February 2021 | Vol. 13 Issue 2 |
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We are here to help you navigate the waters of 2021 |
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Sign up today! CCE Steuben Speaker Series 2021 |
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Join us Wednesday April 7, 2021
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Online:
Ask Me Why I'm Pumped!
Dive into how heat pumps are an attractive alternative for your heating AND cooling needs and say goodbye to your old clunky heating system.
If you are saying…
- My current heating system needs repairs or is dying
- My heating costs are expensive with oil, propane, kerosene, or electric-resistance heating
- My home uses plug-in electric heaters or my oven to keep me warm
- My excitement to lower my carbon footprint is high
- My family or staff members and customers have health needs that this would help
…then get pumped with us and find out what you can do today!
Our Presenter:
Erica Herman, Campaign Director of HeatSmart FLX South under Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County, has been working with residents and energy efficiency since 2018. Prior, she monitored invasive plants in Cayuga Lake, and provided outdoor/environmental education for middle-schoolers with non-profit, Nature’s Classroom, in Connecticut. Not only is she excited to engage various age groups, but she enjoys energizing them too. See you soon!
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Let us help you with your financial challenges! |
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2021 will likely be a tough year financially for many folks. So Cornell Cooperative Extension of Steuben County has partnered with Rooted Planning Group of Corning to offer 12 amazing classes on different aspects of managing your finances. The series will be a year-long training with each month's information to be released online on the 15th of the month. Participants can work on each month's materials at their own pace. CCE Steuben looks forward to helping our residents gain the tools to help them get on top of their personal finances.
You can choose one, two, or all of the classes depending on which topics are important to your financial success. These classes are typically offered at $50 per session, but CCE Steuben is pleased to be able to offer them at only $15 per class (or at the discounted rate of $10 per class if you purchase all 12 sessions).
For more information and to register for any of these classes, please visit http://bit.ly/financialroadmapseries or call CCE Steuben Financial Educator Nancy Reigelsperger at 607-664-2300.
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Agricultural Exemptions for NYS Farmers
Tuesday, February 2 7:00 p.m. online
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Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County in partnership with Farmland for a Next Generation will present a workshop on Agricultural Exemptions for NYS Farmers. On February 2nd at 7:00 p.m. come and learn about a variety of agricultural tax abatement and incentive programs available to you!
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USDA Value Added Producer Grant Program |
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Are you interested in learning about Value Added Producer Grants through the USDA? Join CCE Educators for a 3 session program brought to you by CCE Madison County, CCE Oneida County, Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Team, and Central NY Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Team. The sessions are free.
- Wednesday, February 3rd – What is VAPG?
- Wednesday, February 17th – How do I apply for VAPG?
- Wednesday, March 3rd – How are VAPG applications selected for funding?
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2021 Virtual Soybean and Small Grains Congress
Feb. 10 and 11 10am-Noon
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Join virtually for the Soybean and Small Grains Congress. DEC credits available. Hosted by Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops Team.
The conference will be held using Zoom. Pre-Registration is required - Links to the Zoom meetings will be emailed to you the day before the event. Don't have zoom? Sign up for free at: https://www.zoom.us and click on "Sign Up, It's Free"
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Indoor Seed Starting Online Class
February 24 6:30 p.m.
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Broome County Master Gardener James Dunn will lead you through all you need to know for successful indoor seed starting. Lighting fixtures and requirements, seed starting media, seed germination and how to successfully acclimate and transplant your seedlings to their garden settings.
The fee for the class is $10.00 per email address. This class will be held via Zoom, a link for the Zoom meeting will be sent to you via e-mail on the day of the event.
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Forage Production Series
Starts March 2
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This series provides five two-hour session on a broad array of topics related to forages. They will be held on March 2, 4, 9, 11, and 16. From forage fertility, to interseeding rye, we have something for everyone with an interest in forages. Speakers from Penn State Extension, USDA ARS, and industry partners will be speaking during this series to provide participants with quality information and education.
As a thank you for participating in our 2021 Forage Management Webinar Series, anyone who registers before February 24, 2021, will receive a registration packet. This packet will have handouts that will be used during the workshop, and a copy of the Forage Crop Pocket Guide- by The Fertilizer Institute.
