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WELCOME!
ABOUT SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION 
Please Note: The Office Will Be Closed in Observance of the Following Holidays in 2023
New Year's MONDAY, JANUARY 2 Martin Luther King Day MONDAY, JANUARY 16 Presidents' Day MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20 Memorial Day MONDAY, MAY 29 Juneteenth MONDAY, JUNE 19 4th of July TUESDAY, JULY 4 Labor Day MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 Columbus Day MONDAY, OCTOBER 9 Veterans Day FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10 Thanksgiving THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23 Day after Thanksgiving FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24 Christmas MONDAY, DECEMBER 25 Please note that this is a general informational website. If you have specific questions regarding the watershed, please feel free to email info@ocswcd.org and we will do our best to respond to your inquiry. 
MONDAY OCTOBER 9, 2023 Indigenous Peoples Day in the U.S. is a time to honor and celebrate Native American peoples. Therefore, many people use the day as an opportunity to lift up and celebrate Native American culture, history, and teachings. At the same time, this can be a somber day to learn about and reflect on the atrocities that colonialists have perpetrated against Indigenous communities throughout history. Many of these inequities continue today. Across the United States, many local governments, schools, and businesses are choosing to observe Indigenous Peoples Day instead of Columbus Day. In fact, 17 states, the District of Columbia, and more than 130 cities celebrate the holiday. While Indigenous Peoples Day is not yet a national holiday, there is a growing movement to declare it a federal holiday in the United States. The idea for Indigenous Peoples Day was sparked at a United Nations conference in the late 1970s. South Dakota became the first state to officially recognize the day in 1989. *****Please note our office will be closed in honor of Indigenous People's Day. 
Locktoberfest
Locktoberfest is a celebration of the Harvest season on New York State’s Canals. We bring the best local products to the heart of Historic Fort Edward for a festive day of food, drinks and fun for the whole family. Highlighting the unique history of our area, we invite children to enjoy our free activities. Live music lasts all day while you sample the flavors of Fall from local farms, food trucks and our beer tasting tent. Locktoberfest Events Along New York’s Canals The Annual Celebration of the Fall Harvest Season Will Take Place in Lockport, Phoenix, Rome, and Fort Edward Locktoberfest – an annual celebration of the community, history, and bountiful harvest produced by local vendors along the New York State Canal system kicks-off this weekend. Locktoberfest events will be held in Lockport and Rome along the Erie Canal, Phoenix along the Oswego Canal, and in Fort Edward on the Champlain Canal. Each event will feature community markets, art exhibits, craft beer and wine tastings, canal lock demonstrations and musical entertainment. Event Schedule: Saturday, September 30, 2023, 10 am to 7 pm Canal Street, Lockport Celebrate the Erie Canal and the community of Lockport that was built on its banks during this festival of food and artisan markets, demonstrations, special partner events, and exclusive dining options. Activities include the Flight of Five Locks demonstration, Locks District tours, and more. Saturday, September 30, 2023, 11 am to 10 pm State Street, Phoenix Enjoy six bands on two stages; plus 75 vendors, crafters, and food trucks; pony rides; children's games; and a large fireworks display to celebrate the Oswego Canal and the arts. Phoenix’s Locktoberfest was the Winner of the 2019 SAMMY People's Choice Award for Best Music Festival. Saturday, October 7, 2023, 12 pm to 4 pm Bellamy Harbor Park, Rome Head to the waterfront to enjoy live music, an artisan craft fair, arts and activities for children as well as local craft beer. Inflatables for the kids. Yoga & wellness booths. Music by ‘Trigger Finger.’ Saturday, October 14, 2023, 12 pm to 5 pm Canal Street Marketplace, Fort Edward Celebrate the autumn harvest and the Champlain Canal Bicentennial on the grounds of the Canal Street Marketplace, a renovated nineteenth century canal barn. The festival features regional farm and artisan products, educational booths, fabulous food, free horse and wagon rides, a local beer tasting tent, and live music. 
