Eat Smart NY Newsletter Archives

bmj9 — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:49:18 +0000

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Agriculture

bmj9 — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:13:10 +0000

Mission:

To provide high quality educational programs that address the needs of local farmers, horticulturists, foresters and homeowners in Herkimer County.

Objectives:

Increase the competitiveness and profitability of commercial agricultural enterprises.
Encourage effective marketing strategies for agricultural products.
Provide clientele with the most recent information possible relating to their area of interest.
Promote the adoption of environmentally sound practices by producers and consumers alike.

The agricultural program of CCE Herkimer County is comprised of two main tracts. The first of these deals specifically with local issues which include consumer agriculture and horticulture, small livestock, natural resources and agricultural economic development. The most recent initiatives in ag. economic development have included the adoption of a Farmland Protection Plan, the involvement of planners and administrators in forming the Mohawk Valley Agricultural Region, dedicated to attracting newcomers to farming in a seven county area, and the creation of a local group involved in garlic and herb farming.

Dairy farming remains the mainstay of agricultural production in Herkimer County, with $47 million in sales generated annually. The Central New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops team provides high quality educational programs that address the needs of commercial agricultural producers in Chenango, Fulton, Montgomery, Herkimer, Schoharie and Otsego counties. The team includes a dairy and livestock Specialist and a Field Crops Specialist working in the six-county region. Educational activities provided by the Team to the agricultural community emphasize not only technical subject matter but also resource management and problem solving. Achieving profitability while meeting personal and business goals is stressed.

Link here to go to the CNY Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops website:
http://cnydairylc.cce.cornell.edu/

Farm Family Assistance Project

2009 marks the eleventh year of a unique partnership between Cornell Cooperative Extension of Herkimer County, NY FarmNet, and Herkimer County Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Services. The purpose of the collaboration has been to provide improved support and assistance to the Herkimer County farm community affected by the stresses of operating a farm business and farm life.

In 2009 the focus of the year was printing the third edition of the “Herkimer County Farm Produce and Tourism Map” which was made possible in conjunction with a grant from Herkimer County Mental Health Services. Copies are available at the Cornell Cooperative Extension office in East Herkimer.

Click here for a pdf of this map, which lists many farms, recreational and historical sights of Herkimer County.

Click here to go the Community Walk webpage featuring an interactive map of the Herkimer County Farm Produce & Tourism Map

Local Farmers’ Markets

bmj9 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:08:40 +0000

Clinton: Village Green, downtown Thursday 11 am – 5 pm
Cooperstown: Pioneer Alley, 101 Main St. – Saturday 8 am – 2 pm
Dolgeville: Municipal lot, between Kinneys & M&T Bank – Friday 8 am – noon
Herkimer: Aubuchon Hardware lot, 105 Caroline St. – Thursday 8 am – 1 pm
Little Falls: M&T Bank lot, Albany St. – Saturday 8 am – noon
Old Forge: Park Ave, between Crosby & Lamberton St – Friday 2 pm – 6 pm
Kuyahoora: Parking lot behind Post Office, Rte 8N in Poland – Wednesday 2:30 – 6:30 pm
Richfield Springs: Spring Park, Thursday 2 pm – 6 pm & – Saturday 8 am – 1 pm
Trenton: Village Green, Holland Patent – Saturday 9 am – 1 pm
Utica: Chancellor Park on Bleecker St. – Wednesday 8 am – 5 pm

Click on the name of the market to bring you to MapQuest for driving directions.

See where the markets are located on the “Herkimer County Farm Produce & Tourism Map”! Click here for a pdf of this map

Click here for the Community Walk webpage featuring an interactive map of the “Herkimer County Farm Produce & Tourism Map”

Soil Sampling

bmj9 — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:59:35 +0000

DIRECTIONS FOR TAKING SOIL SAMPLES

Sample To The Proper Depth:

Areas which will be rototilled/turned under.
If the area to be sampled will be rototilled or turned under before planting you want to take a soil sample from the tillage depth. This depth is usually 6-10 inches but could be greater. The tillage depth is important because this is the depth that you will be able to mix in the needed limestone before planting/seeding.

Established lawns.
A sample from the top 2-4 inches of soil is satisfactory. Thatch, grass, and other debris should not be included with the soil sample. Please remove this debris before placing soil in the zip-lock bag or container.

Established Tree/Small Fruits, Landscape Trees/Shrubs, Annual, Perennial and Bulb Gardens.
A surface soil sample from the top 8 inches is satisfactory. For deep-rooted trees, shrubs and fruit crops a sub-soil sample taken from the 8-24 inch depth is often taken in addition to the surface sample. Deep-rooted plants depend on soil at these depths for nutrients.

