Happenings April 2023

April 2023

Celebrating Diversity Month

Meet the Pollinators: Bumblebees and Their Queen

Master Gardener Plant Sale - May 13th

What Is The Food System?

Help Provide Free Meals to Putnam County Seniors!

Walk This Way

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Celebrating Diversity Month

April is Celebrate Diversity Month, a time to honor the unique cultures, backgrounds, and rich traditions that comprise our networks, workplaces, and society. Celebrating diversity not only boosts cultural awareness but most importantly opens the opportunity for us to be curious about one another and create spaces of inclusion where people feel valued.

It’s important to remember that diversity goes beyond external factors such as gender and race. There is a richness of diversity of thought, experience, and perspective that deserves to be recognized. By bringing together complex and diverse individuals, organizations and social environments can thrive because more perspectives are brought to the forefront where critical conversations can take place. Promoting diversity within our personal and professional lives is instrumental in fostering an enriching environment for everyone.

"Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) has a strong, ongoing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in our work to serve an increasingly diverse New York State population. We affirm and remain committed to actively creating and sustaining a culture of belonging that embraces a diverse workforce, volunteer base and program audiences. We recognize that personal and collective action is required to move our vision of belonging from the aspirational to the everyday experience of all members of our community. In doing so, we tirelessly strive to foster an organizational climate of belonging where individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences can fully contribute and thrive.

We firmly believe that an emphasis on belonging in CCE’s strategic planning will maximize our capacity to create and innovate as we best serve the emerging needs of communities throughout New York State." - Excerpt from the Cornell Cooperative Extension Director's Statement of Commitment to Diversity from the 2020 CCE Association Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion Plan

Credit: Rawpixel

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Meet the Pollinators: Bumblebees and Their Queen

By Jill Eisenstein, Master Gardener Volunteer

After winter hibernation, a mated and hungry queen bumblebee emerges with a solitary mission: start a new hive. She is a perfect match for ephemeral Dutchman’s breeches ( Dicentra cucullaria). This flower and bumblebee queen fit together like puzzle pieces in a grand design.

Any bumblebee observed in early spring is undoubtedly a queen bumblebee. She is strong enough to fly in cool weather and low light conditions. Besides spring ephemerals, she visits apple, serviceberry, and other tree blossoms. She works alone, gathering nectar and pollen, laying eggs, then rearing a brood of all female workers to take over the daily job of foraging.

There are nearly 50 species of native bumblebees ( Bombus spp. ) in North America. The bees are mostly black and yellow, round, and hairy with short wings. They are one of the few native bees that are “social” rather than “solitary”, meaning they live in colonies. Despite having a colony to protect, worker bumblebees are usually docile and seem uninterested in stinging.

Bumblebees are generalists, pollinating many different flowers and crops from late spring through summer, including berries, cucumbers, peppers…and even tomatoes! How? They have perfected a special technique called “buzz pollination” where they grasp the anther of the flower and vibrate their wing muscles to literally shake the pollen from the flower.

Late in the season, the queen lays another brood of bees which, unfertilized, are all males. Then she lays female eggs for new queens. Once the new queen bees emerge and mate, they begin immediately to look for hibernation sites. The entire bumblebee colony from that year dies off in late fall, leaving just the new mated queens to start new colonies in the spring. If even one of these queens dies, a whole colony remains unborn.

Many bumblebees are listed as endangered, vulnerable, or threatened. Want to help them?

Give them healthy food. Bumblebees get all their food from flowers. To provide the best nutrition, consider native plants. Plant flowers that will bloom successively from spring through fall. For ideas, see our bloom chart . The link to the chart is also on the left side of the Putnam Pollinator Pathway Page .

Eliminate pesticides. Ask your local nursery to make sure that no systemic or other pesticides were used on the plants you are purchasing. This includes granular applications in nursery pots, or in sprays applied to bedding plants. Instead of pesticides in your landscape or garden, try companion planting, attracting natural predators of your pests, or using low-residual pesticides like horticultural soaps or oils. For ideas, see this helpful publication.

P rovide hibernation and nesting sites by leaving some part of your yard a little wild and brushy. Don’t mow or rake there to give the new queens places to hibernate and spots to establish new colonies in the spring. Learn more about the details of leaving hibernation sites.

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Master Gardener Plant Sale - May 13th

Join us for our annual Master Gardener Plant Sale on Saturday, May 13, 2023! The plant sale will feature a huge selection of heirloom and hybrid vegetable plants picked by Master Gardeners for Putnam County gardens. The sale will also include favorites such as colorful annuals, perennials, native pollinator plants and herbs.

Load up on Butterfly Weed and Oakleaf hydrangeas to bring vibrant colors to your garden. Or maybe the classic Italian heirloom tomato paste variety “Coure de Toro”, or disease resistant “Rutgers” classic tomato!