Indigenous Peoples’ Community Day
Sunday, October 8, 2023 10:00am–8:00pm At the Everson Museum Join the Everson Museum of Art, Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation, Women of Italian and Syracuse Heritage CNY, local sponsors, and Onondaga artisans and food vendors for Syracuse’s growing Indigenous Peoples’ Day event at the Everson Museum of Art. The museum will be free throughout the day and feature a variety of public and educational programs and activities. Then, join us on the plaza for ceremonies, tabling by local sponsors and the third annual Refocus Film Screening. Inside of the Everson Museum of Art 10:00am–5:00pm: The Everson Museum is open and free to the public. Featuring an open studio of the Everson’s Artist-In-Residence Natasha Smoke Santiago. 10:00 am–2:00pm: Docent Led Tours of Pepe Mar: Magic Vessel 10:00–11:00am: Studio Tour with Natasha Smoke Santiago 11:00–11:45am: The Haudenosaunee Singers and Dancers Outside on the Community Plaza 1:00pm: Thanksgiving Address 1:30pm: Onondaga Nation Singers 1:30–6:00pm: Kids’ Art Activities 2:00pm: Artist Demonstrations: Basketmaking with Robin Lazore 2:40pm: Artist Demonstrations: Beadwork with Karenlyn Hill 3:20pm: Artist Demonstrations: Stonework with Tom Huff 4:00pm: Artist Demonstrations: Mural Making with Brandon Lazore 4:40pm: Artist Demonstrations: Ceramic Firing with Natasha Smoke Santiago 5:20pm: Artist Demonstrations: Wooden Stickmaking with Jack Johnson 6:00pm: The Haudenosaunee Singers and Dancers 6:50–8:00pm: Third Annual Refocus Film Screening Haudenosaunee Singers and Dancers The Haudenosaunee Singers and Dancers from the Onondaga Nation and surrounding areas, will share Haudenosaunee social dances as practiced in their community just south of Syracuse, NY. Elegant and knowledgeable leader Sherri Waterman-Hopper has traveled internationally as an artist and cultural speaker. The dance troupe features a core group of singers and dancers who are talented and dedicated young adults. Each dance gives thanks and acknowledgement to various aspects of the natural world. Audience participation and interaction is encouraged during their dance program and pride in the Haudenosaunee ways of life and adherence to traditions are hallmarks of this disciplined dance troupe. 
CHECK OUT OCWA'S NEW RECRUITMENT VIDEO!
From the Office of Assembly Member Anna Kelles September 6, 2023 Ithaca, NY – Assemblymember Anna Kelles, Senator Lea Webb and Senator Rachel May hosted Tompkins County municipal leaders and local water health experts September 5 for an informative afternoon exploring the natural freshwater resource of Cayuga Lake and its ecosystem. Aboard the Discover Cayuga Lake, participants experienced the “floating classroom” with hands-on activities led by Bill Foster and the Discover Cayuga Lake crew, including youth leaders. Municipal leaders were able to use instruments to test the pH level of the water as well as its clarity, or turbidity, and viewed collected specimens under microscopes. Prior to departing, Sachem Sam George from the Cayuga Nation, offered a traditional water blessing. Cayuga Lake and its watershed is vitally important as a source of freshwater in the region, serving as the primary drinking water source for at least 40,000 residents. The watershed spans parts of 6 counties (Cayuga, Tompkins, Seneca, Schuyler, Tioga and Cortland) and is impacted by the needs of agriculture, industry and tourism. In the face of climate change, one threat to the lake and water health is from Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). These blooms of cyanobacteria can contain cyanotoxins, which are toxic to humans and other animals. Community Science Institute, an organization represented at the event, monitors HABs outbreaks in the lake and had recorded 7 HABs outbreaks on September 5. Assemblymember Kelles has fought for funding in the New York State Budget to fund research that will improve our ability to predict and prevent the occurrence of HABs. Following the boat tour, Dr. Roxanne Razavi, Assistant Professor of Environmental Biology at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), presented on per- and polyfluoroakyl chemicals (PFAS or “forever chemicals''), how they present in our water and their impact on our health. Assemblymember Kelles and Senator May sponsor the PFAS Discharge Disclosure Act (A3296 /S227B) which would require all permitted facilities discharging waste in the state to disclose the measurement of PFAS chemicals found in any discharges. Assemblymember Kelles said, “I wanted all the leaders of the region to have a visceral experience with the lake today, to truly understand that the health of the lake and its watershed is inextricably connected to the health and well-being of all the people in our districts. I’ve called on all the municipal leaders to be ambassadors for the lake, and we’ve connected them with the experts who can help them go out and educate our community. We will all need to work together on policies and funding that protect this precious natural resource for generations to come.” One Heck of a Headcut
