it to cryptocurrency.

They’ll direct you to send the crypto by scanning a QR code they give you, which directs the payment right into their digital wallet — and then it’s gone.

Scammers list fake jobs on job sites. They might even send unsolicited job offers related to crypto like jobs helping recruit investors, selling or mining cryptocurrency, or helping convert cash to crypto. But these socalled “jobs” only start if you pay a fee in cryptocurrency. Which is always a scam, every time. As your first task in your “job,” these scammers send you a check to deposit into your bank account. (That check will turn out to be fake.) They’ll tell you to withdraw some of that money, buy cryptocurrency for a madeup “client,” and send it to a crypto account they give you. But if you do, the money will be gone, and you’ll be on the hook to repay that money to your bank.

To avoid business, government, and job impersonators, know that:  No legitimate business or government will ever email, text, or message you on social media to ask for money. And they will never demand that you buy or pay with cryptocurrency.  Never click on a link from an unexpected text, email, or social media message, even if it seems to come from a company you know.  Don’t pay anyone who contacts you unexpectedly, demanding payment with cryptocurrency.  Never pay a fee to get a job. If someone asks you to pay upfront for a job or says to buy cryptocurrency as part of your job, it’s a scam.

Blackmail scams Scammers might send emails or U.S. mail to your home saying they have embarrassing or compromising photos, videos, or personal information about you. Then, they threaten to make it public unless you pay them in cryptocurrency. Don’t do it. This is blackmail and a criminal extortion attempt. Report it to the FBI immediately.

Source: FTC - Federal Trade Commission

Warren County Connection Warren County Connection

Preserving Your Food Dollars

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By Marybeth Mitcham, Nutrition, Food Safety, and Healthy Living Educator, CCE of Warren County Preserving food dollars is always a good idea, regardless of current grocery prices. However, when gas and grocery prices are high, making smart financial food choices is even more important. Here are some simple steps that you can take to make every food cent count: 

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Make a List and Check it Twice! – The layout of grocery stores is designed to encourage extra spending.

From the placement of higher-cost items at eye level on the shelves, to candy and cold drinks at the checkout line, grocery stores are designed to maximize shopper purchases. Making a list of necessary items before shopping – and then sticking to that list – will help prevent you from adding extra, unnecessary items to your cart.

Double-Check Unit Prices – Even if something is on sale, that item might not necessarily be less expensive than a non-sale counterpart. By checking the unit price, rather than the price for the item, itself, you can make a smart choice in selecting the best deal!

Love Your Leftovers! – Be creative when using leftovers, and use them to plan future meals. For example, if you cook a whole chicken, you can use the leftover meat to make chicken salad or chicken pot pie, while the carcass can be used to make a rich stock. If leftovers cannot be used right away, they can sometimes be frozen for future use.

Meatless Alternatives – Legumes (beans, peas, lentils) are wonderful, nutrient-rich, and inexpensive alternatives to ground meat. Try using lentils in your Bolognese sauce, black beans in tacos, or enjoy a dish of red beans and rice. You can also use legumes to supplement meat in dishes like chili or in shepherd’s pie.

Cook from Scratch – Although it does take a little longer to prepare a meal, cooking a dish from scratch will be more cost-effective and likely healthier for you. You can also plan ahead, and spend some time meal prepping so that cooking on busy nights takes less time. Chop vegetables, create baking mixes for bread or other baked goods, or pre-soak beans for quicker cooking.

Grow or Harvest Your Own – If you have the space to do it, why not consider growing some vegetables or herbs in a garden or even in containers? If you do not have the space, consider using a shared community garden space or being part of a CSA. For animal protein, sportfishing, raising egg-laying fowl and meat animals, or even hunting can be good options.

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Sales and Coupons – Review your local grocery store flier to determine what will be on sale the following week. Clip or print coupons and note if there are specific determinants for those coupons. Ask if a store will honor their competitor’s coupons, and be sure to ask for a raincheck if the sale or coupon items are not in stock.

Buy Fewer Snack Foods – Although delicious, the cost of snack foods adds up quickly. Make your own or try to develop new snacks. For a salty snack fix, pop popcorn and experiment with different homemade seasonings (nacho, kettle corn, taco, etc.). Cut tortillas into wedges, spritz with a little lime juice and sprinkle with salt, then bake for an inexpensive and quick-baked tortilla chip. For sweet cravings, freeze bananas and puree for a soft serve ice cream alternative. Bake cookies to make homemade ice cream cookie sandwiches (put a scoop of ice cream between two cookies and freeze). Make frozen treats from scratch, using pureed fruit and fruit juice, yogurt, or even pudding. Try creating new snack combinations, like your own trail or granola mixes, using different cereal, dried fruit, nuts, and more. Be creative and get snacking!

Buy in Season – Seasonal produce will be less expensive than produce that is out-of-season (bonus – it will also be fresher and taste better!). If you are not sure what produce is in season, check with your local Extension office for a list of seasonal produce!

Preserve Your Food – Although the growing season does not last forever, your produce may be able to (well, not forever, but at least for a bit extra!).

Knowing how to correctly freeze, dehydrate, or can food can make the difference between food use and food waste. If you are not certain how (or what!) to preserve, contact your local Extension office for resources on food preservation safety and methods.

Reduce Waste! – Keep an eye on perishables so that they are used before they spoil. Rotate canned and boxed goods so that newer items are placed in the back of the pantry and older items are used up first.

Make sure to date items you freeze or make yourself, so that you know how old they are! Repurpose, compost, or recycle items so that less ends up thrown out.

Use Available Resources – There is no shame in using resources meant to help those who can use a little extra help. From Farmers’ Markets coupons, to WIC or SNAP benefits, to Senior Meals on Wheels and Free/Reduced School Lunches and more, many community-based food security resources exist so that each member of the community can have enough to eat.

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