"The county agent's work starts with simple and genetic things. But his eyes always lift up and forward. He works for a better farm through better men, women, and children on the farm... He knows them Like other human beings, he came to this world with all possibilities. He hoped that all they needed was his compassionate and magical stimulation to bring out the eternal and satisfying rural civilization he dreamed of from their hearts. ." ~ Kenneth D. Scott pays tribute to the county agricultural agent

PENN YAN — Last month, the Yates County Cornell Cooperative Promotion Department submitted its annual report to the Yates County Legislature as a face-to-face speech and luncheon, demonstrating CCE-Yates’ contribution to Yates County’s community, economy, and environment Important work done.

According to their mission statement, "Yates County Cornell Cooperative Extension Department uses knowledge to pursue economic vitality, ecological sustainability, and social well-being. We combine local experience and research-based solutions to help local Yates County families and communities are in our rapidly changing world."

The Finger Lakes Grape Project is a partnership between Cornell University and the Cornell Cooperative Promotion Association in Ontario, Seneca, Schuyler, Steuben, Wayne, and Yates counties.

One of the lessons we learned from 2020 is that virtual meetings can bring benefits, such as reducing driving and worrying about the weather. However, not all of our customers are able to participate in virtual meetings or just don't want to do so. In order to meet the needs of these two groups this year, FLGP has arranged a "hybrid" approach for this year's conference season.

For the second year in a row, our spring IPM conference was almost held on Zoom, and more than 100 growers attended the conference. Two weeks later, we were able to hold a face-to-face version of the IPM meeting on a farm in Yates County. Approximately 15 growers attended the meeting, most of whom were unable to attend the virtual meeting in advance.

Our backdoor meetings are also divided into virtual meetings and face-to-face meetings, including four virtual meetings and three face-to-face meetings. Growers are still eligible to earn pesticide points at each meeting. The feedback from growers in both environments was very positive.

The growers who participated in the face-to-face meeting are grateful that they can choose not to use the technology but still receive the information they need, while the growers who have participated in the virtual meeting are grateful for the time saved and the convenience of being able to participate in the meeting from the following location. office. We are likely to continue this combination of face-to-face and virtual tailgate meetings.

In August 2021, Lake Kuka adopted a new measure to tackle the star-shaped stone moss and prevent its spread. This year, the Starry Stonewort Collaborative team implemented the use of Diver Assisted Absorption (DASH) for removal. DASH is a special harvesting system that can remove up to 95% of SSW biomass. The diver pulls the "plants" from the sediment, including the attached rhizomes and bulbs, and sends them into the suction hose. The biomass is deposited on a boat equipped with filter discs to capture all debris and small bulbs. It is then transferred to the shore for drying and disposal.

Use iMapInvasives to draw a paradise tree in Yates County

The sky tree is a widely distributed invasive tree. In addition to being an invasive species, it is also the preferred host tree for the spotted lantern fly (SLF). Despite vigilant efforts to prevent its introduction, there are still concerns that SLF will spread to the FLX area and Yates County. Since Tianshu is their preferred tree species (especially in certain stages of the SLF life cycle), understanding the location of Tianshu clusters throughout the county is important for early detection of SLF infestation and rapid control and response. After a live adult SLF was found in Yates County, DEC and the Department of Agriculture and Marketing conducted an investigation for signs of infection and mapped the tree of paradise around Lake Kuka. However, other areas with high activity (ie hotels, boat launches, university campuses, and Keuka Outlet trails) are not included. To ensure coverage of these areas, CCE-Yates County partnered with Kamren Record (KUKA College Student Experience Program). This one-semester program gave him the opportunity to influence the region by helping to prevent and control the spread of invasive species while he was in college. To learn more about this project, please visit https://youtu.be/Cx3MortFgNU

The Cornell Vegetable Project is a Cornell cooperative promotion partnership between Cornell University and the CCE Association in 14 counties: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Oss Wigo, Seneca, Stubborn, Wayne and Yates, 2021.

There are 1,229 farms in the area, which account for more than half of all vegetable cultivation in the state, with farms valued at more than 200 million U.S. dollars. Last year, CVP experts conducted 3,588 farm visits and crop consultations.

The team held 83 educational meetings and demonstrations, which allowed 3,025 people to increase their knowledge. More than 90 farms and companies support our work by allowing us to carry out farm research and education activities. The team has more than 30 active grant projects.

Yates County remains the largest high tunnel greenhouse operations center in the state and the center of our research and extension programs. The Cornell Vegetable Program continues to have an impact on growers and agribusiness professionals in the New York vegetable industry.

As FSMA qualifications expand to many smaller farms, CCE Yates continues to work with organizations in the region to provide food safety education and support to FSMA-covered farms.

Our office worked with Cornell Vegetables Program and CCE Broome to promote and participate in three online food safety trainings, including GAP training-writing food safety plans and assessing and preventing food safety risks through leafy green vegetable webinars. In addition, we cooperated with CCE Seneca and Cornell Vegetable Project to hold a face-to-face FSMA training at the Seneca agricultural product auction this summer.

We continue to work with New York Agriculture and Markets to provide farm readiness reviews for farms in Yates, Ontario, Skyler, and Monroe counties. These visits are a way for farms to assess how their current practices are consistent with the Food Safety Modernization Act and what changes they can make to reduce the risk of microbial contamination on the farm.

In November 2020, the New York Department of Environmental Dialogue ended its enforcement discretionary period for certain private pesticide applicators (including recertification). However, due to the ongoing pandemic, farmers are basically unable to participate in face-to-face courses to make up for lost credit opportunities in the spring, summer and autumn.

