Happy Holidays Steuben County!

December 2022 | Vol. 14 Issue 12

We provide programming in four major areas:

Celebrating our Annual Award Winners!

Jenny Groen, 4-H Leader and Autumn Lavine, NYS 4-H Youth Building Program Coordinator

Christine Towner, AmeriCorps Senior Coordinator and Jenny Groen, 4-H Leader

Tess McKinley, Executive Director and Kyle Lowery of Lowery Family Farms

Anne Zschoche, 4-H Shooting Sports Coordinator with Laurie Mault and Dean Robie from the Bath Rod and Gun Club

Trinity Daley, 4-H Youth and Michelle Chase, 4-H Program Coordinator

CCE-Steuben celebrated their Annual Meeting with a TRIVIA competition led by Bob Smith of Bulldog Sounds DJ Services at the Main Place in Hornell, and presented their annual Friends of Extension awards last month. For full details on our winners, visit our website.

Please support CCE Steuben this holiday season!

Why should YOU invest in Cornell Cooperative Extension Steuben County? Look at a few of the impacts we made on our community in 2022:

Veggie Van – served approximately 400 people with fresh produce in food deserts in Steuben County
Farm Trail Day – Over 250 families ventured out to learn about farming and significantly increased sales revenues for five locals farms in our county
600 Container Garden Kits distributed in our area with our agency leading that grant that brought in $38,000 to our agency.
Shared Business Network – applied for and received the bid to be in charge of the SBN for the Finger Lakes Region of CCE. This adds three new employees in Steuben that are serving our seven county region with finance, IT and human resources services.
Pavilion at Haverling Street Park – worked with the Village of Bath, the Langendorfer family and Rotary to put in a pavilion and start work on a permaculture garden.
Brought in additional funding for providing interim Executive Director coverage to Livingston County CCE
Many Steuben County 4-Hers went to the NYS Fair as well as one who is going to Nationals for horse judging
$84,000 brought in by 4-Hers that sold their animals at the Livestock sale at the fair
$47,000 sold by 4-Hers for their fundraiser this year. Steuben County 4-H is the biggest fundraiser for Cuba Cheese and Wilson Beef Farms. Also introduced Golden Age Cheese to the mix this year.
Approximately 300 4-Hers benefited from programming from approximately 50 leaders and key volunteers.
Over 400 individuals have benefited from our financial education programs in 2022, including approximately 50 women who attended our Women’s Financial Conference and many individuals that received budget counseling.
Our two nutrition programs (SNAP Ed and EFNEP) that have 14 staff, with 6 of them in Steuben County provided education to over 6,800 people in the 2022 year. Our SNAP Ed program brings in over $800,000 into our county to provide education to at risk populations.
Our agriculture teams – FLGP, CVP and SWNY DLFC are highly trained specialists supporting local farms right here in Steuben County. Just in the last year FLGP worked one on one with 150 growers, CVP worked with 2343 growers, and the SWNY team worked with 1480 growers, with many of those farmers being right here in Steuben. The teams also had approximately 6,000 people in 2022 attend their educational classes.

All of this great work takes the support of many people in our community and much additional funding. Won’t you consider a gift this season to help us continue to reach our farmers, families, and youth with exceptional knowledge and coaching?

Thank you for your investment in the future of agribusiness, youth and practical education for Steuben County. You can support CCE Steuben with your gift here.

With gratitude,

Theresa (Tess) McKinley,

Executive Director

Join our team!

SNAP-Ed Assessment and Evaluation Nutritionist – Bath, NY

As a member of the Southern Finger Lakes SNAP-Ed Program leadership team, the Assessment and Evaluation Nutritionist will lead the assessment and evaluation of environmental change initiatives throughout the Southern Finger Lakes (SFL) Region of SNAP-Ed, and the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of marketing efforts in the region.

Read more about this position here.

Applications due December 6

Ramp Guys raise over $1,600 during FLXGives

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Steuben County, the Hornell/Steuben County Office for the Aging, and the Avoca United Methodist Church all helped to promote The Ramp Guys during FLXGives 2022 in November. This volunteer group has heroically built numerous ramps to allow folks the ability to get out of their homes and live again. Since both the cost and the need has risen, there are 16 local residents who still need ramps but there is no funding to supply those ramps.

FLXGives is a one day campaign to raise funds for local organizations in the Finger Lakes region. The Ramp Guys successfully raised $1,645 through 23 donors during the campaign. We thank the community for their participation in this effort!

