September 2024 | Vol. 16 Issue 9

Mark your calendars for Farm Trail Day 2024!

If you have a farm and are interested in participating in a day full of agritourism this event is for you.

Questions? Reach out to Melissa at mle75@cornell.edu

Check out the promo video here!

Did you suffer damage or loss from the recent storms and flash flooding?

The USDA has designated various counties in New York State as primary and contiguous disaster areas due to losses caused by a tornado hurricane, high winds, flash floods, and excessive ran that occurred from July 10^th through July 16^th, 2024.

Primary NY Counties (7): Cortland, Lewis, Seneca, Wyoming, Erie, Ontario, Tompkins

Contiguous Counties (23): Alleghany, Chemung, Livingston, Onondaga, Steuben, Broome, Chenango, Madison, Oswego, Tioga, Cattaraugus, Genesee, Monroe, St. Lawrence, Wayne, Cayuga, Herkimer, Niagara, Schuyler, Yates, Chautauqua, Jefferson, Oneida Lawrence

Producers can identify what programs they may qualify for by finding more information at our agency link: https://agriculture.ny.gov/emergency-management

All counties in our region are eligible for FSA emergency loans. Our local FSA offices can help you determine eligibility, funding maximum, and complete the process.

Steuben County farms should contact the USDA FSA Bath Service Center, 607-776-7398.

Photo: Mark Squires' flooded potato field in Prattsburgh. (Spectrum News 1/Emily Kenny)

Agritourism Workshops Monthly!

Are you thinking of starting an agritourism business or are you currently operating one?

Join the monthly lunch-hour, workshop virtual series and learn how to grow your agritourism business!

Each session will focus on specific topic to help aspiring agritourism entrepreneurs grow their knowledge and profit through this exciting on-farm business.

Pre-registration Required: Register for the Zoom Webinar here!

Price: Free

All workshops will be recorded and links shared. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Sponsor: Cornell Cooperative Extension Agritourism Program Work Team

2024 Schedule:

September 10: Handling Difficult Customers

October 8: Creating Value-Added

Items/Experiences

November 12: Implementing Outdoor Recreation on the Farm

Please contact Lindsey Pashow lep67@cornell.edu or 518-569-3073 with any questions.

As Fall Approaches...

Remember to check out all the local options on Finger Lakes Farm Country (FLFC).

The Fall Apple and Pumpkin Harvest Tour shows a map highlighting some sources for fall fun. Some farms grow a variety of tree fruits that may start ripening for harvest soon so check around for what you are looking for. Agritourism options are also plentiful in our region, check them out here.

From lunch at a restaurant offering farm-to-table to various on farm experiences, you can plan a fun day centered around Steuben County Agriculture right from Finger Lakes Farm Country.

Farm producers and agritourism business owners, don't forget to list your events with FLFC! If you aren't a listed producer/farm and would like to be,

Complete The Participation Form

Or if you have questions about Finger Lakes Farm Country please contact Kevin Peterson at kpeterson@corningfingerlakes.com or call 607-936-6544.

What's Bugging You?

Join Live, on the first Friday of every month from Noon to 12:30 EST on Zoom.

Each month, experts will share practical information and answer questions on using integrated pest management (IPM) to avoid pest problems and promote a healthy environment where you live, work, learn and play. We’ll end with an IPM Minute and cover a specific action you can take in the next few days to help you avoid pest problems.

September 6: Back to School: Bed Bugs - Head Lice

October 4: Identifying Pests in Your Home

November 1: 2024 Tick Blitz Results - No Spray Needed

December 6: Feed the Birds - Repurposing a Holiday Tree

Fall Bounty

As September rolls in and summer fades to fall, don’t forget about this season’s bounty of fruits and vegetables that can help keep your body going through the winter. Vegetables such as pumpkins, squashes, and brussels sprouts bring with them nutrients like vitamin A and C, which can support your eye health and immunity. Autumn fruits like the many varieties of apples and pears that are available contain fiber and vitamin C, as well. Fiber aides in digestion and helps maintain stable blood sugar levels. Enjoy a hearty soup or a spicy chili; by incorporating these fall harvest crops into your menu, you can enjoy a nutritious boost while cozying up with the comforting tastes of the season. Check out the following recipes to help you incorporate fall produce:

Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

Butternut Harvest Chili

Brussels Sprouts with Apples and Maple Syrup

Cinnamon Baked Pears

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

Sources: foodhero.org/monthly

Why Join 4-H! View Below

2024 4-H Summer Showcase Recap

Click here to learn more!

Mark your calendars & tell your friends!

The 10th Southern Tier Women's Financial Conference is coming.

Useful Links

Check out all of our publications here!

County Enrollment, Subscription, and Support

The Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program with Cornell Cooperative Extension offers educational programming and research based information to agricultural producers, growers, and agribusinesses in the five county region of Southwestern New York.

Our specialists work with Cornell Faculty and Extension Educators statewide to address the issues that impact the agricultural industry and provide services to farms of all sizes and production techniques. The educational programming and support that we offer ranges from workshops to on-farm events, and includes one-on-one consultations. Our program is designed to meet the rapidly changing needs of our region's diverse agricultural community.

For more information, contact any of the specialists.

Please support CCE Steuben by signing up for their enrollment programs.

Reach out to CCE-Steuben at 607-664-2300 and ask about enrollment.

The enrollment form can be found online, here.

The Cornell Vegetable Program works with Cornell faculty and Extension educators to address the issues that impact the New York vegetable industry. The team offers educational programs and information to growers, processors, and agribusiness professionals in pest management, variety evaluation, cultural practices, market development, and farm food safety.

Cornell Vegetable Program Specialists expertise includes processing vegetables, fresh market vegetables, weed science, soil health, food safety, organic, marketing, greenhouses and high tunnels.

To read the Vegetable Programs 2022 Year in Review, click HERE. Learn more about the specialists HERE.

To enroll click here.

The Finger Lakes Grape Program (FLGP) is a regional extension program of Cornell Cooperative Extension serving the grape and wine industry of the Finger Lakes.

The staff of the Finger Lakes Grape Program is committed to providing grape growers in the Finger Lakes and beyond with cutting edge, research-based information to help them improve the productivity and sustainability of their vineyards and the quality of the fruit that they produce. We work with researchers and extension staff from Cornell and other institutions to create informative extension materials and programs that help to keep grape growing a viable and profitable industry that enhances the communities of the Finger Lakes and upstate New York.

Learn more about the specialist HERE.

To enroll click here.