Compost, potting mixtures, topsoil piles.
Each batch of soil/compost should be sampled separately. Be sure compost, potting mixtures or soil has been thoroughly mixed.

Obtain A Representative Sample:
Each soil sample should be a representative sample consisting of the soil from cores taken randomly at several places across the garden, lawn, etc. This should minimize any spot in the area, which is non-uniform to the overall area. Walk diagonally across the area to be sampled and take a core from 10-15 random locations spaced evenly apart over the entire area. Each core taken from the area to be sampled is placed into the clean plastic pail. When all cores are obtained mix them thoroughly then remove two 8-ounce cupfuls of soil and place both of these in a single clean plastic bag/container and identify it with a marker (i.e. #1, letter A, etc.).

How Many Samples Are Needed:
In most cases only one sample is needed for a single lawn, garden, etc. This holds true as long as the soil texture and previous limestone and fertilizer applications have been the same. A separate sample should be taken from areas where this is not true, where problems exists, soil types are different or where plants with different pH requirements are growing or will be grown.

Planning for Weather-Related Emergencies

bmj9 — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:34:59 +0000

Emergency Food Supply – 3 Days
Emergency Generator Safety
Perparing Food During a Power Failure
Preparing an Emergency Food Supply – Short Term Food Storage
Preparing an Emergency Food Supply – Long Term Food Storage
Preparing an Emergency Food Supply – Storing Water Supplies

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Calendar

bmj9 — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:01:46 +0000

Click on the icon below to go to the CCE Herkimer Google Calendar

4-H Club Maintenance

bmj9 — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:07:45 +0000

Club Secretary Reports are due to the 4-H Office the 5th of every month.

Traditional Club Secretary Report Form
Cloverbud Club Leader Monthly Report Form

Club Planning

4-H Program Planning Sheet

Year End Completion

4-H Traditional Member Year-End Completion 2009
4-H Traditional-Independant Member Year-End Completion 2009
Cloverbud Year-End Completion 2009
4-H Club Year-End Completion 2009

Enrollment (new members only ~ re-enrolling members must contact the 4-H Office to obtain a re-enrollment form)

Blank Enrollment Form-(new members)
Member Acknowledgment of Risk and Code of Conduct 2009
Volunteer Code of Conduct 2009
Permission Slip and Medical Release (for leaders to keep)

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4-H Youth Development

bmj9 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:49:18 +0000

Mission:

The purpose of the 4-H Youth Development Program is to enable youth to develop knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes and behaviors to be competent, caring adults.

4-H creates innovative programs to meet the evolving need of your county youth. 4-H involves youth in self-determined, “hands-on” learning activities such as workforce skills, citizenship, public speaking and other local areas. Youth use their own learning styles and participate at their own pace in a wide variety of projects and activities.

Youth ages 5-19 are involved in 4-H to develop relationships that inspire people to voluntarily help themselves and others as they interact with caring adult volunteers and peers.

4-H provides educational and fun opportunities for youth in five distinctive delivery modes. These include: Community 4-H Clubs, 4-H School Enrichment, 4-H Special Interest, Networking & Coalitions, & 4-H Camp. Local volunteer leaders partner with 4-H staff to provide direct leadership and educational support to young people throughout the county.

For more information on starting a 4-H Club in your area, please call the 4-H Office 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday.

A 4-H Facts newsletter is published throughout the year that describes the many educational events and opportunities available to volunteers and youth. View past issues here.

Click here to go to the New York State 4-H website

4-H is a community of young people across America who are
learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.

Herkimer Outdoors

bmj9 — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:00:50 +0000

This newsletter is published six times a year and is available by subscription to area consumers.

Archives:

January/February 2008
March/April 2008
May/June 2008
July/August 2008
September/October 2008
November/December 2008

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Herkimer County Living Newsletter

bmj9 — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:37:35 +0000

Published six times a year, this newsletter is for area consumers with current information related to home and family.

Archives:

January/February 2008
March/April 2008
May/June 2008
July/August 2008
September/October 2008
November/December 2008

January / February 2007
March / April 2007
May / June 2007
July / August 2007
September / October 2007
November / December 2007

January / February 2006
March 2006
April 2006
May / June 2006
July / August 2006
September 2006
October 2006
November / December 2006

To view these newsletters, you must have a pdf reader installed on your computer…To get the latest version of Adobe Reader, click here