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Agriculture News

Thinking about a solar lease?

Here are 5 things you should consider

Rural landowners across the Southwest New York Region, and New York State in general, have been receiving invitations from solar companies to lease their land for utility scale solar arrays. While this has been around for several years, the general trend of increasing renewable energy sources has spurred lots of conversations about the potential benefits, pitfalls, and logistics of hosting solar arrays on your property.

One thing to note is that solar leases are rarely something landowners should feel pressured to rush right into. Careful consideration, consultation with legal counsel, and an evaluation of the role such a lease would play into a farm business plan are all important steps before signing on the dotted line.

Here are 5 things to consider as you think about leasing your land for solar.

Western New Maple School

and Trade Show

Saturday, December 3, 2022 at 9:00am

Hosted by: Attica FFA

Attica Central School

3338 East Main Street, Attica, NY 14011

Reade more and register here

Risk Management Series for Cut Flowers

Integrated pest management, or IPM, is both a way of thinking and a way of acting in regard to pests. Farmers who practice IPM strive to prevent damage from pests and/or to manage them in ways that reduce risks to the environment and human health. Betsy Lamb from NYS IPM Program will talk about common pests of cut flowers and different options for controlling them. Fran Parrish, owner of Heirloom Soul Florals in Lockport, NY will discuss how she has grown a thriving flower farm and design business using regenerative, holistic practices.

This webinar is part of a six-week production risk management series for cut flower growers of all experience levels. In each session, an extension specialist will present best practices and new innovations. After a short break, a seasoned flower farmer or industry professional will share real life experiences and advice.

12/01/22 - Crop Planning
12/08/22 - Soil Health, Irrigation, and Fertigation
12/15/22 - Season Extension
1/05/23 - Wholesaling Ins and Outs

The series is funded by a Northeast Extension Risk Management Education grant. There is no fee to participate. To register for one or more sessions, visit this link.

For more information, contact Carla Crim or Lindsey Pashow

2023 Educational Schools For Garden Centers, Greenhouses & Growers

January 18, 2023

8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Steuben County CCE is participating in the Virtual morning program series for the 2023 Educational Schools for Garden Centers, Greenhouses, and Growers. Zoom links will be provided upon registration.

Registration for the morning series is $50.00 per registrant. The deadline for registration is January 15, 2023.Please register using this link:

Multiple presentation in 2023 Educational School offer 0.75 CEC, each. If you will be applying for NYSDEC Pesticide Recertification Credits from these classes, please provide your applicator license number.

GAPs Training - Understanding Food Safety on the Farm

December 9, 2022

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Join the Cornell Vegetable Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension for a workshop that will provide you with the why's behind food safety recommendations along with practical, farm-based ideas to improve food safety on your farm.

We'll cover manure management, packing house cleaning and sanitizing, water testing, and other topics which have big impacts on produce quality and safety.

Going through a GAPs Audit? This class will provide you with a food safety training course!

Cost: $5 (a pizza lunch is included).

Registration: Contact CCE Yates at 315-536-5123.

For more information about the topics of the meeting, contact Robert Hadad.

CCE Yates County and Cornell Vegetable Program, Robert Hadad, 585-739-4065

Location: CCE Yates County, Yates County Office Building, 417 Liberty St.

Penn Yan, NY 14527

It is the Holiday Season: Tree cutting tradition promotes NYS Christmas Tree Farms and kicks off the festive season

New York State Ranks #4 in U.S. in Acres Dedicated to Growing Christmas Trees

New Yorkers Encouraged to Buy Farm-Fresh NYS Grown & Certified Trees and Shop for Local Food, Beverages, and Specialty Gift Items this Holiday Season

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball led the Department’s annual tree-cutting tradition at New York State Grown & Certified Stokoe Farms in Scottsville, cutting down a 9-foot-tall Fraser Fir that will be proudly displayed at the Finger Lakes Welcome Center. The annual event highlights New York’s Christmas tree industry and encourages New Yorkers to shop local at farms— as they pick out trees this season— and at local agricultural businesses—as they check items off of gift lists for loved ones and set their tables for the holidays.

Commissioner Ball said, “New York’s agricultural industry plays such an important role in holiday traditions in ways that many New Yorkers may be surprised to discover. From the trees we gather around and wreaths we decorate with, to the food we eat and specialty items we purchase as thoughtful gifts, our local farms and agricultural businesses contribute to this festive season in incredible ways. We hope New Yorkers remember local farmers and businesses during this season of giving, and all year long.”