Beautiful pre-planted container gardens, hanging baskets and gardening gifts will be available for that perfect Mother’s Day present.

Cornell trained Master Gardener Volunteers will be on hand to answer questions about planting, nurturing, and harvesting to help Putnam gardeners prepare for a successful growing season. Soil testing will again be offered this year, so interested gardeners are encouraged to bring samples of their garden soil.

This year’s sale will include a variety of hands-on 4-H activities for children, including face painting/tattoos, creepy critters, and several Mother’s Day Make & Take crafts from 9:30 – 12:30 organized by Putnam County 4-H youth and volunteers.

The event will be held rain or shine in a covered pavilion at Putnam Veterans Memorial Park, 201 Gipsy Trail Road, Carmel, NY, 8:30AM to 12:30PM. 

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What Is The Food System?

What is the food system?!? Look at your meal today, how many different individuals were involved with getting the meal to your plate? Raised the beef? How were those vegetables kept fresh? The answer to these questions is found in our food system.

The food system includes all the steps AND individuals included in food production, distribution, processing, marketing, purchasing, consumption, and waste recovery.

Food systems include the nuts and bolts of what it takes to move food from point A to point B along a supply chain. From labor and transportation to policies and climate, many factors influence how food gets from the farm to your fork. Food systems can widely vary at local, regional, national, or international levels.

Currently, the food system has massive impacts on climate change and greenhouse gases, produces large amounts of foods that are nutritionally deficient, and shockingly, 35% of the food produced in the United States gets wasted. (USDA) With COVID, we’ve seen the food system fall apart, with food prices skyrocketing, empty shelves, and mile-long lines at food pantries. The current national food system just isn’t working.

So what’s the alternative? A resilient, local food system. Local food systems support the local economy, jobs, and businesses. The food and agriculture system employs 10% of all New Yorkers. (USDA) Local food systems help maintain local farmland, when farmers can profit from food production, they’re less likely to sell it off for development. Local food systems promote a more traceable and safer food supply.

In summary, a better food system can increase the number of nutrient-dense foods available, strengthen agricultural communities, and feed those who cannot afford to cover the costs of food.

Putnam County has the highest cost of living in the state, at over $11,000 per month for a two-adult, two-child household. (United Way) Due to these incredibly high costs, 1 out of 3 Putnam households are struggling to make ends meet, even while employed . (United Way)

This is where the work of Cornell Cooperative Extension comes in -- to address, strengthen, and improve the food system in Putnam County to make sure every individual has access to food that is nourishing, culturally appropriate, and sustainably produced.

Photo: University of Missouri Extension

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Help Provide Free Meals to Putnam County Seniors!

Our Bountiful Meals program has been an outstanding success getting nutritious meals into the hands of seniors, but existing funding for the program is exhausted. While we wait for grants to be announced, we want to continue being able to provide free meals to Putnam County senior centers – but we can’t do it without your help.

Bountiful Meals provides free meals to Putnam County seniors by paying local farmers to grow nutritious produce, paying local food processor Second Chance Foods to work their magic and prepare the produce and proteins into delicious meals, and directly offering these meals at Bountiful Meals freezers in senior center lobbies.

Your sponsorship will help provide more meals like Spiced Tomato Soup and Turmeric Roasted Chicken with Sweet Potatoes to seniors in need! Donate online at http://weblink.donorperfect.com/bountifulmeals

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Walk this Way!

(FN578, Reviewed August 2022)

Regular physical activity helps protect against cardiovascular disease and its risk factors: hypertension, obesity and diabetes mellitus. It also can reduce risk of osteoporosis, reduce stress and improve sleep and overall mood. This publication shares tips on walking to get fit and stay healthy. It includes a sample walking program.

Lead Author:

Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., R.D., L.R.D., Food and Nutrition Specialist

Donna Terbizan, Ph.D., Professor, Health, Physical Education and Recreation

REASONS TO GET MOVING

Do you remember when the rules for physical activity were “no pain, no gain”? Ideas about physical activity have changed dramatically, but the health benefits remain.

Regular physical activity helps protect against cardiovascular disease and its risk factors: hypertension, obesity and diabetes mellitus. It also can reduce risk of osteoporosis, reduce stress and improve sleep and overall mood.

Recent research shows that most people who begin a physical activity program do so to control their weight or improve their fitness level, health or appearance. After about a year, they continue exercising for the mood improvement.

IT’S NOT A FOOTRACE

The U. S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends accumulating a total of 30 minutes of moderate activity on five or more days a week. The USDA recommends that people have a target of taking 10,000 steps each day. While that goal may not be feasible for beginners, don’t feel discouraged. Take time to build up to these recommendations by setting smaller, bite-sized goals. The good news for many people is that moderate physical activity doesn’t necessarily mean sweating in an aerobics class.

