Happenings September 2024

September 2024

A Summer of Abundant Fresh Food Access

Watering the Garden: The Goldilocks Rules

4-H: From Coop Construction to Dog Demonstrations

National Indoor Plant Week: Bringing Nature Home

Ag Commissioner Urges Horse Owners to Vaccinate Animals

Back-to-School Food Programs and Snack Hacks

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a Recipe

A Summer of Abundant Fresh Food Access for County Residents!

by Ruby Koch-Fienberg, Ag and Food Systems Coordinator

This summer, Cornell Cooperative Extension Putnam County has made significant strides in combating food insecurity through our successful food truck initiative. Our "Farm to Truck" program has delivered over 130,000 pounds of fresh produce, meat and eggs to local residents, ensuring that thousands of families have access to nutritious food options.

Our food truck has become a vital resource for the community, serving as a mobile pantry that brings high-quality, locally sourced food directly to those in need. By partnering with local farms, including Huerta Farms in Chester, NY, we have provided fresh fruits and vegetables, sustainably raised meats, and eggs, contributing to the local economy and strengthening our community food system.

We thought it would be nice to spotlight one of the farms we work with through the “Farm to Truck” program!

Founded in 2019 by sisters Marcela and Leonor Huerta, Huerta Farms is dedicated to feeding the community while advocating for farm workers' rights. Their mission ensures that all workers are treated fairly and with respect. Huerta Farms is one of the local farms that supplies produce to our mobile food truck, helping us bring fresh, locally grown food directly to our community!

Our food truck's success has attracted considerable attention, including a feature in The Highlands Current, which described it as a "lifeline on wheels." This recognition highlights the importance of our mission to make seasonal food accessible to all, regardless of financial circumstances.

As we continue our efforts, we have adjusted our food truck schedule to better meet the needs of our community. To find the latest schedule and meet up with The Farm Truck in your neighborhood, please follow this  link.

Together with our local farmers and community partners, we are making a meaningful impact in the lives of Putnam County residents, ensuring that everyone has access to healthy, nutritious food.

The remarkable achievements of this program have been made possible through the generous support of the New York Food for New York Families program, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and facilitated by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

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Watering the Garden: The Goldilocks Rules

by Jennifer Lerner, Senior Horticultural and Natural Resource Educator

The extremes of weather in the last three years—one drought year and two rainy summers—make establishing a watering routine challenging. Too little water and a plant wilts. Too much water and a plant will drown. How does the gardener get it “just right?”

Most of us are familiar with wilting symptoms associated with heat and drought. Did you know that overwatered plants wilt too? Often, overwatering and poor drainage cause more problems for plants than underwatering and the symptoms can be confusingly similar! As the fine root hairs that absorb water drown and die, the plant wilts because it can no longer take in water.

So how do you get it just right? Established perennials, lawns, trees and shrubs require 1-inch of rainfall per week, here in New York State. When we have a drought, reaching this goal can be accomplished by a thorough weekly watering. But there’s more to the Goldilocks Rules: Water deeply and infrequently, rather than lightly and frequently. Deep, infrequent watering promotes deeper roots and a more drought-resistant plant.

High temperatures and sunny days may wilt the tops of your plants (diurnal wilting) and you might think more water is needed but check the soil. If it is moist, plant wilting may be due to the extra evaporation from the leaves that can happen during the heat of the day, and the plant will perk up once the sun loses some intensity. If the soil feels dry down to 1 to 2 inches, or if there are many thirsty competitors nearby, you may need to irrigate your plants. And again, deep infrequent watering is preferable to a quick shower.

And how do you know you have achieved a “deep watering?” By measuring of course! Every home has different water pressure, and hose sizes are different too. For lawns, use a flat, wide-mouth vessel, like a washed tuna can, to measure the time it takes to accumulate 1 inch using the sprinkler or your choice. For trees, shrubs and perennials, time how long it takes to fill a five-gallon bucket and keeping that time in mind. Experiment with timing: if 5 gallons of water deeply waters a shrub and 1 gallon works for your perennial, set a timer and water long enough to deliver that amount.

Does that sound like a lot of standing around with a hose and getting bitten by mosquitoes? It is! Proper watering takes a long time. Drip and soaker hoses are a great time saver and are very water efficient. They take time to install, but they’ll pay you back in time saved.

And our last Goldilocks Rule: avoid wetting the foliage. Moisture on leaves, crowding, and poor air circulation—either together or alone—create perfect conditions for pathogens to grow. Instead, direct irrigation towards the plants root system, or better yet use soakers or drip irrigation.

The sites below discuss good watering practices for gardeners, so you can get your watering just right!

