Message from our Executive Director

CCE-Suffolk was ALL over the place in May!! Shout out to all program area staff, who made our presence known at events throughout the county this month. From the AME music festival to a hugely successful Baby Animal Day at the Farm, Marine drive-through in Babylon, and our Bloom Wellness day – we were out there spreading the word about all CCE-Suffolk has to offer! Thank you to our staff and volunteers!!

It was an honor to attend CCE’s Executive Leadership Conference in Ithaca. It was an excellent opportunity to spend time with my colleagues from throughout the State and reinforce what we already know – CCE is a trusted and impactful resource for our communities!

Our Community Education Team highlighted Mental Health Awareness Month with videos and informative posts. I hope you appreciate the expert resources this Team provides to our community. We will be focused on our DEIB highlights during June – keep an eye on our social media channels!!

~Vanessa Pino Lockel

Climate Change and our Changing Menu

Our Executive Director Vanessa Lockel has been invited to be part of Long Island's Food Council panel for the Education Series Event of experts to talk about the effects of climate change on our local food industry. Join them at the Hotel Indigo in Riverhead on June 6, 2022, at 8:30 am.

To Register, Click Here

NYS Specialist Renee Smith Mooneyhan

Extension Specialist Renee Smith Mooneyhan visited us last month in several locations. She toured LIHREC, SCMELC, Peconic Dunes, the Opening Word Graduation, our Pre-Pride Event, and joined our Board of Directors meeting.

It is essential for us to have robust ongoing bonds to the extension system to ensure close affiliate ties.

To learn more about CCE, click here

Program Highlights

Agriculture

Our Master Gardeners have completed their course work and presented their final action projects. Action projects are an opportunity to collaborate with class members on a community project of interest. The Master Gardener class of 2022 will celebrate their graduation on June 8th.

Ag held a Coastal Stabilization Workshop to educate professionals on urgent threats to our coastal environments. Experts in the field discussed the latest stabilization techniques for bluffs, dunes, tidal shorelines, and building appropriate plant communities.

Ag staff has been busy beginning their scouting programs and summer field research to address the needs of our local farmers. Stay tuned for updates on their work and upcoming department milestones.

Community Education

The Opening Word graduation held at the Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church was a success! Our Nutrition team recognized the growth and hard work of all the participants. We look forward to supporting them with their new skills.

Our Family Health and Wellness team concluded a fantastic Mental Health Month Awareness campaign where they educated staff and the public on all aspects of Mental Health Month. Although Mental Health Month is over, they will continue educating our community on how to continue sustaining healthy mental health.

Marine

Back to Bays Series is ongoing, along with behind-the-scenes hatchery tours. The horseshoe monitoring stewardship team continues its efforts to research, tag, and protect this local species. Stay tuned for an upcoming opportunity to participate in other Citizen Science programs.

The Fisheries team introduced NOAA TEDS equipment to local fishermen to review. On the weekends, keep a lookout for these educators in local farmers' markets.

Suffolk County Farm/ 4-H

The Farm animals and staff are happy to see school groups back on the grounds. Each day you see different schools visit our Farm to look at our animal care facilities, interact with our farm educators, and enjoy a wagon ride.

Baby Animal Day was a success with over 4K visitors to our Farm. Families should stay tuned to upcoming events at the Farm like Mud Day, Goat Yoga, and Family Campout Night.

Suffolk County 4-H youth Lia Pesiri, Brenna Weber & Katherine Cottral with 4-H Leader Sarah Weber participated in Capital Days, where they visited Albany and interacted with legislators, and told their 4-H stories.

Board Member Spotlight- Michael Russo

Michael Russo is a long-time resident of Suffolk County. He is a graduate of Hofstra University and a CPA with diverse experience as an operating executive for branded products, manufacturing, and distribution companies. He held senior management positions, including President/Chief Operating Officer/ VP General Manager for various companies, including his consulting firm, Premier Store Fixture, D’Addario, Terk Technologies, and Harman International.

Mr. Russo excels in planning complex organizational projects while shifting strategic direction and delivering a sound business plan. As a seasoned executive, he is a credible voice in decision making, finding sources of capital, and attracting new talent, as you cannot grow organizations alone.

Mr. Russo sits on the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County board, where he currently serves as Treasurer. He is on the board of the Southold Voice and previously held Board positions for Connolly Music Company and Revelle Strings. Currently, Mr. Russo resides in Southold, NY, and works part-time as a business advisor, fisherman, and high handicap golfer.

Last month, we held our first in person Board Meeting in a very long time at the Farm. Thank you to all our Board Members for dedicating your time to CCE-Suffolk! We were happy to have our Extension Specialist Renee Smith Mooneyhan present at our meeting.

Ask the Family Educator

In this time of hatred and violence, how can I teach my children to become kind and caring?

As a parent, you are the first and most important teacher your child will ever have! In addition to teaching a young child the alphabet and colors, you also teach values and appropriate behavior. To grow up to be a well-adjusted adult who contributes to society, a child needs to develop a sense of kindness and consideration. Parents can consciously promote these character traits in their children by both example and opportunity.

You are a role model. Children watch their parents very closely, taking in how they speak to each other, other children in the home, and to people in the community. The way you greet others is so important. Teach your child to look at a person, extend a hand, say “hello” and smile. Lead by example. Practice these “people” skills as you do everyday tasks in the community with your child. When you act appropriately with others and show respect and kindness, your child learns by example. By participating in community volunteer activities as your children grow, they will learn how good it feels to help others.

As your children mature, your parental guidance will help them to create a kinder and more caring world.