The fifth and final session will have two, PA Department of Agriculture, core and two category credits for pesticide applicators*. To receive these credits, participants must fill out a Qualtrics survey and take a ten-question quiz. Credits for this program will only be available through April 30, 2021.
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Online Grazing Program Focused on Dairy Herds Scheduled for March 2021 |
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Cornell Cooperative Extension shares information on improving grazing for your dairy herd.
Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Regional Dairy Specialists, Alycia Drwencke and Betsy Hicks, would like to invite dairy producers, employees and agribusiness professionals across the state to join a series of 6 webinars focused on “Pasture Prep: Virtual Ruminations for your 2021 Grazing Program”. This virtual learning opportunity will be offered every Tuesday beginning at noon (EST) for 5 consecutive weeks March 2nd - 30th, 2021 with the 6th session occurring at 7pm on April 6th which will be formatted as a panel discussion.
Each week will have an hour long presentation or discussion followed by ample time for questions. One-time registration is required by visiting https://tinyurl.com/dairygrazing - this registration is good for the entire series. There is a $25 registration fee which will cover access to all webinars, presented materials, and recordings.
This virtual learning opportunity will be offered via ZOOM with engaging presentations and open discussion.
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Pruning Your Home Orchard
Wednesday, March 10 6:30 p.m.
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Roger Ort from CCE Schuyler County will present on pruning fruit trees. One of the prime reasons for annual pruning is to encourage lots of productive fruiting wood. How you prune your trees affects how they grow as well as how much they fruit.
Learn how to manage your home orchard to keep your trees producing. The fee for the class is $10.00 per email address.
This class will be held via Zoom, a link for the Zoom meeting will be sent to you via e-mail on the day of the event.
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Ag Literacy Week is March 15-19, 2021 |
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Our books for the 2021 Agriculture Literacy Week are on their way! This year's book highlights the dairy industry. Instead of in-person readings by volunteers, we are collaborating with the FFA class at Avoca School District to engage with the younger grades for in-person book readings and an "ice cream in a bag" creative activity.
We will also have other opportunities to learn about dairy from this fun book in a virtual way.
This year's book is Chuck's Ice Cream Wish (Tales of the Dairy Godmother) written by Viola Butler with Art by Ward Jenkins. Ice cream is a treat we enjoy in many forms and flavors. But how often do we stop and think about how the ice cream we're eating made its way to the cone or dish we are enjoying it from? Chuck's Ice Cream Wish (Tales of the Dairy Godmother) connects the delicious treat to the work farmers are doing every day to grow, raise and produce our food. This book will take students on an explorative journey learn about dairy and to trace the food on their plate back to its source- the farmer.
With over 4,000 dairy farms and ranking fourth nationally as the largest producer of milk, dairy is vital to New York State. New York State is also the largest producer of yogurt, cottage cheese and sour cream in the nation. The dairy community in New York includes both large dairy operations and small, family run farms. It also boasts processing facilities of various types and sizes, from major global processing companies to small artisanal dairy product makers. We are excited to feature a book that displays the unique markets and diversity that encompasses many aspects of New York's dairy industry while also focusing on processing and how consumers contribute to agriculture.
We are looking for sponsors of the book so we can place them into the school libraries around Steuben County. Each book is just $12. To find out how you can donate, please visit our website here.
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With the health and safety of our community in mind, the annual Taste FLXpo has been cancelled. The Taste FLXpo Premier Local Food & Farmer’s Market organized by the Finger Lakes Farm Country Coalition would have returned for its fourth year in 2021. The event promotes local food production and sourcing awareness and connects consumers and businesses to local farmers. We look forward to 2022 when we can once again hold the event.
