Media Releases:
Knitting Fun 101 with Schuyler County 4-H
Ag Gone Wild! Workshops Offered
Beef Pasture Walk at Spring Flight Farm
Schuyler County Youth Celebrate National 4-H Week by Keeping It Green

Knitting Fun 101 with Schuyler County 4-H

MONTOUR FALLS, N.Y. — Come and join the newest county-wide program! Youth age 8 or older are invited to come learn the basics of knitting. Our first class will held on Veteran’s Day, November 11, at the Schuyler County Human Services Complex from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please bring a bag lunch. The remaining 2 classes will be on December 1 and December 15, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. also at the SCHSC.

Fee: $15 for registered 4-H members, $20 for non 4-H members. Pre-register and pay by October 31. Included in the fee are materials to make a colorful scarf for yourself or as a gift, and snacks for the meetings. There is a limit of 12 youth for this class. To reserve a space, please send an email to schuyler4h@cornell.edu and include the participant’s name and age, or call 535-7161.

Send payment to:

CCE Schuyler 4-H Office
323 Owego Street, Unit 5
Montour Falls, NY 14865.

Payment must be received by October 31 for your registration to be complete. There will be no refunds after November 3. Questions? Please call 535-7161 and ask for Mel or Cate

Ag Gone Wild! Workshops Offered

MONTOUR FALLS, N.Y. — Youth ages 8-12 are invited to join us for six weeks of fun experiments with agriculture! Sessions will be held October 13, 20, 27, and November 3, 10 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.; November 17 from 7-8 p.m. at the Schuyler County Human Services Complex. We will create corn plastic, make grape lightning, invent veggie ink, produce food glue, and other fun projects—all to build reasoning and evaluating skills in a group setting. Limited to the first 15 to register. Fee: $10 for 4-H members; $15 for non-members covers all six sessions. Call Cate at 607-535-7161 or email schuyler4h@cornell.edu to register!

Beef Pasture Walk at Spring Flight Farm

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Steuben County will host a pasture walk and tour of Spring Flight Farm in Big Flats, NY October 18th from 10:00am to Noon.

Spring Flight Farm is home to Scottish Highland and Angus beef cattle. Jacquelyn Chotkowski will discuss the farms pasture system; including recently built high tensile fence, two different handling systems and a watering system. Spring Flight Farm markets their product primarily through direct sales; to restaurants, at farmers’ markets, and direct to the customer. Jacquelyn will discuss her current marketing plan and the different marketing venues she has used in the past.

Reservations are requested by October 16th; contact Cornell Cooperative Extension at 607-664-2300 for more information and to register. A light lunch will be provided.

Spring Flight Farm is located at 321 Charles Storch Rd. (the farm is near Harris Hill Park) From I-86, use the Kahler Rd exit. Turn right at the end of the ramp onto Kahler, turn left on Big Flats Rd. Turn right onto West Hill Rd and follow to the top of the hill. Follow the signs to Charles Storch Rd.

Schuyler County Youth Celebrate National 4-H Week by Keeping It Green

(Montour Falls, NY)—4-H youth from across the nation will be “Keeping It Green” as they celebrate 2008 National 4-H Week October 5-11 by raising awareness about environmental issues and initiating environmental projects that make a positive difference in their communities.

Throughout National 4-H week and the 2008-2009 program year, 4-H’ers solve problems in their communities, raise awareness about environmental issues, and make a difference for their futures in the spirit of 4-H’s vision to create a world in which youth and adults learn, grow, and work together as catalysts for positive change.

In Schuyler County, the new 4-H year begins with Achievement Night on Friday, October 10 from 5-9 p.m. at Hidden Valley 4-H Camp. The annual event that recognizes the accomplishments of 4-H members over the past year will incorporate the “Keeping it Green” theme. Guests have been invited to dress their own tables with recycled materials with the best-dressed table receiving a green prize. Awards and prizes have also been selected with an eye towards “green”.

Another year-long contest will challenge 4-Hers to become more environmentally friendly through a series of puzzles, riddles, and related tasks to be explained in Keynoter, the 4-H newsletter distributed electronically when possible.

