February 2022 | Vol. 14 Issue 2 |
|
We provide programming in four major areas: |
|
We think you're the best, New York! |
|
Ever wonder what your CCE local office REALLY thinks of you? We asked staff all across the state to describe the folks they work with and what they revealed was not surprising... New York State residents are wonderful!
Our passion is building strong families, communities, and economies and we couldn't do that without you. Thank you for being part of our work this past year.
|
|
Free Masks and Kits!
We have KN95 Masks and COVID-19 test kits at our office that were given to us to distribute from Steuben County Public Health. Please contact us at 607-664-2300 or email amz65@cornell.edu if you would like us to put some aside for you. You can also stop into our office at the Steuben County Building Annex at 20 East Morris Street in Bath.
|
|
 |
FLSBN HR Lead Manager: Provides high-level leadership and human resources operations management and guidance for all seven county extension associations which make up the Finger Lakes Shared Business Network (FLSBN): Livingston, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, and Yates.
Applications accepted ONLINE ONLY no later than February 17th.
|
|
|
|
FLSBN IT Lead Manager: Provides high level IT expertise, leadership, direction, management and coordination of information technology (IT) operations of the Finger Lakes Shared Business Network which includes Livingston, Ontario, Seneca, Schuyler, Steuben, Wayne, and Yates counties.
Applications accepted ONLINE ONLY no later than February 10th.
|
|
|
|
Adirondack Harvest and CCE Essex just published the first video of a series that they are doing to highlight institutions in North Country communities supporting local food systems.
Their goal is to inspire other large organizations to buy and serve more local food and support farmers in their communities.
|
|
Welcome to our suggestion box. We use your feedback to improve our services. We will not ask for your name or personal information.
|
|
Join our team!
We are hiring an Agriculture Educator
|
|
Would you like to make a difference in Steuben County by supporting our farmers and the general public with agriculture education?
This position serves as the Agriculture Educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Steuben County and provides program development, implementation and administrative direction, management and coordination to the Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Local Foods Programs. This position plans, develops, coordinates and implements programming and program activities that enhances the economic viability of agriculture and agribusinesses within the county. This position also evaluates and analyzes the impact of programs using a variety of assessment tools and interprets evaluation data to help guide future program offerings.
|
|
Are you a farmer impacted by flooding in the Summer of 2021? Two loans are available in Steuben County... |
|
Notice has been given that Steuben and other counties were given a natural disaster designation for the flooding events that occurred in August 2021.
|
|
Agriculture Literacy Week is March 21-25, 2022
Help us get this year's book to schools in Steuben County
|
|
Every year in the month of March, elementary schools and libraries across New York State are invited to participate in a fun and exciting project called Agriculture Literacy Week.
Through New York Agriculture in the Classroom, a partnership between NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, NYS Education Department, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Cornell University, and the NY Farm Bureau, elementary school children learn about the importance of agriculture in our daily lives and the significance of farming and farmworkers across all genre of agribusinesses.
The 2022 book is Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table, written by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and art by Eric-Shabazz Larkin. This book will take students on an explorative journey learn about community gardens and inspire them to build communities through food, even if they only have a pot on their porch to cultivate.
Will Allen is no ordinary farmer. A former basketball star, he's as tall as his truck, and he can hold a cabbage, or a basketball, in one hand. But what is most special about Farmer Will is that he can see what others can't see. When he looked at an abandoned city lot he saw a huge table, big enough to feed the whole world. No space, no problem. Poor soil, there's a solution. Need help, found it. Farmer Will is a genius in solving problems.
The book will be donated to school or classroom libraries around Steuben County with a bookplate recognizing the donor and our celebration of New York Agricultural Literacy Week. Please help us make sure schools can receive this book by donating $12 for each book that we will distribute.
|
|
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.
Register to join CCE, Penn State Extension, and NY & PA Farm Bureaus for a four-part series: Navigating the Leasing Process of Utility-Scale and Community Solar in New York and Pennsylvania. Sessions will be held February 2 and 23 and March 16 and 23.
|
|
Preparing for and Accessing Wool Pools Webinar
February 8 7:00 p.m.
|
|
This event will be a conversation on wool pools and what makes quality wool. There will be two main topics:
1.) NYS Wool Pools
- NYS wool pool locations and times
- Contacting and contributing to NYS wool pools
- Options when wool pools are far away
2.) Understanding Wool Quality from a Wool Buyer's Perspective
- What is quality wool?