The term “headcut” is an obscure example of topically specific vocabulary, that topic being fluvial geomorphology. Which is just a fancy way to say the study of streams and rivers and the landforms created by them. For those conservation professionals who deal with streams and rivers, the term headcut has been known to induce raised eyebrows, creased foreheads, nails chewed down to the quick, the rubbing of chins, loss of sleep, and the utterance of expletives. Which is to say, a headcut is a riparian phenomenon that can have major consequences in a watershed, regardless of the size of that watershed. A headcut is a nick point along a streambed where, due to geomorphological characteristics, the streambed is actively eroding as a result of water passing over said point. Often the cause is due to a difference in geological conditions where the streambed or part of it is weaker than the adjacent streambed or bank. A headcut can and will progress upstream from the initial point of erosion, effectively lowering the streambed elevation. This change can be a few feet to a few hundred feet. For example, Niagara Falls is evidence of the geomorphological differences between a hard dolomite layer overlaying weaker Rochester shale, and the result is one hell of a headcut migrating upstream at approximately 2.5 ft per year. As resource managers we are tasked with stabilizing these erosive phenomena as they can contribute thousands of tons of soil to receiving waters in a very short time. Another real-world example demonstrating this point is the Las Vegas Wash in Nevada. In 1978 the river was 1 foot deep by 100 feet wide, by 1995 the river was 40 feet deep by 1000 feet wide and 2400 acres of wetland had been lost to erosion. Here at OCSWCD we have received extensive riparian training from our partners at Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, Army Corps of Engineers, facilitated by NYS Dept of Ag and Markets at our annual Water Quality Symposium and Conservation Skills training events. Most recently we had a visit from stream specialist extraordinaire, Potamologist Dave Derrick. Conceptually a headcut is managed by: 1) building a grade control structure atop the headcut, 2) building a grade control structure upstream from the headcut and allowing headcut to migrate up to and be stopped by that grade control structure, or 3) drown a headcut by raising the water elevation downstream of the headcut, so the nick point is no longer a source of erosion. Our county is blessed with an abundance of water resources as well as shale geomorphological formations. Which is why technicians here at OCSWCD have had the opportunity to implement all three of these conceptual solutions with success. Give us a call if you have any questions regarding your nearby water resources, be they stream, creek, river, lake, or pond; we’re here to help. 
Above: A headcut on Finger Lakes Land Trust Property in Spafford, NY April 2023
Above: A headcut on Willow Brook, Marietta NY, July 2022 
DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER CORNER
MEET DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER JESSI LYONS 
Jessi Lyons is a native of the Pacific NW but has been happy to call Syracuse home since 2006. At the Brady Farm, Jessi gets to combine her background in ecology and community development with her passion for food, agriculture and people. She loves to teach food preservation and experiment with eating and growing.
The Brady Farm is a part of the Brady Faith Center. Started in 2016 our vision is an urban farm woven into the fabric of the community that provides sustained nutritious foods, employment, and education that nourishes the body, mind and spirit of the residents. In the spirit of Father Brady, the farm is meant to meet the needs of people where they are and in ways that are meaningful to them. The farm was started in 2016 with generous support and vision from a private donor. The 5.8 acres are lie between Onondaga Creek and a tributary of the creek, and are split between two parcels. Even though the farm has a creek and woods, it is an urban site surrounded by homes, a school, and traffic just blocks away. The site was first farmed in the 1800’s by the McCarthy family. A mill on the McCarthy farm created a small island. Their 20 acre site became known as McCarthy Island. For some time in the early 1900’s the Syracuse Circus was came to the farm for three days each year. In the 1940’s, the farm was sold, apartments were built, then condominiums, and finally another set of apartments. We frequently get visitors who lived in the apartments as children. In 2003, the nearly abandoned apartments were blighted and home to frequent crime. Finally, after a series of murders in one summer at the buildings, Home Headquarter decided to demolish the remaining structures. The property is still owned by Home Headquarters. When the Shady Willows apartments came down, tests revealed asbestos in buildings and leaky petroleum tanks. Significant portions of soil at the site was removed and clean soil was brought in as backfill. Unlike most urban sites which contain elevated levels of heavy metals, the farm has exceptionally clean soil which was confirmed by soil tests in 2014. While the soil is safe from contamination, remnants of concrete and brick can be found on the site, and the backfilled soil isn’t ideal for growing. Some parts of the fields still have the rich sandy loam that once supported the McCarthy Farm and is a dream to grow in. The development of the Brady Farm offers a chance to transform the physical and social environment of the neighborhood, resurrecting it’s past as place to nourish bodies and bring people together and heal some of the environmental and social scars we left behind. Our mission is to create an economically sustainable and resilient source of affordable, locally grown food for the community, skilled and employable youth and adults, hands-on community education, and respite for the community. We seek to honor the cultural and environment heritage of the community and the land, serving as stewards and leaning on the hopes and needs of the neighbors to guide our path. 
