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ABOUT SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION Keeping up with the Joneses – How Neighbors Influence Shoreline Type When: Wednesday, June 21st at 7pm Where: Zoom webinar Registration: https://cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lt9tJY0gQqWfKL9vbazMNQ (you must register to receive the Zoom link) Ever wondered why your neighbor has a hardened shoreline instead of a natural shoreline? Join us for this session that will provide context on human behavior related to shorelines. This presentation will share research-based information on predictors of shoreline type, or what influences a property owner’s shoreline type. This event will also explore research about peoples’ willingness to participate in different hypothetical shoreline programs. Additionally, there will be a presentation introducing the Vermont Lake Wise program – an example of an initiative by a neighboring state to encourage natural shorelines and protect lake health. Questions? Contact Camille Marcotte, Water and Ecology Educator at Cornell Cooperative Extension Onondaga County, at ctm78@cornell.edu or (315) 424-9485 ext.232. CONGRATULATIONS TO SKANEATELES HIGH SCHOOL!
NEW YORK STATE AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER CONGRATULATES STUDENT WINNERS OF THE 2023 NEW YORK STATE ENVIROTHON COMPETITION High School Students in Ulster County Receive Top Honors in the Environmental Science Competition, Earn Scholarships 2023 Competition Focused on Adapting to Changing Climates New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball today congratulated the student winners of the annual New York State Envirothon Competition, which took place May 24 and 25 at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. The team from The Mount Academy in Ulster County was named New York State Champions at the long-standing hands-on environmental competition, which challenges students on their knowledge of natural resource science, public speaking, and civic engagement. Skaneateles High School from Onondaga County and Hudson High School in Columbia County were awarded second place and Schuylerville High School were awarded third place. Commissioner Ball said, “The annual New York State Envirothon Competition is a critical part of environmental and agricultural education in our state. With the impacts of climate change becoming ever more real, it has never been more inspiring to see these passionate young people preparing to be ambassadors for the environment and our state’s natural resources in years to come. I send my congratulations to the Ulster County winning team and all of the participating students on their successes at this year’s competition.” The Envirothon Competition is a series of field station tests in the areas of soils/land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife, and an emerging environmental issue. The 2023 environmental issue focused on adapting to climate change. Forty two teams from across New York State competed in environmental science and natural resource management written and oral tests during the two-day competition. The teams, made up of five students from 9th to 12th grades, qualified at the regional or local level and received invitations to the state competition. The student team from The Mount Academy will once again head to the international NCF-Envirothon to represent New York State this summer at Mount Allison University Tantramar (Sackville)* in New Brunswick, Canada from July 23 through July 29. Each member of the team received a scholarship, and the team will compete against other top teams from the United States and Canada. The 2023 New York State Envirothon was made possible through the contributions of several sponsors and partnering agencies, including the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. The Department’s Division of Land and Water Resources works to protect New York's land and water through farmland protection, farmland conservation, and proactive environmental stewardship programs. Many federal and state environmental agencies, soil and water conservation districts, and higher education institutions provided expertise and helped to organize the event. New York State Conservation District Employees' Association President Caitlin Stewart said, "The New York State Envirothon is the premier conservation event in the state where high school students flex their environmental expertise. The opportunity for students to meet peers from across the state and network with adults dedicated to careers in conservation is invaluable." New York State will be hosting the 2024 NCF-Envirothon in late July 2024. The New York State Envirothon Committee still looking for major donations and event sponsors along with volunteers. The Envirothon Competition is a weeklong event that includes many activities and learning opportunities. 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 Disinfecting Wells After a Disaster From The Center For Disease Control
If you suspect that your well may be contaminated by germs from flood waters or another source, contact your local, state, or tribal health department or agricultural extension agent for specific advice on inspecting and disinfecting your well. If possible, use a contractor with experience in disinfecting and servicing drinking water wells. Use this guidance after checking with local authorities for flood precautions for private wells in your area. IMPORTANT: Fuel and other chemical releases and spills are common during floods. If your water smells like fuel or has a chemical odor, contact your local, state, or tribal health department to request a chemical analysis of your water before using it. Until you know the water is safe, use bottled water or some other safe supply of water. Boiling or disinfecting water contaminated with toxic chemicals or fuels will not make it safe. Safety Precautions Clear hazards away from wells before cleaning and disinfecting them. Follow these precautions:
Clear hazards away from wells before cleaning and disinfecting them. Follow these precautions:
Disinfection of Bored or Dug Wells Bored and dug wells can be difficult to disinfect because the shallow depth and inadequate protection from flood water can allow contaminants to re-enter the well. IMPORTANT: Bored or dug wells contaminated with fuel or toxic chemicals will not be made safe by disinfection. If your water smells like fuel or has a chemical odor, contact your local, state, or tribal health department for specific advice. Follow these steps to disinfect bored or dug wells:
5. DISINFECTING RATIOS TABLE Notes:
From National Grid
Incentives and financing opportunities for forward-looking farms and growing facilities. Farming is all about productivity—the more your facility produces, the higher your earning potential. A few smart energy upgrades such as high-efficiency lighting, fans and pumps can improve everything from harvest yield to herd health. Whether you’re looking to tighten your operating costs, produce more profit or expand your operations, we can help with fresh ideas, incentives, discounts and financing for your farm. Call: 855-236-7052 We offer programs and incentives for:* LED Lights (interior or exterior) Chillers Ventilation Fans Milk or Water Transfer Pumps Heat Recovery Units Processing Equipment for fruit, vegetable and dairy operations Scroll Refrigeration Compressors Plate Coolers *Incentive offers vary by service territory. On Friday April 21, 2023 Onondaga County Soil and Water staff got down and dirty picking up debris and planting a native garden at 6680 Onondaga Lake Parkway!