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Sustainable Garden Lunch and Learn (recording available)
Rain Gardens: A How-to for Homeowners
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Green infrastructure practices help to improve water quality and reduce stormwater runoff by soaking water back into the ground. Rain gardens are a type of green infrastructure practice and are relatively easy and inexpensive for homeowners to install. They help reduce stormwater runoff to storm drains by collecting and treating rainwater runoff from rooftops. In this recorded workshop, you will learn how to disconnect your downspout, design and install a rain garden in your yard including; where to locate it, how to properly size it, and what types of plants to use. The presentation also covers an overview of other green infrastructure practices such as porous pavement and rain barrels.
Thank you again to Caroline Kilmer of CMK Consulting for being our speaker for the sustainable gardens session.
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Financial & Consumer Education News |
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America Saves Week is Feb. 22-26 |
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This year’s America Saves Week will take place February 22– 26. The annual campaign has been a time-honored and popular tradition since 2007 and serves as a call to action for everyday Americans to commit to saving successfully.
Many Americans are in the midst of a savings crisis, made more complicated by the pandemic. Having some emergency savings can make a significant difference in one’s quality of life. Unfortunately, many people are not told about the most effective way to save, and that’s making saving automatic.
America Saves and its partners are committed to attacking the savings crisis head on. Throughout the week, there will be resources, tools, and tips to motivate individuals to build or increase their personal savings. During the campaign week, the focus will be on:
· Monday, February 22, 2021 | Save Automatically
· Tuesday, February 23, 2021 | Save for the Unexpected
· Wednesday, February 24, 2021 | Save to Retire
· Thursday, February 25, 2021 | Save by Reducing Debt
· Friday, February 26, 2021 | Save as a Family
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He makes it easy for anyone to teach kids about great money habits!
The most common comment we hear…I wish I had started “this” earlier. Well, we agree, the earlier you start the better. How about as early as age 7?
We truly believe in “starting them young,” and have partnered with Sammy Rabbit through Rooted Planning Group to provide Financial Education for you and Kids, making it a fun family event. Really, who doesn’t like to color? So why not combine coloring with financial education?
Here’s what you need to get started:
- Download this Deluxe Story Set
- Gather Colored Pencils, Crayons, Water Colors, Markers, or whatever your kids use to add color to paper
- Print a Few Pages a Day
- Have Fun!
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Scott Van Etten, Chairman of the Steuben County Legislature, on behalf of the members of this Legislature, proclaims the week of February 22nd through February 28, 2021, as STEUBEN SAVES WEEK in Steuben County, and calls upon all citizens to increase their automatic savings or take other positive wealth-building action during STEUBEN SAVES WEEK and pledge to sustain that action during the remainder of the year. Locally, we will be offering free workshops throughout the week on a variety of financial topics. Visit our website often to see what sessions we have added.
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Don't Let Your Estate Plan Sink
February 16, 2021
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
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Does my plan cover contingencies I haven’t thought of or may not have happened yet?
- Discover why having a will is not enough
- Uncover the hidden dangers of having a deed with a life use
- Find out why thinking “all attorneys (or the forms they use) are the same” could lead to disaster
- Learn why estate planning is not a do-it-yourself project
FREE Workshop led by Patrick J. Roth, Esq. CPA
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Who Gets Grandma's Yellow Pie Plate
February 18
1:00-3:00 p.m.
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There are many approaches when dividing emotionally valued assets after a loved one dies. Sometimes the process can cause a huge rift between family members at just the time they need each other the most! Don't think this could happen to your family?
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Steuben County is offering a free workshop to help guide your family in planning ahead, so it does not happen to you!
Who Gets Grandma' Yellow Pie Plate explores the sensitivity of how to pass on personal possessions with Cooperative Extension's Financial Management Educator Nancy Reigelsperger. Whether planning ahead or making decisions when a loved one dies, the class will help you and your family recognize the sensitivity of the issue, determine what you want to accomplish, decide what's fair for your family, understand how belongings have different meanings to different individuals, consider distribution options and consequences, and help you to agree to manage conflicts if they arise.
Some of the topics Reigelsperger will cover include key factors for successful non titled property transfer, determining what "fair" means, and identifying special objects and sharing stories about their history.
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Clear the Clutter
February 23
1:00-3:00 p.m.