CCE-Yates balances farmers’ demand for credit with the importance of preventing the spread of Covid-19. Face-to-face classes are held throughout the winter in early spring, with a limited number of participants and sufficient social distance to ensure everyone is as safe as possible. We provided two face-to-face training on private pesticide application permits to reduce the number. When the Covid population peaked in January and face-to-face training was not available, we also developed a paper copy of "Training at Home".

We also worked with NYS DEC to hold three exams at the county building throughout the winter. During February and March, CCE Yates and Judson Reid of Cornell Vegetable Project provided participants with five pesticide credit seminars free of charge, providing farmers with ample opportunities for recertification courses. Topics covered include integrated pest management, balanced pollinator health and pest management, potato leafhoppers, and management of common greenhouse and high tunnel pests.

Also in 2021, our association established a subcommittee of the Farmland Protection Committee to study and discuss how to best educate and support farms and communities during the rapid expansion of solar array installations throughout New York. The financial pressure on farms and the increased demand for renewable energy need to be balanced by the fact that farmland is a non-renewable resource and will become more and more valuable in our ever-changing world.

In addition, CCE-Yates County collected materials for the town committee to evaluate how best to help the farm make these decisions (for example, the Yates County Solar Suitability Map, shown above). Arlene Wilson in the summer The map was displayed at the county town committee meeting.

The Master Gardener Program is a national program of trained volunteers who work with the county cooperative extension office to share information throughout the community.

Seed to Supper is an introductory gardening course that can provide courses for gardeners of any level of experience or budget. Using a small grant we received for this program in 2019, we offered a five-week free course in Pennsylvania. In addition to guidance, we also provided participants with seeds, grafts, and a handbook, which covered all the topics discussed in the course for future reference. We hope to provide this plan in different areas of the county every year.

Since March 2021, CCE Yates County has distributed 400 container garden kits in Yates County, thanks to the generosity of Penn Yan Elks Lodge #1722 and Ag and Markets multi-county grants. These kits contain pots, soil and seeds, as well as complete planting instructions and follow-up support required.

Penn Yan Community Garden and Vegetable Variety Experiment

The master gardener participated in the annual Cornell Vegetable Variety Trial, where we evaluated the characteristics of seed varieties in our county. The collected data is then compiled with other counties on a statewide website, which gardeners can use to evaluate the performance of varieties in their own growing areas. In addition to the products harvested from the experiment, the master gardener planted, harvested and donated more than 600 pounds. Deliver fresh vegetables and herbs to the Keuka Food Store in Hope Center.

The Yates County 4-H Youth Development Program participates in public speaking, community service opportunities, from animal science to food and nutrition, gardening, outdoor education, etc., as well as various club activities.

In Yates County, more than 1,000 young people receive help each year through 4-H programming jobs. The Cornell Cooperative Extension Department in Yates County works with our local school district, library, and other youth service community partners to provide opportunities for on-campus, after-school, and summer youth programs.

Our traditional 4-H program consists of registered 4-H members (5-19 years old) who learn citizenship, leadership and life skills that will accompany them into adulthood. In Yates County, our most popular project areas include animal science, food and nutrition, arts and crafts, public speaking, and community service.

As Covid-19 continues to affect our lives, Yates County 4-H continues to work with our families and our local health department to provide planning opportunities in a variety of safe and welcoming environments. In 2021, we will provide face-to-face programming, follow social distancing practices, use outdoor spaces, and limit group size when needed. We can also provide mixed options for families.

The Cornell Cooperative Extension Department of Yates County provides a TANF (Temporary Assistance for Poor Families) life skills 1:1 program for eligible residents of Yates County. Due to program funding, this is a limited number (20 per year) and specific eligibility requirements. Although it is specific in terms of participant qualifications, the program provides a wealth of information, education, skills, and tools for family participants.

In these difficult and constantly changing times, it is very important to assist individuals and families in addressing their additional needs. Efforts include the following: Put planning materials, garden seed packets, blankets, clothes, bath towels, and household items in their homes. Encourage/assistance to connect local community resources (Keuka Housing Council, Inc./ESG, The Well, Keuka Pantry and DSS) to obtain possible financial assistance and food security. Sometimes, individuals only need the physical accompaniment and encouragement of CCE life skills educators when contacting local resources. Some past program participants required monthly check-in (text, email, or phone call, and receive notifications of any new updates and community resource information). CCE and workforce development partners provide self-sufficiency seminars.

A new program called HeatSmart FLX South is helping households, small businesses and non-profit organizations choose clean heating and cooling solutions and reduce their energy costs. Through consultation with residents and business owners, free energy audits, weather protection and energy efficiency upgrades are tailored for each individual. The goal is to allow more residents to use heat pump heating and cooling equipment to reduce consumers' energy use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

HeatSmart FLX South works with cooperative extension associations in these counties to provide services to Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, and Yates counties. The program is located at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Center in Schuyler County and is funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA). More information can be found on their website www.heatsmartflxsouth.org.

The participating contractors are local independent professionals who meet the requirements of New York State's clean heating contractors and have been selected through competition to participate in the HeatSmart FLX South program.

• Dailey Electric, Inc.: Ryan planted a family business in his backyard in Pennsylvania, New York in 2007. He and his team of 20 employees enthusiastically installed ground source heat pumps and air source heat pumps. Committed to reasonable prices, environment and quality services, they are ready to work on your next project.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA) has allocated more than $9 million to support more than 20 HeatSmart community campaigns across the state, which carry out community outreach and education efforts to promote the benefits of heat pump heating and cooling equipment to reduce energy consumers The cost burden and greenhouse gas emissions of our community.