Office Information

We have a large amount of information available at our local office. If you do not find what you are looking for on our web-site, send us e-mail at Niagara@cornell.edu, give us a call or drop by one of our offices in Lockport or Niagara Falls. An extension educator will be able to work with you directly.

News & Announcements

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ANNUAL REPORT AVAILABLE ON-LINE

The 2007 Annual Report for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County is now available on-line. Just click on the link to view the report.

The report is in Adobe Acrobat format, and may be viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have the reader, it can be downloaded free of charge at www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.

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Niagara County Farm Market Website

To follow up on the Farm and Tourism Map, which was released two years ago, there is a now a new website available that gives Niagara County residents and visitors to the area up-to-date information on where to find farm-fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, wines, and other farm products. When Farmers and Consumers get together, good things happen!

Niagara Farm Markets contains information on where the farm markets are located, what is available at these markets, and offers some recipes and some "did you know" facts about Niagara County Agriculture.

Some advantages to knowing the face, the place, and the taste of Niagara County Agriculture include:

• Locally grown food tastes better because it’s fresher
• You truly support local farm businesses in the most direct way possible
• Money spent with local businesses stays locally
• Eating fresh foods in season heightens the awareness of seasonal change
• Supporting local Agriculture helps promote open spaces that create scenic landscape we all enjoy

The web site is sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County, and was made possible through a Farmland Viability Grant from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

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Information Links For Efficient Energy Use

With the meteoric rise in energy costs we all have experienced in the last year, it is more important than ever to use energy sources efficiently. The Consumer Education Program for Residential Energy Efficiency (CEPREE) is a joint effort between the Department of Design and Environmental Analysis at Cornell University and the New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA). The goals of this program are to increase consumer awareness on the importance of energy efficiency and New York Energy $mart to make single-family homes and multifamily buildings more energy efficient.

Here are two web sites that contain information on ways to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy costs at home. Those links are:

1. The CEPREEwebsite at: housing.cce.cornell.edu/nyserda

2. The Energy Smart website at: www.getenergysmart.org

With today's fuel prices, cost recovery on home improvements is shorter than ever, making it easier than ever to make energy smart choices.

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The United State Department of Agriculture Census Information

The most recent census, gathered at the end of 2007 and for several months into 2008 will be available by link from this site. Census data, in both electronic and print formats, will be released February 4, 2009. Detailed reports will be published for all counties, states and the nation. The 2002 and prior censuses at 5-year intervals can be found at: http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/ . Annual estimates by the New York State Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Statistics staff and the United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service are at: www.nass.usda.gov/ny .

If you do not have this free download, it can be obtained by clicking on the Adobe Acrobat Reader Download link. Just follow the instructions on this page to download and install the Acrobat Reader.

Anthrax Information

Public attention has been forcibly focused on Anthrax as a threat to human health due to the terrorist-like attacks on the USPS, network news agencies, and on Capital Hill. Questions have been raised about public safety and about the effects of the disease itself. The link below should provide answers to most questions about anthrax and the risks associated with the disease.

• Center for Disease Control Anthrax Information

West Nile Virus Information

West Nile Virus has been found in Niagara County and is considered to be present all across New York State. While this is a serious health threat to humans, there are a lot of rumors and mis-information being circulated. To get the "Right Stuff" about West Nile Virus and it's threat to humans, try these links:

• New York State Department of Health
  
• Frequently Asked Questions about West Nile Virus
  

Boxelder Bug Fact Sheet!

This fact sheet describes the life cycle and control measures for this insect currently afflicting homeowners and businesses.

Home Canning Guidelines -

Here are two excellent sites with information on home canning. The first is USDA's Complete Guide to Home Canning hosted by Utah State University. This booklet in .pdf format provides instructions and suggestions for canning of fruits and vegetables.

The other resource is titled USDA Home Canning Guidelines and is hosted by the University of Georgia. This is document with links to several USDA publications on selecting, preparing, and canning fruits and fruit products, vegetables and vegetable products, tomatoes and tomato products, poultry, red meats, seafoods, pickled foods, fermented foods, jams, and jellies. The Complete Guide to Home Canning is also available through this link.

Niagara County Fair: August 5 - August 9, 2009

The Niagara County Fair, held at the county fairgrounds on Lake Avenue north of Lockport, features exhibits and entertainment that will interest the whole family. Features include the Farm-City Breakfast to kick off the week. There is a wide variety of features and displays, from animals to clothing. Most of the exhibits are made by 4-H members, as the emphasis of the fair is on displaying the talents of our youth.

For more information, give us a call at (716)433-8839.

Local Programs

Agriculture

Agriculture is very diverse in Niagara County, and includes animal agriculture, field crops, vegetable crops, fruit crops, and grape production. Animal based enterprises include dairy, beef, horse, sheep, and swine operations; field crops grown include corn, hay, soybeans, and small grains; vegetable crops range from cabbage to sweet corn; tree fruits grown include apples, peaches, pears, sweet cherries, and tart cherries; and several varieties of grapes for juice and wine production.