The community is invited to support Schuyler County 4-H youth in Keeping it Green by participating in a new fundraiser by purchasing items through www.greenraising.org. Supporters will be able to buy environmentally responsible goods such as office supplies and water bottles while donating to Schuyler County 4-H. Watch for the official kick-off date on the Schuyler County 4-H Blog http://schuyleryouthdevelopment.blogspot.com/

Last year, Schuyler County 4-H reached over 2000 youth with programs that teach life-long skills. In addition to a growing club program, Schuyler County 4-H runs a residential 4-H camp program at Hidden Valley, provides enrichment projects at after school and summer rec programs, and sponsors a number of county-wide opportunities.

To learn how to become a 4-H member or volunteer leader in Schuyler County, contact Mel Schroeder, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Schuyler County at 607-535-7161 or schuyler4h@cornell.edu.

4-H is a community of 6 million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. National 4-H Headquarters, which operates out of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is the federal partner of 4-H programs implemented by the Cooperative Extension System of the nation’s 106 land-grant colleges and universities and in local communities through 3,150 county Cooperative Extension offices. Learn more about the 4-H adventure at www.cce.cornell.edu/schuyler/4h

Phone: 607-535-7161
Fax: 607-535-6813
Email: schuyler@cornell.edu

Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Cornell Cooperative Extension in Schuyler County provides equal program and employment opportunities. Please contact us if you have any special needs.

The program was developed by NYSERDA in cooperation with NYSEG and Niagara Mohawk-- a National Grid Company, under the direction of the NYS Public Service Commission. Honeywell DMC has been contracted to serve a the Program Implementer.

The program includes the following components:

1. A packet of energy saving products and fact sheets sent to the participants' home.
2. Installation of energy efficiency measures in the home and in-home energy education.
3. Energy use management and financial management education workshops.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County offers energy use management and financial management education workshops. These workshops, while targeting EmPower New York participants, are still open to the general public and are useful education at any income range.

How do you get enrolled in EmPower?
Contact NYSEG directly for a Power Partner enrollment form and begin saving energy today!! For Information call 1-800-572-1111.

New York State offers several incentives for anyone wishing to install renewable energy technologies. Visit www.powernaturally.org for details.

To learn more about energy efficiency and energy conservation attend a free “Save Energy, Save Dollars” workshop. Click here for a workshop schedule.

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) and the New York Energy $mart (SM) Program, administered by New York State Energy Development Authority (NYSERDA) have formed a partnership to provide energy-related technical, financial and educational assistance to New York residents.

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) and the New York Energy $mart (SM) Program, administered by New York State Energy Development Authority (NYSERDA) have formed a partnership to provide energy-related technical, financial and educational assistance to New York residents.

Through the Consumer Education Program for Residential Energy Efficiency (CEPREE) and EmPower NY educators work to increase consumer awareness of the importance of energy conservation and efficiency as well as programs as well as offer information on the programs available through the New York Energy $mart (SM) to make single homes and multifamily buildings more energy efficient.

Conserving energy is something anyone can do. It can be as easy as turning off the lights as you leave a room or as involved as installing insulation in your attic. You can save over $800 a year by making your home more energy efficient.

To learn more about energy efficiency and energy conservation attend a free “Save Energy, Save Dollars” workshop. Click here for a workshop schedule.

What and How to Compost

For the best compost, you'll want to include the right mix of carbons, nitrogens, air and water.

Keep a 3-to-1 ratio of browns to greens. To keep smells down & critters out, always cover up greens with browns. Keep everything loosely piled, to allow aeration. Your pile should be as damp as a wrung-out sponge, so you may need to add water.

For fastest results, turn frequently. Otherwise, put everything in and let it cook, and in a year or so, you'll have "black gold" - compost that's so good for your plants! Keep it working in the winter. Dig a hole down the center of your pile and keep adding food wastes throughout the winter months.

Getting Started

Location, Location, Location Be sure to pick a spot that is easy to get to and close to a water source. If maintained properly your pile should not smell so close to the house shouldn’t be a problem. Your pile can be in the sun or shade, but if located in the sun you will need to water your pile more often. Pick an area that is well drained, standing water can cause your pile to smell.

Build Your Own Bin

Contact us for ideas on store-bought bins. To build your own bin, consider using old wood pallets, wooden snow fence, or welded wire. If you're not concerned about critters getting into your compost, you can just have a compost pile. What's important is that you have a bin that will work for you! For about $20, you can build a welded wire bin. It's easy to make and maintain, keeps the critters out, and allows lots of air and water to flow through your compost bin.