From Hoard's Dairyman By Corey Geiger, May 22, 2023 FLAVORED MILK'S FUTURE IS ON THE LINE The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) potential ban on flavored milk centers on added sugar. The decision would impact some 30 million school children who participate in government-led school meal programs. In past experiences when individual states banned flavored milk, dairy product consumption was cut in half. That potential cut in milk consumption is a serious concern for children who are in a major growth phase. Milk is important for strong bones and dental health. In addition to serving as a primary dietary source of calcium and Vitamin D, milk offers a portfolio of 13 essential nutrients including protein and potassium. “What are we trying to prove?” asked Katie Wilson, executive director of the Urban School Food Alliance, which represents 18 of the largest school districts in the country. “We want to take a product that most kids like . . . and say, ‘You can’t drink this, you have to drink plain?’” she asked in the article written by Kristina Peterson. Knowing this could be a looming issue within the USDA hierarchy, 37 school milk processors, representing more than 90% of the school milk volume in the U.S., jumped ahead of USDA’s proposed guidelines with a Healthy School Milk Commitment. This pledge will offer nutritious school milk options with no more than 10 grams of added sugar per eight-ounce serving by the 2025 to 2026 school year. Flavored milk is important to encourage children to make healthy choices. In a Morning Consult poll that included over 500 parents with school-age children, over 90% of parents expressed agreement that nonfat or low-fat flavored milk should remain an option in public schools in their community. USDA had held off making a recommendation on flavored milk when releasing its proposed school meal guidelines earlier this year. It appears USDA and Cindy Long, administrator of USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, have inched closer to making a final recommendation. Ardent Mills Tour and Marketing Local Grains An Educational and Networking Opportunity for conventional & organic grain growers, organic grain buyers and ag professionals
Event Details Date: June 23, 2023 Time: 1pm - 4:30pm Location: 101 Normanskill St Albany, NY 12202 Host: CCE Capital Area Agriculture and Horticulture Program Aaron Gabriel Sr 518-380-1496 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS 2023 Meeting schedule: 4th Wednesday of every month 10:00 a.m. at the District office (unless otherwise noted) JANUARY 25 FEBRUARY 27 (MONDAY) MARCH 22 APRIL 26 MAY 24 JUNE 21 JULY 26 AUGUST 23 SEPTEMBER 27 OCTOBER 25 NOVEMBER 15 DECEMBER 20 YOU PICK STRAWBERRY ORCHARDS IN CENTRAL NEW YORK ABBOTTS FARM 3275 Cold Spring Rd. Baldwinsville, NY Phone: 315-638-7783 June-July Fruit ripeness and volume depend on the weather. It’s always wise to call ahead and make sure we’re open before you come out. You can also keep up to date with us on Facebook. We keep our berry patch as weed-free as possible. Our strawberries are grown on raised beds, which makes them easier to reach. We also put straw between rows and plastic mulch within rows to keep the berries clean and your feet dry. Be sure to stop at our sheds located near each berry patch to get a list of what rows are open to pick that day and to pick up a container. We do take major credit cards (Visa, Master Card & Discover) in the field. Berries are sold by the pound on a first-come, first-served basis. Keep in mind that berries keep longer when picked in the cool of the day and refrigerated as soon as possible. There’s not much shade in a berry patch, so dress for the weather and bring your sunscreen. We will give you our reusable waxed boxes to fill! If you need to cool down after picking, we have ice cream in our Country Store as well as cool drinks and many other treats. --------------------------------------------------------- Emmi Farms 1482 West Genesee Rd. Baldwinsville, NY 13027 315-635-7529 Mid to Late June
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Navarino Orchard 3655 Cherry Valley Turnpike Syracuse, NY 13215 info@navarinoorchard.com 315-673-9181 June June is the month for strawberry picking. We grow several varieties, including Earliglow, Wendy, and Jewel, which are all ideal for making your own jams! UPDATES ON MICRON IN CENTRAL NEW YORK Spectrum News by Luke Parsnow April 28, 2023 Committee of local representatives will help guide decisions as CNY preps for Micron facility. A Community Engagement Committee will aim to keep the local concerns and needs of the Central New York community front and center as the region transitions and prepares for Micron Technology’s massive chip manufacturing facility that will be built in Clay, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday in Syracuse. The 15-member panel is