FREE RECYCLING EVENT The electronics recycling event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Great Northern Mall. To register for the event, visit tinyurl.com/October14electronics. Recyclable electronics that will be accepted include:
Autumn Paddle Enjoy autumn's glow with a Naturalist for an early evening paddle around Beaver Lake. We'll beach to enjoy the sunset while snacking on cheese, crackers, and cider. Registration: $18/Canoe-Member; $20/Canoe-Nonmember *Prices are per canoe, not per person Canoes: Maximum of 560 lb or 4 people per canoe. Minimum of 2 people per canoe. SATURDAY SEP 30 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM BEAVER LAKE NATURE CENTER 8477 East Mud Lake Road Baldwinsville, NY 13027 
Join the Earth Corps Encore Celebration Saturday, October 14, 2023 5:30PM-9:00PM Gateway Center at ESF At Onondaga Earth Corps our mission is to empower young people to be active participants in creating positive change for their communities and their environment. 
The LaFayette Apple Festival Bringing Community, Non-profit organizations, Friends, Artists, and Crafters together to promote apples, small town America, and obtain monies for future endeavors. 50th Annual Festival Join us for this year’s festival on October 7th & 8th, 2023. Saturday 9 am – 6 pm Sunday 9 am – 5 pm Apple pancake breakfast starting at 7am Sat & Sun For the enjoyment of all guests, NO PETS of any kind are allowed. Admission to the Apple fest is $6.00 per person. 12 and under are free. PARKING is also free! 
Conservation Tip From Earth 911.com FOUR FOODS, TONS OF WATER SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 By Geneva Ratcliffe Many popular foods are hard on the environment, even before they are processed and packaged because they require immense amounts of water. Let’s look at four popular foods we can replace in recipes with water-responsible alternatives. Though water scarcity might not affect you today, you can help conserve water by choosing different foods. Only 3% of the world’s water is fresh, and it needs to be carefully managed to ensure there is enough to go around; as of 2022, more than 2.3 billion people live without reliable access to clean water. Water-intensive crops also contribute to excessive irrigation. Pesticides, sediment, livestock waste, and more contaminate rivers and groundwater. Farm waste is the leading cause of blockages in lakes and rivers, and the eutrophication it causes contributes to the rising incidence of toxic algal blooms. When you choose several staples, including rice, almonds, beef, and avocados, you support industries that often use too much water despite drought conditions. For example, 74% of the water used in Arizona goes to agriculture, and the city of Phoenix may exhaust its groundwater supply this century. Rice Rice is a staple in many cultures, and replacing it with anything else might seem heretical. However, consider the impact of just one pound of rice, which requires about 168 gallons of water to grow. Rice fields are flooded after harvest, using between 24% and 30% of the world’s freshwater annually. Some rice field flooding supports migrating wildlife, but switching to other grains in some recipes can lower your impact. There are several options to replace rice. Try Quinoa, which offers more nutritional benefits per serving and an 80% lower water impact. Quinoa delivers twice the protein per serving as rice and contains magnesium and copper, contributing to bone health and blood production. Barley is another option, as this versatile grain uses 34% less water per pound and contains antioxidants and more dietary fiber than rice; it may even help lower cholesterol. Finally, riced cauliflower is another easy switch that people with gluten allergies have made. Part of the keto diet, riced cauliflower has 1/10th the calories, and there’s no need to use water to boil it before using it in a recipe. With its mild flavor, cauliflower is a suitable replacement for white rice. Almonds Almonds are a popular snack nut and a source of milk these days. However, one pound of almonds takes 1,929 gallons of water. In California, the nuts contribute to water shortages during drought; the state’s almond crop consumes three times as much water annually as the city of Los Angeles. These trees are grown and cultivated year-round, with harvest season from August to October. Many other tree nuts have similar impacts, but the demand for almonds and almond milk drives a lot of consumption. Unfortunately, almonds are hard to replace with other nuts. All nuts carry high water impacts and should be consumed sparingly. Here are a few portable protein-packed snacks to try. Chickpeas are an excellent alternative snack, full of protein, fiber, and iron. They consume