Gene Knudsen, President of the Christmas Tree Farmers Association of New York, said, “Thank you to Commissioner Richard Ball for continuing this tradition. We look forward to it every year, as it unofficially kicks off the busiest and most magical time of year for Christmas tree farmers. We hope those who celebrate Christmas will bring their families to a local farm, enjoy an outdoor outing, and pick a fresh centerpiece for their traditions.”

According to the Christmas Tree Farmers Association of New York, New York State is home to 875 tree farms. With tree farms sprawling across almost 19,000 acres, the state ranks #4 in the country in acres dedicated to growing Christmas trees. By selecting a tree from any one of these local farms, New Yorkers and their families can support this important agricultural sector, which has an $13.8 million economic impact. Dozens of Christmas tree farms are also members of the NYS Grown & Certified Program, which means they adhere to environmental sustainability standards in growing their trees.

To find the New York-grown Christmas tree vendor closest to you, visit the NYS Grown & Certified website and the Christmas Tree Farmers Association of New York websit e.

Read the full article HERE.

2022 Empire State Barley and Malt Summit

December 14, 2022

1:00 pm - 9:00 pm

The Empire State Barley and Malt Summit will return to an in-person format in 2022 on December 14th from 1-9 pm at the Culinary Institute in Hyde Park, NY with the theme Celebrating Success and Planning for the Future! The Summit will bring together leaders in the New York State malting barley supply chain to provide:

Research-based technical updates
Best practices for success
Supply-chain networking opportunities

Details and the full program are to come! Visit the website for information on the available room block.

Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY

Save the Date:

2023 Virtual NOFA-NY Winter Conference

Online: February 2 – 5, 2023

NOFA-NY is excited to partner with the Northeast Community Seed Conference & Celebration in hosting our 41st Annual Winter Conference which will offer 70+ workshops and events.

Suggested registration for non-members- $125

Suggested registration for NOFA-NY members- $100

Reduced Registration Rate for anyone who needs it- $50

We continue to host the conference online because we are able to offer lower ticket prices than we could in person, and the virtual platform broadens access by eliminating hotel and travel costs, offering on-demand workshop recordings, more dynamic interpretation services, closed captioning, and more.

All of that said, we understand that communities need to meet in person, and we miss seeing you too.

We do plan to host at least four regional events in the spring and summer of 2023 so if you aren’t able to join us for the Virtual Winter Conference, we hope to see you then!

Clean Energy Training:

Battery Energy Storage for First Responders

December 5, 2022

5:00-7:00 p.m

Virtual event via Zoom (link to be sent one week prior to the class date

The final virtual energy trainings offered by NYSERDA for municipal officials will take place Monday, December 5, 2022 from 5 -7 pm.

Battery Energy Storage for First Responders will introduce key safety considerations for battery energy storage systems for codes and building officials. The topics covered will include fire prevention considerations and compliance with the 2020 NYS Uniform Code. Code enforcement and building officials are encouraged to attend. (Approved for 2-hours of In-Service training credit).

Cost: Free.

Credits: NYS Dept of State Division of Building Standards & Codes offers in-service credits to Building Safety Inspectors and code enforcement officials. Attendees to other sessions may be eligible for continuing education credit subject to approval by their county.

Learn more here

Homeowner Update On Emerald Ash Borer Management

December 2, 2022

12:00 pm - 12:30 pm

Join Juli Gould, Entomologist with USDA APHIS PPQ S&T Laboratory for NYS Integrated Pest Management's final

"What's Bugging You? First Friday" events for 2022. The presentation will close with Betsy Lamb, Ornamentals IPM Coordinator, NYS IPM providing an IPM Minute: Creepy Crawly Christmas - What to do if you find insects in your Christmas tree.

Useful Links

Financial & Consumer Education News

Who is scamming you? Find out in this workshop!

Recognizing common signs of a scam could help you avoid falling for one. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Steuben County is offering a workshop with tips on how to avoid being scammed on Thursday, December 8 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the Wayland Library, 101 West Naples Street, Wayland.

In this class Financial Educator Nancy Reigelsperger will cover:

Types of scams
How to recognize a scam
How to protect yourself against scams
What should you do if you’ve been the victim of a scam?

