Displaying items by tag: cornell cooperative extension

BALLSTON SPA —Saratoga County 4-H, the Youth Development Branch of Cornell Cooperative Extension, has always had a focus on community service, and 2020 hasn’t changed that. In fact, it has helped bring 4-H’s devotion to the community and the people who live here to the forefront.

One of the more concerted community service efforts of Saratoga County 4-H in the fall and winter months is the “4-H Holiday Mitten Tree” which partners with area libraries and community centers distribute winter weather clothing including gloves, hats and scarves to members of our community in need. Collected items are placed on the Mitten Tree, this year at the Saratoga Springs Public Library. Items are also donated to local organizations including the Saratoga County EOC and Salvation Army.

Members of Saratoga County 4-H Teen Council recently participated in a new community service opportunity. Working with a local non-profit, #HicksStrong of Clifton Park, 4-H Teen members painted “Hug Mugs” which are distributed to active duty military members and veterans as a way to show appreciation and support for their service. #HicksStrong also connects members of the military and veterans to mental health services. More information about #HicksStrong can be found at hicksstrong.og.

Part of the 4-H Pledge is for members and volunteers to dedicate their “…hands to larger service.” 4-H members in Saratoga County go above and beyond to stay true to this pledge. If 2020 has taught us anything it is that we are all members of a larger community, and it is our responsibility to help care for members of this community when they are in need. The lessons learned by 4-H youth through community service will carry on into their adult lives, and help to reach 4-H’s goal of helping members become “competent, caring and contributing members of society.”

4-H Youth Development actively involves youth in opportunities that help them learn to lead, build their communities, connect with Cornell University, and connect with each other.  For more information about 4-H Youth Development of Saratoga County visit www.ccesaratoga.org.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — CCE Equine invites the public to experience one of Saratoga’s finest thoroughbred breeding farms with a free drive-through tour on Sunday, Sept. 6 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Mill Creek Farm.

Mill Creek Farm is opening its gates to allow the community to tour the farm from the safety of their car. This tour is a fun educational event enjoyed by all ages.

The equine industry is an essential part of Saratoga’s culture and economy. You can expect a delightful drive through a beautiful farm accompanied by an audio recording from Mill Creek’s owners, family, and staff. The audio recording will include farm history and what day-to-day life is like on the farm. You can find the recording and map on CCE Saratoga County’s website ccesaratoga.org in the weeks prior to this event which you can download or stream via a smart phone. A from-your-car scavenger hunt will also be available for kids to enjoy. 

This event will be a memorable family outing to conclude the track season. Mill Creek Farm is located on 1019 Co Rt 70, Stillwater, NY 12170. Those participating in the tour must enter north of the farm from the intersection of Neilson Rd and County Rd 70. Please note: you must stay in your car for the entire tour. Masks will be required to interact with staff and volunteers.   

For more information contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County at 518-885-8995 or visit ccesaratoga.org.

You Don't Need to be a homesteader to be prepared in times of an emergency. In our area a snow storm or high winds can disrupt power for days. Preparing an emergency food supply will allow you to feed your family for a few days, even if you have no electricity. When preparing your emergency food supply keep in mind your family's food preferences, and include some comfort foods which will help to elevate spirits in a stressful situation. Avoid salty foods that will make you thirsty because water may need to be conserved. The general recommendation for water is one gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation. The following items are suggested when selecting emergency food supplies. You may already have many of these on hand. By gathering them and storing them in one location it can help your household through the worst days of an emergency. If you put them in a Grab-N-Go tote, you can take them with you in the event that you can’t remain at home. This list includes shelf stable foods that mostly require little to no cooking or added water.

• Canned meats, including soups (reduced sodium) 
• Canned fruits and juices
• Canned vegetables, including soups (reduced sodium)
• Protein or fruit bars
• Dry cereal 
• Ultra-pasteurized milk (only needs refrigeration after opening)
• Dry powdered milk
• Dehydrated potatoes & canned gravy
• Instant rice
• Peanut butter & jelly
• Crackers
• High energy foods, like nuts and dried fruit
• Comfort foods such as cookies, hard candies, instant coffee and tea bags
• Food for infants and for special dietary needs
• Staples, such as sugar, salt, pepper
• Water – 1 gallon per person per day

Make sure you have a can opener and knife for opening products, and disposable cups, plate, bowls and utensils.

Store your emergency food supply in a cool, dry place that is rodent proof. Some foods can be stored indefinitely, while others have a six month or one year shelf life, so check your supply every six months, and replenish as needed.

Cooking – A grill or camp stove that heats with propane can be used outdoors. If you want to be able to cook indoors, consider purchasing a butane burner and canisters.  You may reheat canned foods in the can if you remove the label first to avoid a fire hazard. 

Emergency Preparedness resources can be found at the Cornell Cooperative Extension website, www.ccesaratoga.org, under the Food & Nutrition tab. You can also find the following suggested resources for preparing a 3-Day emergency food supply at other government websites. 

Make An Emergency Food Supply Kit:www.ready.gov/food• Determining Water Needs:www.ready.gov/water

Keep Your Food Safe During Emergencies: Power Outages, Floods & Fires, www.fsis.usda.gov/ (search for title)

BALLSTON SPA — Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County will be hosting a workshop on April 11 for anyone who’s ever considered making and selling food or their favorite recipes. The workshop will include speakers from Cornell University Food Venture Center, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, NY Kitchen Company Food Consultant, SCORE Business Marketing and Counseling, Healthy Living Market, and more.

The workshop is a day-long crash course beginning at 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Topics covered include getting permission and licensing to sell your food product at retail locations, making sure your food product is safe, becoming a small-scale food processor, the value of a good business plan, marketing, insurance requirements and getting your food on the shelf. 

“I was getting quite a few calls every year about people who wanted to start a small food business selling their own you know, salad dressings or baked goods and they wanted to know how to go about it so I decided to put together a workshop,” Diane Whitten, Food and Nutrition Educator at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County and organizer of the workshop. 

“It could include anyone who wants to sell jam from their farm stand or somebody who wants to sell frozen food through Price Chopper,” Whitten added. 

This is the third time the workshop has taken place, and roughly 50 to 60 have been in attendance each year according to Whitten. 

According to Whitten most foods, aside from baked goods and jellies in jams, have the potential to be hazardous. 

“Like if you want to sell your own Kimchi, those are foods that have to be properly prepared so that it can be safe, to try and make a shelf-stable product,” Whitman said. 

The workshop will take place at 50 West High Street in Ballston Spa. Attendance will cost $60, which includes lunch. To purchase tickets, visit ccesaratoga.org.