designed to make sure the regional needs of training workers, education systems, housing, child care support and infrastructure are addressed in the coming years as the project takes hold. It will be made up of Micron representatives and familiar regional people and institutions, including Syracuse Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens, East Syracuse-Minoa Central School District Superintendent Donna J. DeSiato, Town of Clay Supervisor Damian Ulatowski, SUNY Oswego Chief of Staff Kristi Eck, and leadership members of the Onondaga Nation, Empire State Development, Syracuse Community Health, Food Bank of Central New York and others. The committee will be co-chaired by Melanie Littlejohn, vice president for customer and community engagement at National Grid, and Tim Penix, vice president of SUNY Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center. “It’s imperative we have the local voices guiding decisions,” Gov. Hochul said Friday in Syracuse. Micron will build a chip manufacturing facility in the White Pine Commerce Park in the town of Clay, composing of four 600,000-square-foot “clean rooms,” on that site, which will be roughly 40 football fields in size, making it one of the largest construction projects in North America. It will bring thousands of jobs and invest up to $100 billion in the region over the next 20 years. “We want to make Micron not just a great place to work here. We want to make Clay and the surrounding communities a great place to live,” said Micron President and CEO Sanjay Mehrotra, who visited the Clay site Friday morning. Micron itself is investing $250 million into the transformation process and the state is investing $150 million to that effort. “Micron, no matter where I go in New York state, they know the name, they know the impact and they know the possibilities,” Hochul said. Earlier this month, the company and officials unveiled a partnership that will bring together colleges, universities, and community partners to invest in workforce development in the semiconductor industry. From New Channel 7 Ag report: Tapping trees, but not maple By Emily Griffin Published: May. 3, 2023 at 7:06 AM EDT LAKE PLACID, New York (WWNY) - We know that the maple industry is huge in the north country, but maple season doesn’t last very long and is entirely weather dependent. So, researchers are looking at other trees to tap. At the Uihlein Maple Research Forest in Lake Placid, forest director Adam Wild has found a new source of syrup: beech trees. “Part of what we do at Cornell University in our maple program is doing research to help grow the maple industry,” he said, “and help landowners looking at other resources in our native ecosystems we can utilize.” Beech trees don’t have a ton of use. They’re considered a nuisance by some, so researchers wanted to put them to use and they’ve never been studied for their sap. “We look at tapping beech trees as kind of an open world with no knowledge out there,” Wild said, “so it’s exciting to do research when there’s nothing to build off of.” Beech trees don’t need the same freeze-thaw conditions that maple trees do to pull sap. But they do need a suction system. “The sap is coming from our spout to our drop line tube to this chamber, which is under vacuum,” Wild said. The sap has less sugar, meaning it boils down to less syrup, but “one of the most exciting things we’ve learned is that within these trees, you can get the same amount of sap on a similar sized beech tree as you can with a maple,” Wild said. Beech trees are also highly resilient to the taps themselves. “We’re looking at the growth rate and finding that the trees are healing over, the tap holes were closing up,” Wild said. “More than 75% of the trees were healing after just one growing season.” But the important thing is: how does it taste? “A little like raisins,” Wild said, “slightly fruity but not tart, nice and sweet.” Protect Your Waters from Aquatic Invasive Species Clean. Drain. Dry. Boats, trailers, waders and other fishing and boating equipment can spread aquatic invasive species from waterbody to waterbody unless properly cleaned, dried or disinfected after use. State law requires boaters to take these steps before launching their watercraft into public waterbodies. Although some invasive species such as Eurasian water-milfoil are readily visible to the human eye, many others are too small to be easily noticed. To avoid spreading invasive species please use the following guidelines:
POULTRY SPOTLIGHT
From the US Poultry & Egg Association Finger Lakes Feather Club Poultry Show Poultry competition show with various breeds of poultry, waterfowl (ducks & geese), turkeys and bantam chickens. DETAILS
om Ag Web