The workshop is free, but registration is required. Please call Cornell Cooperative Extension at 607-664-2300 to reserve a space. For more information on this and related topics, visit www.putknowledgetowork.org.

SAVE THE DATE:

The Great Debate: Wills versus Trusts

Estate planning today is more complicated than it has ever been. Often, mistakes in a plan are not discovered until someone has passed on. Unfortunately, then it is too late. Join us for an informational look at planning with Revocable Living Trusts in a free workshop called Wills versus Trusts on Thursday, January 5 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at the Southeast Steuben County Library, 300 Civic Center Plaza, Corning.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Steuben County again partners with Patrick Roth, Elder Law Attorney, CPA from Corning, to lead this workshop. He will present such information as:

How can a Revocable Living Trust based estate plan help protect you and secure your family's future?
Do you know the unknown truths about planning with a Revocable Living Trust?
Discover the 16 situations in which a Trust can have legal advantages over a Will.
Learn the truth about the hidden costs of a Will based estate plan that no one talks about.

Let CCE help you learn about investing

Have you thought much about investing your money? Investing is an effective way to put your money to work and potentially build wealth and security. Planning your financial future is essential, no matter how much money you have, because your plan keeps you in charge of your money and your life! But investing includes many options, so before deciding which investment vehicles are appropriate for you, it helps to know what they are, how they work, and why they may be a good fit for your needs.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Steuben County (CCE Steuben) has received a 9-month Investor Education Grant in collaboration with Consumer Action (www.consumer-action.org). The purpose of this program is to help clients build long-term savings and investment accounts, thereby improving financial health. CCE-Steuben will provide in-depth investor literacy and engagement programming to participants. Fact sheets and workshops will be provided to help educate participants regarding investment. Online tools and apps will also be provided.

Participants will complete a brief survey to help assess the consumer’s financial health at initial entry of the program and then again at 3-months, six months, and nine-months. The Survey link is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CCESC-IE 1. An intake form will be required. CCE will be able to offer a $150 incentive to 20 clients who complete the surveys, participate in coaching/counseling sessions, and make consecutive contributions to an investment account of their choice. (retirement, college savings, IRAs, Stocks & Bonds Mutual Funds etc.) Incentives will be awarded via digital or physical Visa gift cards as follows:

$25 for initial survey completion
$25 at 3 months with proof of open investment account and contribution
$50 at 6 months for proof of continuing contribution to investment account.
$50 at 9 months for proof of continuing contribution to investment account.

We look forward to working with you to develop a plan for your money that will enable you to live the life you want for yourselves and your families. Please feel free to contact me at 607-664-2573 if you have any questions.

Take the Roadmap to Financial Success

Family finances can be tough to manage these days, but Cornell Cooperative Extension of Steuben County is again offering 12 amazing classes on different aspects of managing your finances. Our partnership with Rooted Planning Group of Corning is a year-long training with each month's information available online. Participants can work on each month's materials at their own pace or forge ahead into the materials for all year long. 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.

Have a Budget Friendly Holiday

While it is great to celebrate the holidays and share generosity with your loved ones, every year too many families get overextended financially due to too much shopping/spending.

So think about having a budget friendly holiday by:

Make a list and check it twice – Make a list of everyone you need to buy for, big or small. Then make a list of gifts you’d like to buy -this helps to eliminate impulse buys.
Remember credit cards represent debt, not money! Each time you use one, it is like taking out a loan. Remember that access to buy and ability to afford are not the same. Credit gives us access; money gives us ability.
Determine how much you can afford to spend before heading out to shop. Keep receipts. Create a holiday budget and set limits. Include expenses such as decorations, cards, postage, gift-wrap etc.
Cut back on the gift-buying pressure. Set expectations ahead of time; consider a lower-cost gift exchange with a spending limit.
Research, especially big purchases, to find the best deals.
Beware of online shopping, people often spend more than they intend to when shopping online because the money doesn’t seem as “real” as it does when paying with cash. One click can drain your bank account fast. Be careful of impulse buys.
Understand how gift cards work. Some come with costs, restrictions, or an expiration date.
Protect your personal information. Identity thieves are looking for your private information. Be aware of holiday scams.
Don’t get roped into extended warranties and unnecessary accessories.
Be generous to those in need; set aside some time and money to help those in need!

Visit the finance page on our website for additional programs in the future

SNAP-Ed New York News

December SNAP-Ed Classes

A free nutrition workshop with a food demo!