A brisk walk, gardening, raking leaves, shoveling snow or washing windows can help you toward the 30-minute goal, even when done in 10-minute segments. The Surgeon General’s Report suggests doing physical activity that burns at least 150 calories/day or 1000 calories/week.

According to a recent national study, two-thirds of American adults fall short of this goal. More men, highly educated and younger adults met the recommendations than women, ethnic minorities, less educated and older adults.

ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, GO

You don’t need to drive to a gym or empty your wallet to buy special equipment. Try walking. It’s an easy, safe activity that can make you feel and look better. Besides, your only expense is a pair of shoes. Why not begin a regular walking program today?

Choose your shoes wisely.

A comfortable pair of shoes with good arch support is the only special equipment you need. When buying walking shoes, shop late in the day when your feet may be swollen. Measure both feet. For proper fit, be sure there’s a thumbnail’s width between the tip of your longest toe and the edge of the toe box.

Wear appropriate socks, and walk around the store in both shoes. Try on several pairs of shoes and compare fit and comfort. If they still feel comfortable after at least 10 minutes and they fit your budget, you may want to walk over to the cashier.

Dress for safety and for the season.

For visibility, wear light-colored clothes and always walk facing oncoming traffic. In cooler weather, opt for several layers of clothes so you can shed layers if you get too warm. If icy, wear shoes with a good grip. Wear a cap to help maintain body temperature.

Warm up and cool down.

Warm up your muscles before working out. Limber up your muscles with some “static stretching” — a continuous stretch just to the point where you feel a slight pull. Ballistic stretching, which is a repetitive bouncing type of stretching, is not recommended.

To warm up, start slowly during the first five or 10 minutes of your activity, then increase your pace. During the last five or 10 minutes, slow your pace to cool down. Stretching again will help prevent sore muscles.

Continue with at least three exercise sessions during each week of the program.

	Warm up	Target zone exercising	Cool down	Total time
Week 1	Walk slowly 5 min.	Then walk briskly 5 min.	Then walk slowly 5 min.	15 min.
Week 2	Walk slowly 5 min.	Walk briskly 7 min.	Walk slowly 5 min.	17 min.
Week 3	Walk slowly 5 min.	Walk briskly 9 min.	Walk slowly 5 min.	19 min.
Week 4	Walk slowly 5 min.	Walk briskly 11 min.	Walk slowly 5 min.	21 min.
Week 5	Walk slowly 5 min.	Walk briskly 13 min.	Walk slowly 5 min.	23 min.
Week 6	Walk slowly 5 min.	Walk briskly 15 min.	Walk slowly 5 min.	25 min.
Week 7	Walk slowly 5 min.	Walk briskly 18 min.	Walk slowly 5 min.	28 min.
Week 8	Walk slowly 5 min.	Walk briskly 20 min.	Walk slowly 5 min.	30 min.
Week 9	Walk slowly 5 min.	Walk briskly 23 min.	Walk slowly 5 min.	33 min.
Week 10	Walk slowly 5 min.	Walk briskly 26 min.	Walk slowly 5 min.	36 min.
Week 11	Walk slowly 5 min.	Walk briskly 28 min.	Walk slowly 5 min.	38 min.
Week 12	Walk slowly 5 min.	Walk briskly 30 min.	Walk slowly 5 min.	40 min.

Bring a water bottle and drink frequently.

When you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. Many experts recommend drinking a half-cup of water every 15 minutes while being physically active.

Pace yourself. Find a comfortable speed.

Take the talk test: if you can’t talk while exercising, slow down. If you feel pain, dizziness, nausea, or other symptoms — STOP. If the problem persists, check with your physician.

Making Time To Walk

Life is busy, and finding time for a walk can seem complicated—but it doesn’t have to be. There are many ways people can incorporate extra steps into their day.

• Park further away from the entrance to a workplace, school or grocery store.
• Walk with friends in the neighborhood or take a walk while chatting on the phone.
• Suggest a walking meeting at work rather than sitting in an office.
• Take the stairs instead of riding in an elevator.
• Get outside with the family or your furry friend for an after-dinner stroll.
• Walk with a buddy or listen to tapes or a recorded book.
• Stay motivated!

If you’re just beginning to exercise, try the pattern listed in the Sample Beginning Walking Program developed by the National Institute of Health. This pattern was developed for the novice walker. You may progress more quickly, so follow your own capabilities.

Before beginning any exercise program, it is recommended that you consult with your physician.

Reviewed November 2017

https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/publications/walk-way

Photo by Mikhail Nilov: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-woman-listening-to-music-while-walking-8455303/

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Last updated March 30, 2023