only 501 gallons of water per pound of chickpeas. Also, they can help regulate blood sugar, which benefits people with diabetes. Pumpkin seeds are also a water-responsible option to replace almonds; they are high in protein, a good source of iron and other minerals, and have several health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties. Because pumpkin seeds are just one product of these water-efficient squash at 40 gallons per pound, their water footprint compares favorably with almonds. Beef Beef is very water-intensive, requiring 1,847 gallons to produce just one pound of meat. Beef is usually the most environmentally damaging meat you can choose, but all meat products are water-intensive. Cutting beef from your diet can lower your water footprint significantly and represents an essential first step towards a sustainable diet. Even reducing the amount you eat would be beneficial to the environment. If you cut out one pound of beef per month from your diet, you’ll reduce your water footprint by 22,164 gallons a year. If you still want meat, consider replacing beef with less water-intensive choices. That’s easy since beef takes about 800 gallons more than any other meat per pound. Two good options are chicken or turkey, which require 518 gallons of water per pound of meat. Poultry meats can be ground and used in many of the same recipes as ground beef. Lentils and mushrooms are vegetarian alternatives that can replace beef in recipes. Using just 150 grams of dried lentils makes 500 grams when cooked, and using brown or green lentils mimics the texture of ground beef. They can easily be swapped into any recipe using ground beef. Mushrooms are also a popular swap for meat, with mushroom burgers already on some menus. They can replace meat in other situations, used in kabobs, tacos, and made as steaks. Avocados Avocados are very popular. From guacamole to having it on toast, these Mexican fruits are so trendy that it is almost a crime not to eat them. But did you know that producing just one avocado takes about 84 gallons of water? They are a healthy choice, so people have adopted avocados as part of a balanced diet. But there are better options or occasional alternatives that would benefit people just as much. There are plenty of healthy alternatives to avocado, so if you want to help break this trend, try edamame or tofu. The soybean-based products contain plenty of protein, amino acids, and vitamins; with tofu, you can flavor it with spices. Suppose you’re looking for a replacement for Avocado toast. In that case, many tofu-based spreads are wonderful options, like chive and onion-whipped tofu spread for toast. Tofu comes in different consistencies and can be used in many recipes to help you eat vegan or vegetarian on your meatless days. Edamame-based snacks might be more practical than avocado ones, as you can take them on the go. Like if you air fry your edamame or add it to a salad. 
Environmental Conservation Commission Meeting
October 5 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Pompey Town Hall 8354 US Route 20 Manlius, NY 
FROM DEPARTMENT OF WATER ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION Toilet waste from my RV or camper Toilet waste from recreational vehicles and campers can be dumped at the Metropolitan Syracuse Wastewater Treatment Plant free of charge. The Metro wastewater treatment plant is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, seven days a week, and hauled waste can be dumped conveniently.DO NOT dump your holding tank on the ground or down storm drains since that can harm the environment, fish, and wildlife. What Can I Do? Bring your RV or camper to the Metropolitan Syracuse Wastewater Treatment Plant. Location and Hours Our waste hauler facility is located at 650 Hiawatha Boulevard West, in Syracuse. Toilet waste from RVs and campers may be dumped free of charge from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, seven days a week. No appointment is required. Stop at our Waste Hauler Office and one of our friendly staff members will assist you. 
THE CHESTER WHITE BOAR The Chester White breed originated in Chester County, Pennsylvania and thereby derived its breed name. At first it was called the Chester County White, but later the "county" was dropped. Previous to 1812 there were Yorkshire and Lincolnshire animals that had come from England. The Chester breed was derived in Jefferson County, New York. These three breeds were intermingled for some years previous to 1815. Sometime between 1815 and 1818, Capt. James Jeffries imported from England one white boar which was referred to as a Bedfordshire or Cumberland. This boar was used extensively on white animals in this county and from these matings the Chester White breed started. 