Tis the season...for eating! Join SNAP-Ed Nutritionists as they talk tricks on making healthy choices that will leave you feeling nourished and energized through the holidays and beyond.

Email Katie to register

Download this flyer here

Join us to learn about tips and tools for making better food choices and being more physically active. Workshops promote eating foods from all five food groups every day, eating less solid fats/added sugars/sodium every day and being physically active.

Download this flyer here

Make Healthy Eating a SNAP this Holiday Season with Budget-Friendly Tips!

At SNAP-Ed New York, we’re all about saving time, saving money, and eating healthy – and for many, these are especially important this time of year.

With the holiday season in full swing, staying within budget and healthy eating become particularly more challenging. December is filled with family gatherings, parties, and most importantly, food!

Check out these money-saving tips for staying healthy on a budget this holiday season:

Coupons, coupons, coupons! Coupons can be a great way to save money and stay within your budget. Look for coupons with your receipt, as peel-offs on items, or by searching online. Stay organized so coupons are easy to find and hassle-free by developing a system for storing them.
Find a coupon buddy. Have a friend that is looking to save money this holiday season, too? Give the gift of coupons! Swap coupons you won’t use with a friend – you’ll get rid of clutter and discover additional discounts.
Join your store’s loyalty program. Sign up is usually free and you can receive savings and electronic coupons when you provide your email address.
Buy when foods are on sale. Maximize your savings by using coupons on sale items. You may find huge deals such as “buy one get one free.”
Compare brands. Store brands can be less expensive than some of the name brand foods. Compare the items to find better prices.
Stick to the list. Make a shopping list for all the items you need. Keep a running list on your phone, on the refrigerator, or in a wallet. When you’re in the store, do your best to buy only the items on your list.
Swear by the sign-up. Don’t overwhelm yourself when hosting a party or holiday gathering. Ask guests to sign up to bring a dish to pass. Include categories to make sure each food group is covered and ensure balanced meals. This will also help to cut down on food waste!
Enjoy leftovers. Create delicious new meals with your leftovers. Add turkey to soups or salads. Use extra veggies in omelets, sandwiches, or stews. The possibilities are endless!
Make exercise a part of the fun! Spending time together this holiday season doesn’t have to be all about food and gifts! Make being active part of your holiday tradition and pick a free activity to do together. Have fun walking and talking with family and friends after a holiday meal.

Celebrate with a strategy this holiday season! Whether you implement all of these tips or just pick 2 or 3 to try, enjoy all that the holiday season has to offer while staying stress-free and within your budget.

This holiday season, put a healthy and low-cost spin on some of these favorite traditional recipes!

Visit www.snapedny.org for more tips and resources to help you and your family save time, save money, and eat healthy!

Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program News

Gatherings and Celebrations

December is filled with many types of gatherings and celebrations. No matter what you celebrate or who you gather with, try including these healthy ideas from www.myplate.gov this month.

When planning what to serve, consider how you will include each of the food groups in your meal or buffet. What dishes can you provide or ask others to bring? Try including dishes made mostly from vegetables, or fruit or whole grains.

Skip sugar sweetened beverages and serve water with a twist of fruit, seltzer or sparkling water, club soda with a splash of 100% fruit juice or unsweetened iced tea.

Include ways to be physically active—dance, take a walk with your group after a meal, include sledding or ice skating as part of the gathering.

Fresh, canned and/or frozen fruit with yogurt or nut butter dip and some yummy toppings like mini chocolate chips, nuts, shredded coconut and dried fruit can make a healthy dessert.

Contact Pat Lamphier for class information

Download this month's edition of the EFNEP Newsletter

4-H Youth Development News

Join 4-H at Spirit of Christmas this Friday

The CCE Steuben 4-H Staff will be at the Spirit of Christmas event in Pulteney Park in Bath this Friday, December 2, making small fresh evergreen arrangements for FREE to celebrate the season with local community members.

Drop off event for 4-Hers to explore and celebrate the holidays with food, fun and friends. Cost: $20/youth. Register by December 1 for a discounted price. Registration required by December 12. Email Jenny to register or call 607-0664-2300.

Successful completion of this course (classroom & driving) provides Tractor and Machinery Certification for youth 14 years and older. This Certification allows youth 14 and up to legally operate tractors and machinery while off the family farm. Farm Safety awareness is a major focus. Cost is $25. Not a 4-H member but want to take the course? You can join for just $10. Call 607-664-2571.