Because the industry is so diverse, staffing to meet the needs of this audience is also diverse. Niagara County participates in four teams of specialists. These are the NWNY Dairy-Livestock-Field Crops Team, the Lake Ontario Fruit Team, the CCE Vegetable Program, and the Lake Erie Regional Grape Team.

Land use issues are also important to Niagara County residents. Some of these issues are taxes, farmland protection, water quality, and environmental protection. For information on enrolling in one of the agriculture programs, or for general information, contact Paul Lehman, Agriculture Program Leader.

Horticulture

The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County Master Gardener Program is for individuals who have a strong interest in gardening and are willing to share their knowledge with others. The program consists of a training component and a volunteer committment. The training program in held every 2-3 years, and consists of 60 hours of classroom instruction on various areas of horticulture. Those who complete the training and pass an exam become certified Master Gardeners. These individuals are then required to volunteer time at the extension office or in the community. Volunteer activities include working at soil testing clinics, answering consumer inquiries, maintaining demonstration gardens, assisting in the extension office, and much more.

The commercial horticulture program offers educational seminars, site visits, and production information for growers of greenhouse, nursery, and turf crops. Information on pest identification and control is also available. Grower tours are held for spring bedding plants in April and Poinsettias in November.

The consumer horticulture program offers educational seminars and advice for home gardeners. Gardeners may access information through classes, phone inquiries, or office visits. Soil pH testing, insect identification, and informational bulletins are also available. Horticulture News is a publication that provides information to horticulturalists and greenhouse operators. For more information on any of these programs, contact John Farfaglia

Environmental Education

Environmental education is very important to Niagara County residents. Being a part of the Great Lakes Watershed, having a natural wonder, and being a part of one of the most popular fisheries in the country makes it easy to focus on enhancing our environment. Some of the programs conducted that have positive environmental impacts include the Sport fishing and Aquatic Resources Education Program (SAREP), Integrated Pest Management, nutrient management, and water quality. For more information on environmental education programs, contact Paul Lehman.

Youth Development

Niagara County Legislative Intern Program is an opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to learn and participate in the structure and process of local government.

Each intern is required to attend:

5 Legislative Sessions

5 Intern Seminars

3 Legislative Committee Meetings

3 Public Hearings

1 Legislative Mock Session

Other requirements include:

Keep a journal on all program activities

Prepare 3 resolution ideas

Research 1 resolution and prepare a 2-3 page position paper supporting the resolution

Submit journal, attendance record, and position paper to the program coordinator at the end of the semester

Provide his/her own transportation

Address classes or group in his/her home school to share the experiences provided to publicize the Legislative Intern Program.

Interns are chosen to represent their home schools by high school advisors. Each intern will be assigned a county legislator who will act as his/her sponsor for the semester. Students are seated directly beside their sponsor so that they can be actively involved in the proceedings and so that the legislator will be able to answer the inern's questions as they arise.

Interested in becoming an intern?
Contact your school advisor, government teacher or Kathleen Bowers, Legislative Intern Coordinator, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Niagara County 4487 Lake Avenue, Lockport us at (716)433-8839

4-H Youth Development

The 4-H/Youth Development Program is open to young people ages 5 to 19. Types of enrollments range from the traditional 4-H Club to school programs to individual memberships. Currently, 450 adult volunteers help the 600 youth enrolled in one or more of the 95 projects designed for 'hands on' learning. The Clover Scene is a monthly publication that contains ideas, workshops and information important to youth and volunteer leaders. For kids ages five through seven, there is a program called Cloverbuds. Some special programs for youth ages 8 to 19 include, Workforce Preparation, Legislative Interns. and 4-H Ambassadors.

4-H Teen Ambassador Program:

Promotes 4-H through manning hands on activity booths

Create floats and marches in parades

Has weekend events designed for teens by teenss

Share their 4-H experiences

Recruit other youth and adults to join 4-H as members or leaders

Is one of many ways teens can get involved in 4-H

4-H Members and Parents participating in the 4-H Equine Program can click here to see a listing of 4-H events and get entry forms for some shows and for the Niagara County Fair. These forms can be downloaded and printed for completion. The completed forms can then be submitted to the person listed on the form.

For information on joining 4-H in Niagara County or on becoming a 4-H Volunteer, contact Kim Mansfield.

Family Life Program

The Family Life Program helps families and individuals improve their nutrition and eating habits, money management, and life skills.

Included in the Family Life Program are Eat Smart New York! (ESNY! - also known as the Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program or FSNEP), the Expanded Foods and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), the Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), In-Home Breastfeeding Support, and other community health initiatives.

We provide FREE classes that empower participants to make informed decisions, from stretching food dollars to planning and preparing healthy meals. Our skilled educators work with small groups at community centers, schools, churches, or in one of our conveniently-located offices. We can also teach people in one of our offices or in their homes.

For more information about the Family Life Program or to find out if you are eligible, contact Christine Brown.

Family, Food, and Finance is a publication that provides information on family issues, parenting skills, family financial management, food safety, dietary information, and more. For more information on any of these programs, contact Diane Orr