Resources: Watering Tips from Iowa State 

Waterwise Gardening CCE Rockland County

Photo credit: Thomas Cizauskas CC BY-NC-ND

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4-H: From Coop Construction to Dog Demonstrations

by Brandy Keenan, 4-H Educator

Coop Safety and Construction

The 4-H Poultry Club learned about safe coop construction and how they need to protect chickens from weather elements like wind and rain, but also predators like snakes, foxes and bears.

Members spent club meetings learning about coop construction and creating their own mini chickens and coops with various materials such as cardboard, popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, glue and tape.

They then tested their coops against the elements in fun and interactive ways like using water guns for rain, a vacuum on reverse for wind, a stuffed teddy bear as a stand-in for a real bear and forks as a fox’s claws.

Talk about creative hands-on learning!

4-H Showcase

This year’s Putnam County Fair and 4-H Showcase was a little different from years past. TAG members and volunteers ran the 4-H Playland, featuring games and crafts, and the 4-H Café, providing grilled corn, fresh lemonade and milkshakes to fairgoers.

In the Trainor Barn, livestock-based clubs: 4-H Poultry, Topfield, Hooves Beaks and Bills, and the Muscoot Gang gave educational animal talks on horses, poultry, goats and sheep while visitors met the animals on display there.

From the CCE office, Jennifer Lerner did fiber spinning demonstrations and interactions providing a truly new experience reminding people of the connection between CCE and 4-H.

Other clubs like the Puppeteers and the Trailblazers Shooting Sports entertained young audiences while the Tall Oaks Horse Club had showmanship demonstrations, crafts, and pony rides.

Rounding off our club showcase were the Cloverbuds who said the pledge during our opening ceremonies and the K-9 kids dog show demonstrations at the dog park.

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National Indoor Plant Week: Bringing Nature Home

Indoor plants can add a splash of color to otherwise bland decor or uplift moods during cold, bleak winter months. Sept. 15 through 21 is National Indoor Plant Week so celebrate by bringing home a new plant or giving one to someone else.

History of National Indoor Plant Week

Started in 2007 by plant expert Mark Martin, the inspiration behind this event is the founder’s belief that indoor plants are vital for a healthy lifestyle and for connecting with nature. National Indoor Plant Week has grown, inspiring more people to get involved. Each year, more organizations and companies support events such as free plant giveaways, educational activities and more.

Learn Some Benefits of Indoor Plants

Reduce Stress Levels. Plants in the office or home have been reported to provide a sense of calm and soothing, especially for those who engage with plants through indoor gardening activities.

Boost Productivity. Multiple studies have shown that having plants in the workspace can increase productivity and creativity and reduce employee sick time by 14 percent.

Give a Positive Outlook. One study done in India and the U.S. revealed that people working in an environment with natural elements like plants were more likely to have a positive sense and greater commitment to the company.

Buy a houseplant or give one as a gift

Plant lovers don’t need an excuse to buy another plant but, National Indoor Plant Week is a good one. It's a great time to head to a gardening store or nursery to determine which plant would fit well in that corner with the sunlight or that shady spot.

It's also a great time to share the joy of houseplants and gift a plant to someone else. This could happen through purchasing, of course, but even better might be a cutting from a plant that you already own. It’s a gift that is not only environmentally sustainable, but it keeps on giving life and joy all year long!

Resources:

Houseplant Care - Cornell Cooperative Extension

Houseplant Problems - Paul C. Pecknold, Extension Plant Pathologist, Perdue University

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Agriculture Commissioner Urges Horse Owners
to Vaccinate Animals Against Diseases

from NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets

ALBANY, N.Y. (August 26, 2024) – New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball is urging horse owners across New York State to vaccinate their horses against Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV), both of which are caused by a virus spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. This is especially important since parts of New York have mosquito activity into late November. So far this year, New York has already seen cases of EEE found in horses in Clinton, Franklin, Saint Lawrence, Washington, Madison, Oneida, Orange, Ulster, Cayuga and Wayne counties. There has been one confirmed case of WNV in Oswego County. The Department of Agriculture and Markets has made veterinarians across the state aware of these confirmed cases of EEE and WNV.

“A simple vaccination can go a long way toward protecting horses against mosquito-borne disease” said Commissioner Ball. “If you’re a horse owner and your horse is in need of a vaccination, I encourage you to make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible.”

Both EEE and WNV are spread by mosquitoes that carry the diseases from infected birds. There is no cure for EEE or WNV, both of which can be fatal in unvaccinated horses. Owners are urged to ask their veterinarian about recommended vaccines that protect against these viruses. The vaccines are effective for up to one year, but in areas where these diseases occur year round, veterinarians may recommend vaccination every six months. For the vaccine to be effective, it must be handled and administered properly, prior to an anticipated increase in mosquito activity in a local area.