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Do you feel like you are drowning in clutter? Overwhelmed by the sheer volume of stuff? Having trouble finding the item you need? Clear the Clutter and Simplify Your Life and Finances may be the workshop that helps you address these questions.
Nancy Reigelsperger, CCE-Steuben Financial Educator, will help you discover the strategies for taking a positive approach to controlling the clutter you might have. She will touch on ways to eliminate paper accumulation and provide alternate ways to keep sentimental items.
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Estate Planning is an Investment
February 23
6:00-7:00 p.m.
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Join us and learn:
- How a comprehensive estate plan can save you and your family money, protect assets and provide peace of mind
- Wills and Trusts—Why everyone should have a Will.
- Power of Attorney and Health Care documents—why you should have them and how they can help avoid the cost of a guardianship.
- How Trusts can help you avoid probate (saving time and money)
- Using Trusts to protect assets you have worked a lifetime to accumulate.
- How certain trusts can protect assets for your beneficiaries
- Hidden pitfalls of joint accounts and deeds with life use.
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Join SNAP-Ed New York to learn about Sugar Overload |
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Sugar Overload is an online nutrition workshop to be offered by SNAP-Ed New York on February 9 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. and on February 11 from 10:00-11:00 a.m.
SNAP-Ed NY Nutritionist Kelsey Monks will help adults rethink their drink through learning about healthy alternatives to sugary beverages and tips on reading nutrition labels. Participants will receive a free water bottle.
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The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans are here! |
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Every 5 years, the Dietary Guidelines are updated to stay current with the emerging research and science. They shape the nutrition messages we hear, how we eat, and at SNAP-Ed, they are the basis for our programs.
Here’s how the new guidelines for 2020-2025 compare with the old ones:
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Though they may seem similar, this is the first time that the Dietary Guidelines have provided specific nutrition recommendations across the lifespan, from infants to seniors, and even for special populations, such as woman who are pregnant.
There are also a couple of other “firsts:” the 2020 guidelines are the first to give guidance on alcohol consumption, and the first to emphasize the importance of adapting your eating pattern to fit personal preferences, cultural traditions, and budgetary considerations.
In addition, there is a focus on consuming “nutrient-dense foods” – foods and beverages that provide vitamins, minerals, and other health-promoting components and have little added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium. Examples of nutrient-dense foods include fruits without added sugar, vegetables without added salt, butter, or oil, low-fat dairy products like skim or 1% milk, and lean meats like fish, shellfish, or poultry without the skin.
One key finding to note – it’s never too late to start eating healthy! When the 20 scientists on the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee reviewed all of the research, they found that health can be improved at any age with a healthy diet.
Learn more about the Dietary Guidelines here.
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As they found with the Dietary Guidelines research, health can be improved at any age with a healthy diet – and SNAP-Ed New York has a few simple and affordable recipes to help you get started!
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Visit www.snapedny.org for more tips and resources to help you and your family save time, save money, and eat healthy!
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The childhood obesity crisis started before Covid-19. The pandemic has made it much worse |
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Experts fear that the profound disruptions of 2020—including changes to school lunch—may have a lasting, harmful legacy.
Earlier this year, Anisha Patel, a Stanford University pediatrics professor, started to notice a troubling trend: Child patients at the Atherton California clinic where she works have gained a distressing amount of weight.
Since the spring, she says, her patients’ growth curves, which track body mass index, have climbed their clinical charts steeply. In a matter of months, many kids’ chartlines raced past the 85th percentile, which means a patient is overweight. Today, most have broken into the 95th percentile, which is when a child becomes clinically obese. The pattern is so common, Patel says, “that when we do see patients that aren’t on that trajectory, we’re actually kind of surprised.”
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Visit www.snapedny.org for more tips and resources to help you and your family save time, save money, and eat healthy!
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Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program News |
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Sign up for online classes! |
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Let’s talk about low-cost quick and healthy meals, and how to keep your family healthy and active. All you need is a reliable internet connection and an hour a week! Join us for our six to eight week series of FREE Online Nutrition Classes. We an do individuals or groups.
Who is Eligible?
Families with children under age 19 (or pregnant), who are eligible for WIC, SNAP, Head Start, free or reduced-price school lunch and youth groups.