- What is properly packaged wool?
- What affects raw wool pricing?
|
|
The following events and workshops were recently listed in our Agriculture News. For more information and registration information visit our link to the newsletter here.
Assess Your Farm Business Health within a Farm Financial Peer Learning Circles
Cornell Small Farms Program (CSFP) and Cornell Cooperative Extension are teaming up with diversified farmers like you to analyze your farm's finances and have productive, honest discussions about the state of your business and opportunities for improving your financial outcomes. Submit applications by February 15
Assessing Soil Health Webinar
February 15 10 a.m. to noon
Show Me the Money! What Growers Need to Know about Business Lending
Feb 17 via zoom from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
If you want a lender to show you the money, it helps to understand that business lending is as much art as science. This virtual panel discussion with three lenders is open to anyone who would like to know more about the many factors that lenders consider when deciding to make loans. Attendees can expect practical guidance on how to ascertain whether a lender can meet their needs and how to prepare to meet with a lender. The panel discussion will be followed by audience Q&A as well as time to meet lenders, successful borrowers, and other participants in chat rooms.
Attention FLX Grape Growers - Registration for B.E.V. NY is Open!
Tuesday, March 29 – Thursday, March 31, 2022
Time to put this year’s B.E.V. NY conference on your calendar and get signed up to attend! After a lot of conversation and consideration (and input from some of you as well), we have decided that we are going to hold this year’s conference as a fully virtual event again, as we did in 2021.
The New York Farm Show will be Thursday through Saturday, February 24-26 in Syracuse, NY at the NYS Fair Grounds
Free tickets are available at the CCE Steuben office. The New York Farm Show is the leading farm show in the Northeast since 1985. The show hosts more than 400 exhibitors displaying the latest in farm equipment, tractors, combines and farm implements; seed and crop protection products; farm supplies and services, dairy and beef production, woodlot and related industry supplies.
Check out some of these Zoom classes from Cornell Small Farms!
Click on the titles to register
Thursdays: February 25 – April 1, 2021
Grazing is more than simply turning livestock out onto a green pasture and hoping for the best. With sound grazing management, you can reduce workload, keep animals happier and healthier, and improve the overall productivity and profitability of your farm.
Tuesdays: February 22 – March 29, 2022
Mushrooms are an emerging niche crop and can easily be grown. This course trains new and experienced farmers in the background, techniques, marketing and economics of farm scale indoor commercial production.
Wednesdays: February 23 – March 30, 2022
Tree fruit are an important component of the agricultural and homeowner landscape. This course trains beginning tree fruit growers in fundamental concepts in orchard planning and management.
Mondays: February 21 – March 28, 2022
The health and productivity of the soil forms the basis for any farm’s success, profitability, and ecological sustainability. Be a successful farmer by developing a holistic approach to preserving and building soil health and fertility through this course.
Mondays: February 21 – March 28, 2022
Are you trying to navigate the legalities of owning a farm? This course helps early stage farmers assess and manage a variety of risks that they will face, including the business, tax, and regulatory implications of your farm.
|
|
Financial & Consumer Education News |
|
The Great Debate: Wills versus Trusts
February 9, 2022, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
|
|
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 Wednesday, February 9 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.
The workshop is free, but registration is required. Please call Cornell Cooperative Extension at 607-664-2300 to reserve a space.
|
|
Estate Administration Survival Guide:
What you need to know after the death of a loved one
February 23, 2022, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
|
|
The loss of a loved one is always difficult. If you are named as the Executor of the decedent’s estate, your legal duties compound the difficulty and could leave you feeling lost. If you want to know what needs to be done after the death of a loved one, join us in a free informational workshop called The Estate Administration Survival Guide: The Probate Process on Wednesday, February 23, from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the Dormann Library, 101 W. Morris St., Bath.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Steuben County again partners with Patrick Roth, Elder Law Attorney, CPA from Corning, to lead this workshop. He will help you:
- Learn about various types of estate administration and when each is used.
- Discover the steps that occur in every estate administration.
- Learn the three “T’s” of estate administration (Taxes, Time and Tolls).
- Discover what you can do now to make the process easier for your loved ones after you pass away.