FARM SPOTLIGHT BOSTROM FARM Bostrom Farms is a butcher shop dedicated to supporting local farmers and providing customers with fresh, high-quality, locally-raised meat. Visit our Finger Lakes retail store located on Routes 5 and 20 in Stanley, NY, where we offer a full range of delicious pork, beef, and chicken products that you can feel good about sharing with your family and friends. Bostrom Farms is also a USDA-inspected meat processing facility, allowing us to cut and process on-site to offer you meat at peak freshness. Have a question or a request for a cut-to-order? Our butchers are here daily to share their knowledge and make sure you take home your next great meal. Bostrom Farms was born of Kevin Bostrom’s commitment to the idea that we should all know the origins of our pork and beef. He started out in the late 1980s and early 1990s with his own Romulus, NY, slaughterhouse and meat market operation, then directed his passion for local meat into 18 years of hog farming. In 2014, he opened the Bostrom Farms butcher shop in Stanley, complete with his original three decade-old “Bostrom Farms” sign out front. What sets us apart? Bostrom Farms puts the fun and trust back into buying meat. How do we provide you with always fresh, high-quality local meat? It’s simple:
Bostrom Farms 2200 State Routes 5 and 20 Stanley, NY 14561 585-526-2035 Hours of Operation Monday : 9:00am - 6:00pm Tuesday: 9:00am - 6:00pm Wednesday: 9:00am - 6:00pm Thursday: 9:00am - 6:00pm Friday: 9:00am - 6:00pm Saturday: 9:00am - 5:00pm Sunday: Closed 
PIGLET SCOUR From Swinehealth.ceva.com Scour —or diarrhea— is the main condition pig farmers observe at the pre-weaning and weaning stages. Scour in piglets causes significant economic damages. Losses accrue from dead animals, but also the poor performance caused by mild scours. Ill-thrift, increased costs, and susceptibility to other diseases are just some of the consequences of letting this scourge of piglets go unchecked. Scour happens for a variety of reasons: nutritional, physiological, environmental, and infectious. Piglets are born into a hostile environment, teeming with pathogens. They do not have their own immunity yet, so, instead, they get it from colostrum, which is rich in antibodies that will keep them safe against —most— pathogens, until they can produce their own. As the piglets pass through the birth canal, dams also give them hundreds of species of microbes that colonise their intestinal tract. The gut microbiome helps piglets digest milk and, later, food. Furthermore, these beneficial microorganisms control pathogenic (disease-causing) bacteria and parasites. When piglets do not get enough colostrum, bacteria get out of hand; even beneficial species can cause harm in the absence of immunity. When the sow has no immunity for a given disease, there is no protection she can pass on. Therefore, scours are more common in gilt-born piglets, and one of the reasons vaccination programs are often aimed towards low-parity breeders. If the gut microbiome is disrupted, scour often follows. This can happen in several ways: excessive antibiotic usage, gorging, diet changes, or too-early introduction of food. This is often the cause of scours seen during weaning and the so-called milk scours. The environment also plays a role. Stress from overpopulation, air drafts, poor drainage, and cold installations favour disease. 
Pumpkin Insect Control – Dealing With Pumpkin Insect PestsPumpkins By: Liz Baessler/Gardeningknowhow.com Growing pumpkins can be a high-risk operation, especially if you’re after a real giant. Big pumpkins can take all summer to grow, and the last thing you want is for your prize specimen to fall victim to pumpkin insect pests. Keep reading to learn about pumpkin insect problems and pumpkin insect control. Pumpkin Insect Problems Pumpkins are a favorite food of quite a few insects, and pests on pumpkins can be a real problem. Most, however, are treatable or at least preventable. Here are the most common bugs on pumpkin plants and how to treat them:
In Case of EmergencyIn case assistance is needed at an agricultural spill, and it's after office hours (4:30 p.m.) you can call Mark Burger directly at 315-415-5057.