What you need:
12-1/2 feet of 36" wide ½-inch welded wire
Snap ties
Wooden stakes (optional - help stabilize)

Trouble Shooting

Problem		Solution
Ammonia Smell		Add Carbon
Rotten Egg Smell		Aerate pile and/or mix in leaves, straw or paper. Also be sure the pile in not too wet.
Not Heating Up		Make sure your pile is at least 3’x3’x3’, and that it has enough nitrogen and moisture.

Our THANKS to Tompkins County Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Composter program for their hints & tips.

Worm Composting

Red worms are great for composting indoors-under a sink, inside your basement doorway, or in a heated porch or garage. This is an easy and convenient way to compost year-round. Just toss fruit and vegetable clippings in with some paper or sawdust bedding, and let the worms do the work. Build your own wooden bin or drill holes into a plastic tub. Be sure the bin stays moist and aerated. Does it smell? Not if you keep smelly foods (broccoli) out, and if you balance food waste with your bedding. In a matter of weeks, you'll have beautiful, rich compost. Because the worms reproduce, you'll also breed fishing worms!

Recipe for Rot

There are a wide variety of air pollutants in a home. Some can lead to irritated eyes, others can lead to more serious respiratory diseases. Health effects vary from person to person and depend on the length of time a person was exposed to a particular pollutant.

This program is partially funded by a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) grant.

Local Law 3-1992 made source separation and recycling mandatory as of August 10, 1992. Each municipality contracts with a hauler of their choice for recyclable collection services in their jurisdiction.

General Municipal Referral Form

Contact Information
Danielle Hautaniemi – Director, Planning & Community Development
Rocky Kambo – Planning Assistant/Community Educator
Cathy Barnes – Administrative Assistant

607-535-7161

Schuyler County’s farmland provides benefits to residents and visitors alike. Among these are food production, open space, rural character, and economic vitality.

Locally-produced foods and food products are readily accessible. Outlets include the Schuyler Farm Market in Montour Falls, roadside stands, wineries, and gift shops.

Tourists appreciate the working landscape of cultivated fields, farms, and pastures found throughout Schuyler County. The vistas are interesting and lively because of agriculture.

Local government and community services are supported in part by taxes on the sizable investment in land and buildings owned by farmers. Agriculture requires only a small portion of public services in return.

Schuyler County agriculture generated more than $21 million in sales in 2005, not including wineries. When the secondary impacts of agriculture are considered, and lumber, wood products, and wineries are included, the total economic benefit to the County approaches $76 million.

Cornell Cooperative Extension provides area agriculture interests with the knowledge, information, and resources needed to promote the continued development of agriculture, which benefits everyone.

For more information please contact Cornell Cooperative Extension-Schuyler at (607) 535-7161 or schuyler@cornell.edu

Cornell Cooperative Extension stresses the importance of preserving only food of peak quality, which has been freshly harvested and is ideal for fresh eating.

Cornell Cooperative Extension in Schuyler County has canning and preserving equipment available to rent for a nominal fee per day. We have the following:

* Mehu Maija juice extractor - 2
* Pressure Canners - 1 weighted, 1 dial gauge
* Boiling Water Bath canner
* Squeezo fruit & vegetable strainer

Please call (607) 535-7161 to reserve this equipment. Must be picked up at office, no delivery available.

Is it after hours or a holiday?
Try the USDA Meat & Poultry hotline at 1-800-535-4555.
(Their phones are staffed Monday - Friday 10 am - 4 pm, in November M-F 9am-5pm, also on the Saturday & Sunday before Thanksgiving, and Thanksgiving Day from 8am - 2 pm. They are closed on all other holidays. All times listed are EST.)

What You Learn:

* Meal Planning on a budget
* Food preparation skills
* Tips on keeping food safe
* Ideas to control your weight and get moving more
* How to manage on a "tight" budget
* About other community resources that can help you

What We Do:

* Provide up-to-date nutrition information
* Demonstrate new ways of preparing food
* Explore healthy food choices your family will eat
* Show you how to fit "healthy" into your lifestyle
* Provide a supportive learning environment for success
* Help you to set up a workable household budget
* Connect you with community resources that can help you

We also offer:
Information on general nutrition and consumer questions, we will speak to groups on specific nutritional topics, and all of our classes are open to the general public.

The ESNY program is funded by the USDA Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program and the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

For more information please contact:
The Nutrition Program Educator at mec43@cornell.edu or by phone at (607) 535-7161.