Cornell Cooperative Extension

On a brisk February morning, around 500 students and family members gathered at one of Buffalo Public Schools' Saturday Academies, not just for a complimentary breakfast but for a unique experience. Attendees had the opportunity to "shop" for free, fresh, local ingredients and learn how to use them in simple, nutritious recipes, courtesy of Cornell Cooperative Extension's (CCE) Harvest New York team. "The goal is to showcase healthy, low-cost, easy-to-make recipes while highlighting the foods that will be distributed," explains Xyricka Ferry, SNAP-Ed program manager for CCE Erie County. Ferry and a group of nutrition educators team up with diverse local families twice a month across Buffalo schools, fostering connections between local food producers and their communities. Read more at https://lnkd.in/e-vQJMbF.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County is recruiting for an executive director to manage their $5M budget and lead with a team of 47 staff and 134 volunteers. Learn more and apply at https://lnkd.in/eWE6H9bY.

Lindsey Pashow is the ag business development and marketing specialist with CCE's Harvest New York team, focusing on ensuring farm economic viability. Guided by a desire to see successful, sustainable farms and communities, Pashow believes that farming should not only provide a livelihood but also create the conditions for a fulfilling and meaningful life. Learn more about her extension story by visiting https://lnkd.in/ehGCk9yj.

On Friday, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County (CCE Suffolk) celebrated the start of the shellfish restoration season with an oyster spawning event at the Suffolk County Marine Environmental Learning Center in Southold. For more than 30 years, CCE Marine Program scientists have been cultivating shellfish to replenish local waters. More than 145 million oyster larvae are distributed from the facility every year. ?? Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eYmrRXUy.

The cut flower industry is rapidly growing, driven by increasing demand for sustainably grown, locally sourced flowers. ???? To support this shift, CCE is hosting the first-ever Hudson Valley Cut Flower Conference on March 11 in Kingston. The conference will provide flower growers with practical tools and knowledge on topics like flower production, climate resilience, business planning, microclimate optimization, and how to succeed in today’s evolving floral market. Learn more about the conference at https://lnkd.in/e2G395K2.

Michael Basedow is a tree fruit specialist with CCE's Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program. His love of plants and gardening began in early childhood, which he attributes to his grandfather and their many apple picking adventures together in the Hudson Valley. When he's not working, he can be found enjoying the great outdoors – or playing the saxophone in one of three different community groups. Learn more about his extension story at https://lnkd.in/et45vR9P.

Bird flu insights: Nancy Glazier, small farms & livestock specialist with CCE's Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops Team, explains why bird flu is causing egg prices to spike but not the cost of chicken. View more frequently asked questions about bird flu in New York state at https://lnkd.in/eBYJKZnZ.

Central New York shoppers are seeing egg prices anywhere from $4.50 to a whopping $7.50. What's behind this price gap? According to CCE Livestock Specialist Amy Barkley, it's each store's individual business strategy. Some stores increase egg prices to balance out expenses in other departments, while others intentionally keep them low to draw customers in, even if they lose money on the eggs themselves. https://lnkd.in/gJnXSt2t

New York’s commercial fish harvesters are shifting their focus from lobster to Jonah crab due to changing species populations. To support this transition, the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County (CCE Suffolk) Marine Program is leading a nearly $164,000 study that explores the use of LED lights in crab pots, aiming to reduce bait costs and ecological impact. The funding is part of New York Sea Grant's latest suite of two-year research projects – funded through the NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, Sea Grant's federal parent agency.

Celeste Carmichael has been appointed assistant director for CCE, overseeing program development and accountability. Carmichael will lead statewide programmatic efforts and guide staff development as it relates to program planning and reporting. In addition to satisfying federal funding mandates, this work strengthens campus-county collaboration, safeguarding essential supports for CCE's educational outreach and research mission. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/ezPY-d9E.