JUNE IS PRIDE MONTH

June is here and CCE-Suffolk is celebrating Pride Month. One of the association's goals is to create an inclusive environment for our staff and community. Our DEIB (Diversity, Equality, Inclusivity, and Belonging) committee is made up of volunteer staff members who will be hosting "Pride at the Farm" on Friday, June 10th from 4-6 pm. We will be at our Suffolk County Farm and Education Center in Yaphank to celebrate the freedom of LOVE.

There will be farm animals to visit and enjoy, wagon rides around our fields, fun crafts, music, dancing, rainbow treats, Drag Queen Story Hour, and much more!

We're happy to be teaming up with Stony Brook Medicine to provide educational resources for our youth and adults.

This event is FREE to come and enjoy!

In addition throughout the month, we will be highlighting notable local LGTBQ+ community members and institutions on social media and on our website. Follow us and stay tuned all month long to learn more.

DONATE T ODAY

Your support enables us to continue to be a vital and necessary part of our county’s future. Your gift today helps ensure our programs of tomorrow.

Click here to donate

UPCOMING EVENTS

Agriculture/Gardening

Gardening with Deer
Hummingbirds in your Garden
Native Plants in Your Garden
Tree Savers Webinar and Tour
Pollinator Gardens

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Suffolk County Farm/ 4-H

PRIDE at the Farm!
MUD day
Food Truck Night
Climbing out of the Darkness
Family Camp Out

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Community Education

Eat Well for Brain Health and 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's
Buena Alimentacion Para un Cerebro Sano y 10 Señales de Advertencia de la Enfermedad de Alzheimer
Coping with Temper Tantrums
Free Virtual Diabetes Support Group
Parenting Style: Your Style Makes a Difference
Group de Apoyo Vitual Gratuito Sobre la Diabetes

Click for more events

Marine

Back to the Bays Day- Strong's Marine
Jr. Marine Biologist- Parent and Me Program
Back to the Bays Lecture Series
Sea Stars Marine Camp Sessions
Back to Bays Behind the Scenes Tour

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IN THE PRESS

Port Washington News

Councilwoman Dalimonte is working on the execution of a pilot shellfish restoration project in Manhasset Bay in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Suffolk County -Marine Department.

Click to Read More

Shelter Island Reporter

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk's Family Health and Wellness team of educators has hosted the most extensive mental health awareness campaign to date.

Click to Read More

Newsday

North Hempstead Town and the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County want to add about 1 million spat-on-shell oysters to three parts of Manhasset Bay.

Click To Read More

Springer

Research projects were recently published in peer-reviewed scientific journals by Dr. Matt Sclafani, Dr. Steve Tettelbach, Dr. Justin Bopp, Scott Hughes, and Jason Havelin.

Their work involved studying the impacts of whelks and other predatory species on bay scallops and the related implications on our restoration efforts.

Click to Read More

STAKEHOLDER VISITS

We thank our close partners and friends from (picture 1) Independent Group Home Living, Inc. (IGHL), who delivered flowers to our Riverhead building for Mother's Day.

We enjoyed a brainstorming meeting with our Long Island partners (picture 2), Long Island Community Foundation, Peconic Land Trust, East End Food Institute, and All for the East End at our Suffolk County Farm and Education Center. We spoke about working together to develop new ideas and programs to implement at the Farm.

CCE-Suffolk joined Island Harvest (picture 3), one of our community partners, in honor of the grand opening of their headquarters in Melville. Island Harvest Food Bank is a member of 'Feeding America,' the nation's largest hunger-relief organization. It was an excellent opportunity to connect with partnering leaders on Long Island.

Vanessa Pino Lockel and Vicki Fleming visited Avalon Nature Preserve (picture 4) to connect with another organization designed to protect, restore, and inspire the Stony Brook community. The preserve has morphed from an agricultural destination to a working farm. Their mission is in line with ours, and we look forward to exploring future collaborations and support.

OUT IN YOUR DISTRICT

Agriculture Program Director Nora Catlin (picture 3) presented to the members of the Suffolk County Legislature's Environment, Parks, and Agriculture Committee to update the Legislators on the current initiatives and activities of our Agriculture team. The legislators were particularly interested in one of our new Sugar Kelp initiatives. Check out our latest annual report for more information about this developing industry.

We had a fun visit at the Farm from Melissa Taylor and Mark Woolley (picture 4) from the staff of Congressman Lee Zeldin. Thank You for visiting our new baby animals, touring the Suffolk County Farm & Education Center, and discussing future projects together.

Executive Director Vanessa Pino Lockel, NYS Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker (picture 2), and many staff members joined the May Day Festival. This festival was hosted by the Suffolk Association of Municipal Employees (Suffolk AME) and supported by the Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, to raise awareness of the issues facing working people today and to promote solidarity across labor unions and all working people providing for their families.

The CCE-Suffolk team attended, in person and virtually, the County Executive's 2022 State of the County address (picture 1). CCE-Suffolk is proud to be a part of the national cooperative extension system and an educational partner with our County government. Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone spoke to our county's strengths, including recent improvements in areas like economic development, downtown revitalization, and water quality.

Our CCE-Suffolk Team celebrated with the Moriches Bay Project at their Bayside Fete (picture 7)! The CCE Marine Program works closely with our friends in Moriches with the joint goal of saving our bays. We were present that this event with Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine.

CCE-Suffolk hosted the Commissioner of NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, Richard Ball (picture 5), as he presented Governor Hochul's 2023 enacted budget to agriculture industry leaders at LIHREC. He spoke about the issues of the agriculture industry, food security, nutrition security, climate-resilient farming, ag education, and the "Local Tastes Better" initiative.

Legislator Trish Bergin (picture 6) visited us and our new baby animals at the Farm. We spoke on how we can continue to work together to share resources to enhance education in Suffolk County

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