To register for your free space in this class, call 607-664-2300
|
|
AMERICA SAVES WEEK IS FEBRUARY 21 - 25, 2022
THEME: BUILDING FINANCIAL RESILIENCE
|
|
WHAT IS AMERICA SAVES WEEK?
Since 2007 America Saves Week has been an annual celebration as well as a call to action for everyday Americans to commit to saving successfully. Through the support of thousands of participating organizations, together we encourage individuals to do a financial check-in that allows them to get a clear view of the finances, set savings goals, and create a plan to achieve them.
DURING THE WEEK, WE'LL BE FOCUSING ON THE FOLLOWING THEMES:
- Monday, February 21, 2022 | Save Automatically
- Tuesday, February 22, 2022 | Save for the Unexpected
- Wednesday, February 23, 2022 | Save to Retire
- Thursday, February 24, 2022 | Save by Reducing Debt
- Friday, February 25, 2022 | Save as a Family
Here’s what we know: Over the past two years, we’ve all experienced some significant setbacks. Currently, most everyday Americans, particularly low-to-moderate income earners, are focused on recovering from the economic effects of the pandemic. That’s why America Saves Week 2022 has one single focus: Building Financial Resilience.
Being financially resilient is more than having access to money; it includes being conscious of your own financial landscape, being aware of available resources, and being willing to seek out and take advantage of opportunities that will support and increase your financial wellness.
Just like in past years, America Saves Week will be a time to do a financial check-in to get a clear view of your finances.
Register For Our Upcoming Virtual Town Hall
#ThinkLikeASaver: 5 Ways To Make Saving Easier
Join members of the America Saves team, along with industry experts, as we discuss some very simple ways and mindset shifts that make saving less daunting.
As always, Savers who participate will be eligible to win one of five $500 cash prizes. You can also take advantage of free financial coaching and counseling, thanks to a partnership with our friends at AFCPE and the Coordinated Assistance Network.
|
|
CCE Steuben's Roadmap to Financial Success series can help you manage your finances all year long. |
|
Inflation is soaring and 2022 will likely be another tough year financially for many folks. 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 is designed to be a year-long training in that you can tackle one topic per 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.
|
|
We're Hiring! Join the SNAP-Ed New York Team and Make a Difference!
|
|
The SNAP-Ed New York – Southern Finger Lakes Region is currently seeking a SNAP-Ed NY Nutritionist to be based out of the CCE Steuben office in Bath, NY. This position is responsible for leading the delivery and implementation of nutrition education programming to improve healthy food and lifestyle choices among SNAP-eligible families and individuals encompassing all age groups within Steuben County.
If you have experience in nutrition, community or health education, or public health and are looking for an opportunity to make a difference in your community, consider joining our team today!
Learn more about this position and apply here! Applications will be accepted through February 22.
|
|
Live Healthy, Stay Young at Heart |
|
American Heart Month is recognized during the month of February. With heart disease being the leading cause of death among Americans, February is a great time for all of us to make a point to focus on our heart health. Risk factors such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, and being overweight all increase the risk of developing heart disease. Healthy eating and physical activity can help lower or control these risk factors.
The following tips can help us stay heart healthy:
-
Plan to Eat Heart Healthy: Planning ahead helps to make sure you are getting a balance of all of the food groups. Make half your plate fruits and veggies, vary your protein routine, choose low-fat or fat-free dairy, and make half your grains whole. Limit saturated and trans fats, sodium, and added sugars. Grill, steam, or bake instead of frying, and flavor with spices and citrus in place of salt and heavy sauces.
-
Eat Smart: Follow MyPlate recommendations for portion sizes. Practice mindful eating – chew slowly and enjoy the textures and flavors of the foods as you eat.
-
Choose Healthy Snacks: Make your own trail mix with unsalted nuts and add-ins such as seeds, dried fruit, popcorn, or a sprinkle of chocolate chips. Prep ahead in grab-and-go snack bags. Combine food groups - yogurt and berries, apple with peanut butter, or whole-grain crackers with turkey and avocado. Spice up raw vegetables with healthy dips. Try dipping bell peppers, carrots, or cucumbers in hummus, tzatziki, guacamole, or baba ghanoush. Bring ready-to-eat snacks when you’re out, such as a banana, apple, or low-fat string cheese.
-
Dine Out the Healthy Way: It is possible to make healthy choices when dining out. Control portion sizes by taking half of your entrée home. Choose foods that are broiled, grilled, baked, or roasted. Ask for butters, dressings, and sauces on the side.