Farmer's Museum Tractor Fest October 7 @ 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Learn about the world of tractors and everything they powered on New York State farms at the tenth annual Tractor Fest. See classic tractors, small engines, and other machinery––illustrating the growth of farming technology. Regular museum admission rates apply. Walk from The Otesaga or downtown Cooperstown and enter through the museum’s South Gate. THE FARMERS’ MUSEUM 5775 State Highway 80 (Lake Road) PO Box 30 Cooperstown, NY 13326 SATURDAY ONLY… 1:00 – 2:00 p.m: Sign-up for the Kiddie Pedal-Tractor Pull (Tavern Green) 2:00 p.m: Kiddie Pedal-Tractor Pull (Tavern Green) SUNDAY ONLY… 12:00 p.m: Tractor Parade around the Museum’s Country Village 1:00 p.m: Straw Bale Throwning Contest for adults and children See how far you can throw! BOTH DAYS… • Farm Toys: Toys of Yesterday and Les Sigrist • For Kids: Kid’s corn box, peddle-tractors, and games such as cornhole, tic-tac-toe, and checkers • Face Painting by Nature’s Canvas • Food from The Grapevine (Food Truck). 11:00 a.m. & 2:30 p.m: Ross Corn Cutter demonstrations (Tavern Green) 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m: Plowing the fields (Farmstead) 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m: Tractor-Pulled Wagon Rides (starting outside the Main Barn) 1:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m: Baling Oat Straw (20 minute demo, next to the church) 
SOIL AND WATER IN YOUR SCHOOL!!!! IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOIL AND WATER VISIT YOUR CLASSROOM FOR A ROUSING PRESENTATION, PLEASE CONTACT US AT : 315/457-0325 OR VIA EMAIL AT INFO@OCSWCD.ORG MANY THANKS
TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS!! 
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Endorsed 4-Hour Erosion Sediment Control Training The 4-Hour Erosion & Sediment Control Training is a required course for certain contractors, subcontractors, consultants, and other qualified individuals that will be involved with the implementation of the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan on a construction site that has coverage under a NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) State Pollution Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit for Stormwater Discharges from construction activity. The certification received by this course is viable for 3 years from the date that the training was completed. This course is required for new employees involved in such activity as well as individuals who have not taken the course within the past 3 years. Under the SPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activity, certain contractors (Trained Contractor) and certain Qualified Inspectors are required to complete 4 hours of Department endorsed training in the principles and practices of erosion and sediment control (E&SC) every 3 years. Trained Contractor - Prior to the commencement of construction, an owner or operator shall have each contractor and subcontractor, that has been identified as being responsible for implementation of the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), identify at least one employee from their company (Trained Contractor) that has received 4 hours of endorsed E&SC training. The Trained Contractor must be on site on a daily basis when soil disturbance activities are being performed and will be responsible for implementation of the practices included in the SWPPP. Qualified Inspector - An owner or operator of a regulated construction project, with some exceptions, shall have a Qualified Inspector conduct specific site inspections. Certain Qualified Inspectors who work on these sites (i.e., individuals working under direct supervision of, and at the same company as, a licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Landscape Architect of NYS) are required to complete 4 hours of E&SC training under the General Permit. *****If your organization requires 4 Hour Erosion and Sediment Control Training, please contact Onondaga County Soil & Water to speak with one of our certified trainers, Conor Larkin, Aaron Buchta, or Mark Burger.***** 
The culture of mental health in agriculture By Sally Colby, Country Folks Magazine 9/12/2023 Laura Siegal, health communications officer with AgriSafe Network, said there’s mental health crisis in ag communities, but there are ways to support farmers who are struggling. “Farming is stressful, and most people know at least one individual who has committed suicide or who has depression and would like to know how to reach them,” said Siegal. “Recent research has found that for every suicide, 135 people are affected.” Compared to other occupations, the ag industry has high rates of suicide and the highest lifetime risk for major depression. This is especially true in production ag and for those managing livestock and crops. “Even if suicide is not the end result,” Siegal said, “high stress levels can increase the risk of self-directed violence, the farmers’ risk of injury or accident and can increase the likelihood of developing chronic disease.” The culture around farming is important because it can influence perceptions of health, illness and death, beliefs about the causes of disease, approaches to health promotion and how illness and pain are experienced and expressed. “Culture is a dynamic process shaped by variables such as gender, age, geographic location, level of education, where they’re working, socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity,” said Siegal. “We can use healthcare beliefs to aid and support them.” She added that it’s difficult to categorize people into cultural groups, and that farmers may reside