In addition, horse owners are encouraged to use other prevention methods, which include:

Eliminating all standing water where mosquitoes can breed;

Using insect repellents and following the directions on the label; and

Removing animals from mosquito-infested areas during peak biting times, usually dawn and dusk.

Typical symptoms of EEE in equines include staggering, circling, depression, loss of appetite and sometimes fever and blindness. If a horse contracts the WNV, it may show signs of lethargy, weakness in the hind quarters, stumbling, lack of awareness, head tilt and head twitching, convulsions, circling, partial paralysis, and coma. staggering, circling, depression, loss of appetite, fever, and blindness. Horses exhibiting these symptoms should be reported to the State Department of Agriculture and Markets’ Division of Animal Industry at (518) 457-3502 and the local health department right away. Horses suffering from neurologic problems must always be handled with extreme caution, since they may be unpredictable.

While mosquitoes can pass West Nile Virus to humans, horses and other animals, an infected horse cannot spread the disease to other animals. Humans are not susceptible to West Nile by handling a horse that is infected, however the virus is a concern for humans and there are no vaccines for humans. Preventing mosquito bites is the most important way to minimize the threat of this and other mosquito-borne diseases.

There are currently no confirmed cases of either disease in humans in New York. The State Department of Agriculture and Markets works closely with local health departments, as well as the New York State Department of Health (DOH) when incidents of EEE and WNV occur. DOH recently issued this update.

More information on West Nile Virus, EEE and Rabies Virus in Horses can be found on NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets’ website. For more information about preventing West Nile Virus in humans visit the NYS Department of Health.

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Back-to-School Food Programs and Snack Hacks

from SNAP-Ed, submitted by Josephine Quiocho, Nutrition Educator

As summer days cool, September brings us back to school! To increase food security and reduce hunger, SNAP-Ed NY works in conjunction with  USDA school food programs to provide children with nutrition education and resources to fuel their young minds. To keep children from going hungry when schools are not in session, Backpack and School Pantry programs can provide food for students to take home. Reach out to your local SNAP-Ed representative to find out how you can get these programs into your schools!

In the meantime, as you pack snacks for you and your family, remember the tips (above) to stay nourished throughout the day.

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Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
with Curtido Salvadoreño and Pupusas Revueltas

from USDA & SNAP-Ed

Curtido Salvadoreño (Cabbage Salad)

Curtido is an authentic Salvadoran cabbage slaw or relish made with finely shredded cabbage, red onion, carrot, spices and vinegar.

Servings: 8

Ingredients

1 head of cabbage, chopped

2 medium carrots, grated

1 small onion, sliced

red pepper flakes (optional, 1/2 teaspoon)

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon brown sugar

1/4 cup vinegar

1/2 cup water

Directions

1. Wash hands with soap and water.
2. Blanch the cabbage with boiling water for 1 minute. Discard the water.
3. Place the cabbage in a large bowl and add grated carrots, sliced onion, red pepper, oregano, olive oil, salt, brown sugar, vinegar, and water.

4. Place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.

Source: www.myplate.gov

Pupusas Revueltas

This recipe is lower in saturated fat than traditional pupusas but are still loaded with flavor. Enjoy these pupusas with curtido.

Prep Time: 35 minutes

Cooking Time: 15-25 minutes

Servings: 12

Ingredients

16 ounces chicken breast, ground

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1/2 pound cheese, part-skim mozzarella, grated

1/2 onion (small, finely diced)

1 garlic clove (minced)

1 green pepper (medium, seeded and minced)

1 tomato (small, finely chopped)

1/2 teaspoon salt

5 cups masa harina (corn flour, instant)

6 cups water

Directions
1. In a non-stick skillet over low heat, sauté chicken in oil until chicken turns white. Constantly stir the chicken to keep it from sticking.
2. Add onion, garlic, green pepper, and tomato. Cook until chicken mixture is cooked through. Remove skillet from stove and let mixture cool in the refrigerator.
3. While the chicken mixture is cooling, place the flour in a large mixing bowl and stir in enough water to make a stiff tortilla-like dough.
4. When the chicken mixture has cooled, mix in the cheese.
5. Divide the dough into 24 portions. With your hands, roll the dough into balls and flatten each ball into a 1/2 ich thick circle. Put a spoonful of the chicken mixture in the middle of each circle of dough and bring the edges to the center. Flatten the ball of dough again until it is 1/2 inch thick.
6. In a very hot, iron skillet, cook the pupusas on each side until golden brown.
7. Serve hot.

Source: snapedny.org/recipes

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Last updated August 30, 2024