By Jenna Hoffman World’s Largest Soil Archive Brings History to Life In 2018, a barn on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) main campus was set to be demolished. On demo day, Andrew Margenot, associate professor of soil sciences, walked into the dusty, dilapidated barn to size up the job at hand. That’s when he stumbled upon a once-in-a-lifetime discovery. Nestled within the confines of the decaying barn walls sat 8,000 mason jars filled with Illinois soil dating back to 1862. At 450 sampling locations spanning 21 million crop acres, it’s the world’s largest soil archive. This unique find is likely the oldest collection, as few soil archives exceed 40 years. “I went in there thinking I might find a few soil samples from a professor before me. But as I walked through the barn, I found collapsed wooden aisles that previously held the hundreds of jars on the ground — some broken, others in perfect condition,” Margenot says. Upon closer inspection, he discovered the labels on the jars provided a road map. Each label included the sample date (down to the day), sample county and soil classification. History Comes Alive Illinois was among the first states to begin mapping soil, specifically Adams County, where the first sample was collected in 1899. However, among the UIUC soil archive, Margenot found a jar that preceded the first mapped Illinois sample by 37 years. That’s when the shock set in. “I realized we must be looking at the state collection USDA used to derive the soil maps we use today,” he says. “There was also soil from the Morrow Plots, so it was a pretty big find.” Each jar was labeled, including sample date, location and soil type, which provides a road map to resample in the future to learn how the soil has changed. The Morrow Plots, established in 1876 by UIUC Professor George Espy Morrow, are the world’s second-oldest continuous field experiments, after the Rothamstead Research Plots in the United Kingdom that date back to 1843. The Morrow Plots focus on crop rotation, inputs and fertility. “For a soil nerd like me, it was a treasure. I didn’t sleep for a few nights because I was so excited about this detailed find,” Margenot says. He spent the next three years cataloging the 8,000 samples, now stored in a barn 150 yards from the original barn. Fast forward to today, Margenot is ready to resample the original locations for insights into the state’s soil resource base for improvements in soil fertility and conservation. “With these samples, we’re looking at the difference between anything you can imagine — thickness of topsoil, soil erosion, the amount of carbon and nutrients from the past 120 years of collections,” Margenot says. He expects the data will benefit farmers, engineers and municipal planners, and could reveal interesting stories to tell about erosion, climate and sustainability. “We want to continue this public mission that began in the 1800s by resampling the locations from the archive. To do that, we need permission from landowners to sample their soil,” Margenot says. “We will do all the work; we just need permission.” Permitting landowners can expect the team to use a 1.5" diameter probe to pull a soil sample at a 3' depth from three points across a 10' to 15' area. They will then share the soil data with landowners before stripping identifying location data from the samples and entering them into a database for analysis and comparison with the old soils. From there, the database will be made available for researchers, landowners and other stakeholders. “With this find, we have an opportunity to understand our state’s soils to an extent that no other part of the world will have. We need the public’s help to continue this legacy of learning about our soils, thereby providing farmers with more knowledge to use on-farm,” Margenot says. mediation assistance for farmers |
Onondaga County Soil & Water
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TO ACCESS OUR ONLINE PARTNERS CLICK ON LINKS BELOW Skaneateles Lake Watershed SKANLAKEINFO.ORG Kettle Lakes Watershed News: www.uppersusquehanna.org/usc/kettle-lakes/ Sharing the Road with Slow Moving Vehicles - What you need to know. http://www.safeny.ny.gov/media/SMV-broc4-09.pdf Water Deflectors - Managing Surface Water & Reducing Erosion on Unpaved Roads http://cceonondaga.org/resources/water-deflectors-managing-surface-water-and-reducing-erosion-on-unpaved-roads What's the Poop on Manure Lagoons? To watch the interview, click belowhttp://www.newyorkupstate.com/news/2017/06/whats_the_poop_on_manure_lagoons_see_how_they_work_why_farmers_need_them_video.html Information on Hemlock Wooly Adelgid https://blogs.cornell.edu/nyshemlockinitiative/ https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7250.html https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/hwafactsheet.pdf http://nyis.info/invasive_species/hemlock-woolly-adelgid/ |
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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.
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