How do I Enroll?
Classes are offered on a flexible schedule. Contact Pat Lamphier, EFNEP Nutrition Educator, Email: pal29@cornell.edu Or call us at (607) 664 - 2569.
Graduates of our 8-week nutrition series receive a Certificate of Completion, an EFNEP Cookbook with delicious and affordable recipes along with kitchen tools that support healthy eating.
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4-H Youth Development News |
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Boredom Buster Kits are available! |
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Steuben County’s 4-H Program is offering monthly Boredom Buster Kits that will include 5 different activities targeted for youth 8 - 12, but can be completed by youth of any age (5-18). Youth DO NOT need to be enrolled in 4-H to participate!
Instructions for activities are provided in the kits. Activities will involve STEM, Agriculture, Civic Engagement, Healthy Living, and some general craft projects. Kit prices will vary - payment due at the time of registration. Order forms can be completed 1 per family. Kits will be available for pick up in Bath or other locations as needed. If you are unable to pick up in Bath, please indicate that on your registration.
February activities include:
- Snow Volcano
- Handsewn Winter Magnet
- Feeding our Feathered Friends
- Helping Hands
- Creating Tasty Treats
The February kit registration deadline is February 12 with pick up on February 19.
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New Scholarships are now posted |
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The 4-H Scholarships, Contests, & Opportunities page on the website has added some new items that you won't want to miss:
- New York Farm Bureau Offers Scholarships To Students Who Plan An Ag-Related Future.
- NYS Association of Agricultural Fairs (NYSAAF) and the NYS Show People’s Association Scholarship (NYSSSA)
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Steuben County 4-H Tractor Safety Certification Interest
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We’re in the beginning stages of revamping the Steuben County 4-H Tractor Safety Certification Course! Therefore, we’re in search of adult volunteers (who’d be interested in becoming a trained instructor) along with 4-H youth (at least 14 years old) who might be interested in this program.
If you’re interested in volunteering/participating in the future, please contact Ainsley at 607-664-2571.
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The Great Backyard Birds Count |
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The Great Backyard Birds Count is February 12-15, 2021. This annual four-day event engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent.
Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one or more of the count days, anywhere you like. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds. Then they enter their counts on the Great Backyard Bird Count Website. The Great Backyard Bird Count is led by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, with Canadian partner Bird Studies Canada and is sponsored by Wild Birds Unlimited. Cornell Information Technologies, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and National Science Foundation. As tallies pour in from around the United States and Canada, everyone can watch the results in real time.
We have a limited amount of bird feeders for youth interested in participating! Please contact Ainsley to reserve your feeder!
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Steuben County 4-H Photo February Contest |
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Picture Categories:
1) Snow
2) Wild Birds
3) 4-H Project
-Photos are DUE FEBRUARY 15th!
-1 Photo per 4-H Member
-Please email your name, age & photo to Ainsley
-Winner will receive a free FEBRUARY 4-H Boredom Buster Kit!
-Photos will be uploaded to the Steuben County 4-H Program's Facebook page to be judged
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Sign up for free access to Creativebug.com |
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Through 4-H & JOANN Fabric and Crafts, 4-H’ers can expand their hearts, hands, and minds through new crafting projects on Creativebug.com. When you sign up for a JOANN 4-H Rewards Card, not only will you save 15% off every purchase and have a portion of the sale go back to support 4-H, but you also will get free access to Creativebug.com. Already have a rewards card? Just enter your rewards card number here to sign up for free Creativebug access today.
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FLX 4-H Learning Launchpad
Join us for virtual learning sessions on Facebook for a number of 4-H project opportunities.
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Cornell Cooperative Extension of Steuben County
20 East Morris Street | Bath, New York 14810
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Cornell Cooperative Extension puts knowledge to work in pursuit of economic vitality,
ecological sustainability and social well-being. We bring local experience and
research based solutions together, helping New York State families and
communities thrive in our rapidly changing world.
Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.
CCE does not endorse or recommend any specific product or service.
This newsletter is solely intended to educate consumers about their choices.
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