-
Find Heart Healthy Menus to Enjoy: Check out these recipes from SNAP-Ed NY that will warm you up and keep your heart healthy!
|
|
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 |
|
February is known as American Heart Month® and sodium in food we eat plays an important role in heart health. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 encourages all Americans to choose foods and beverages with less sodium. So what does that mean and how can you start to reduce the amount of sodium your family consumes?
According to the Dietary Guidelines, the average American, aged 1 and older, consumes more than 3,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium each day. The recommended amount of sodium is 2300mg per day for anyone aged 14 and older. Sandwiches make up 21% of the sodium consumed (this includes hot dogs, burritos and tacos) and 8% from mixed rice and pasta dishes (excluding macaroni and cheese) and 5% from pizza. Too much sodium in your diet can increase your blood pressure, cause dehydration, affect how your blood clots and can stiffen your arteries making your heart work harder to get blood pumped around your body.
Follow these tips from MyPlate to reduce sodium in your family’s diet and help keep hearts strong:
-
Read the Nutrition Facts Label. You can see how much sodium is in one serving of the food or beverage and you can use this information to make lower sodium choices.
-
Eat a variety of fresh and frozen (without added sauces) vegetables and fruit. These are very low in sodium. When you choose canned vegetables, rinse them with water before eating or using in a recipe.
-
Look for key words on food packages—brined, cured, salted, pickled all tend to have high amounts of sodium.
-
Make meals at home. Most of the sodium we eat comes from commercial processed and prepared foods and beverages which includes foods prepared at restaurants and take out locations.
-
Pick your flavor. Sodium free herb and spice blends are available in almost any combination you can imagine. Enjoy Mexican, Italian, Jerk or Greek flavors? You’ll find a spice blend for that!
|
|
What's in Season in Winter
Dropping temperatures and shortened days can deplete energy levels and mood. Combat the winter blues by incorporating these produce picks that are in season during winter.
|
|
4-H Youth Development News |
|
4-H Ice Fishing Workshop
February 20 8 - 11 a.m.
Free Fishing Weekend!
Indian Peaks Park Penn Yan
Fishing isn't just for the warm summer months! Join us to learn how to set up and fish on frozen water! Registration is required! .
|
|
2022 Great Backyard Bird Count - February 18 - 21 |
|
What is is? Each February, for four days, the world comes together for the love of birds. Over these four days we invite people to spend time in their favorite places watching and counting as many birds as they can find and reporting them to us. These observations help scientists better understand global bird populations before one of their annual migrations.
How do I participate? Participating is easy, fun to do alone, or with others, and can be done anywhere you find birds.
Step 1 – Decide where you will watch birds.
Step 2 – Watch birds for 15 minutes or more, at least once over the four days, February 18-21, 2022.
Step 3 – Count all the birds you see or hear within your planned time/location and use the best tool for sharing your bird sightings:
· If you are participating as a group, see instructions for Group Counting.
For more information about the GBBC and other birding activities- click here!
|
|
Steuben County 4-H Photo Contest
-February-
Picture Categories:
1) Bird(s)
2) Wildlife (other than birds)
3) Something warm
-Photos are DUE FEBRUARY 18th!
-1 Photo per 4-H Member
-Photos will be uploaded to the Steuben County 4-H Program's Facebook page to be judged.
-Winner will receive a prize!
|
|
New York Farm Bureau Agricultural Youth Scholarship
Available to 2022 High School Graduates
$3,000.00 First Place $2,000.00 Second Place
Application is available at nyfb.org – Promotion & Education Section
Applicant Guidelines
· 2022 graduating High School Seniors who will continue their education to prepare for a career in some way connected to the diverse agricultural industry. This includes advancing their education through college or pursuing advanced training in the skilled trades.
· Live or work on a farm or be involved with agriculture via any avenue.
· Family Farm Bureau membership or Student Farm Bureau membership is required. Students can join as a Student member by visiting www.nyfb.org/membership .
|
|
The 2022 New York Guernsey Calf Scholarship Application
|
|
Save the date for County and State Fair |
|
FLX 4-H Learning Launchpad
Join us for virtual learning sessions on Facebook for a number of 4-H project opportunities.
|
|
Thank you to our sponsors |
|
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Steuben County
20 East Morris Street | Bath, New York 14810
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