in and identify with more than one culture. Family farms have unique culture and values including resistance to change, dealing with traditional gender roles, strong work ethic and self-sufficiency. “Rural farm culture can also include expectations about the business and the family and keeping the family business viable for future generations,” said Siegal. Faith is often central to farmers, and faith can provide a protective role in mental health. Siegal said farmers perceiving their responsibility to the land as God-given and their belief that God will take care of them can be a protective factor in maintaining mental health. Farmers also view land as livelihood and a gift to future generations. With the factors that affect a successful production cycle, farmers traditionally look beyond what might happen and believe in good fortune and blessings. Cultural stressors for male farmers include how they perceive themselves. “A male farmer’s sense of self is often tied to the farm as well as needing to uphold traditional family roles and models of masculinity,” said Siegal. “Threats to the farm’s viability can challenge the farmer’s sense of family tradition, their livelihood and feelings of self-worth.” There’s stigma associated with seeking help for mental health, and in agriculture, this can be compounded by the perceived threat to masculinity of farmers. Farmers often present stress as a physical complaint, so it’s worth paying attention to any physical complaints. Most farmers are among the older members of a given population, and also likely to be veterans. “Old age and veteran status are two risk factors for suicide,” said Siegal. “Suicide in farming males seems to result from crises that occur over time rather than just one event. In general, rural men are likely to adopt more risky health behaviors than women, and the rate of suicide and self-harm among rural men is almost twice that of their urban counterparts.” Also noteworthy is that for farmers, guns are a necessary tool on the farm. Having access to guns increases the opportunity for self-harm. Female farmers also have cultural stressors. “Research has shown that farm women experience higher rates of stress than males in regard to farm operations as well as the physical, social and financial well-being of all family members,” said Siegal. “In addition to their farm duties, women have traditionally been responsible for farm tasks, childcare and farm-related errands.” As farming has become less profitable, more women have taken on off-farm jobs to supplement income. The likelihood of a high workload is associated with female stress and fatigue. While farm women traditionally support their husband or partner’s mental health, women don’t typically receive reciprocal mental health support from their spouse. Young and intergenerational farmers have unique stressors including limited land access, lack of access to capital, less access to affordable healthcare, figuring out how to maintain an off-farm job and working to establish themselves in the ag industry. Young farmers on intergenerational farms often feel as though they don’t have any control over what’s happening on the farm and may not have a say in farm management. “For intergenerational farmers, there’s a culture that already exists which allows farmers to pass along knowledge, land, equipment to the next generation to continue the family legacy,” said Siegal. “This can add extra stressors – what if they don’t want to continue the legacy or be a farmer?” Each generation typically holds views on how the farm should be managed and the older generation may not want to give that up. Churches are often the center of rural communities and can influence attitudes and behaviors of members. Pastors or other members of the church can offer counseling and guidance in a spiritual manner, which is often viewed with less stigma. The church is also a place for prevention and outreach programs. “Widespread social events are effective, especially when community pillars are involved,” said Siegal, adding that local government officials and business owners can be valuable in developing programs. “Community participation in interventions and programs increases trust in resources. Word-of-mouth communication between neighbors can also increase acceptance and awareness of mental health and help normalize participation in mental health programs.” Community programs can help increase mental health literacy, which decreases the stigma associated with seeking help. Siegal said farming stressors will likely increase due to unpredictable economic stability, increasing production costs, changes in government regulations and other variables. “Types of farming might change, especially for farmers with small farms,” she said. “They might need to diversify to increase profit, which can create more and new types of stress.” Ongoing research is aimed at identifying needs of farmers to ensure optimum mental health. “From that research, we can develop resources and programs and farming practices to minimize stress,” said Siegal. “Knowing the stressors associated with farming can inform how you question, persuade, and refer anyone you might speak with about their mental health or suicidal ideations.” |
Onondaga County Soil & Water
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Our mission is to promote excellence in the wise use of our rural/urban natural resources.
Our vision is to live in a society in which future generations will have natural resources necessary to sustain and enrich their quality of life.
The Onondaga County Soil & Water Conservation District prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status.