May E-News

May 2025 | Vol. 17 Issue 5

Cornell Cooperative Extension Steuben County helps create prosperity for Steuben County through programs and partnerships focused on agriculture and natural resources, health and nutrition, and youth development. CCE Steuben staff deliver research-based solutions to local issues. CCE Steuben is conducting a needs assessment to identify important issues and opportunities within the local community to help guide and shape our programming over the next three years. By completing this survey, you are helping direct the work of CCE Steuben in serving your needs. This survey should only take about 10 minutes of your time. Your answers are completely anonymous. Your completion of this survey is greatly appreciated!

Complete Survey Here

Tri-County Rural Veterinary, PLLC Free Vet Health Check Day

May 3, 2025

Click the Button below for all details and Information.

Free Health Check Day Info

Enroll Here

Full Event Info Here

Spring is here and there are so many things to do in the Finger Lakes!

Finger Lakes Farm Country (FLFC) makes it easy to locate farm experiences and farm stays. From family gatherings at a restaurant offering farm-to-table options to various on farm experiences, you can plan a fun daytrip, event, or longer holiday centered around Steuben County Agriculture right from Finger Lakes Farm Country.

Farm producers and agritourism business owners, don't forget to list your events with FLFC! If you aren't a listed producer/farm and would like to be,

Complete The Participation Form

Or if you have questions about Finger Lakes Farm Country, please contact Kevin Peterson at kpeterson@corningfingerlakes.com or call 607-936-6544.

Spongy Moth: Managing a

Tree-Devastating Pest

June 5, 2025, 7:00 PM

via ZOOM

The spongy moth (formerly known as the gypsy moth) poses a significant threat to our shade trees, with recent resurgences reported in some areas. These caterpillars feed voraciously on tree foliage, and during peak activity, their falling droppings can even mimic the sound of rainfall!

In this program, we’ll explore how to identify this pest, understand its life cycle, and assess the damage it can cause. We’ll place particular emphasis on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques, as well as pesticide treatments, to help manage these pests effectively using environmentally friendly approaches. We’ll also talk about the natural biocontrols that can help manage future outbreaks.

or Visit

https://cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZoxfrVK7RBqq0zQOktiP_w#/registration

Picture: E. Bradford Walker, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, Bugwood.org

Ag Energy NY website has been updated making it easier to access guidance for different types of farm's needs!

Now offering one-on-one consultations for all your ag energy needs, including Solar and Wind Energy! If you are thinking about leasing land to alternative energy, set up a consultation to learn more about how your decisions impact you in the long run!

Contact Gabriel Gurley, rg523@cornell.edu for assistance and additional information!

Enjoy a Nutritious Twist on Cinco de Mayo Favorites

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of culture, history, and of course—delicious food! This year, why not honor the holiday with meals that are both festive and nourishing?

While we celebrate the Mexican army’s victory at the Battle of Puebla, we can also embrace the vibrant flavors of Mexican cuisine in a way that supports our health and well- being.

Mexican food is naturally rich in wholesome ingredients like beans, avocados, tomatoes, corn, limes, and fresh herbs. With a few easy swaps, your Cinco de Mayo feast can be as nutritious as it is tasty:

Skip the fried chips and serve baked tortilla wedges with fresh guacamole or salsa. Go lean with grilled chicken or black beans instead of ground beef or fried meats in tacos and burritos. Or try SNAP-Ed’s recipe for Simple Fish Taco's.

Load up on veggies—add sautéed peppers, onions, tomatoes, spinach, or zucchini for extra fiber and color.

Portion smart by choosing corn tortillas over flour—they’re typically smaller and contain more fiber.

Rethink your drink- try a sparkling water with lime for your celebration beverage.

Food is just one part of the celebration. Take time to learn and connect to the history of Cinco de Mayo and the cultural traditions behind the meals you enjoy.

Check out other great recipes from SNAP-Ed.org like:

Bean and Rice Burritos

Mexican Street Corn

Guacamole

Wishing you a happy and healthy Cinco de Mayo!

Useful Links

Check out all of our publications here!

County Enrollment, Subscription, and Support

The Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program with Cornell Cooperative Extension offers educational programming and research based information to agricultural producers, growers, and agribusinesses in the five county region of Southwestern New York.

Our specialists work with Cornell Faculty and Extension Educators statewide to address the issues that impact the agricultural industry and provide services to farms of all sizes and production techniques. The educational programming and support that we offer ranges from workshops to on-farm events, and includes one-on-one consultations. Our program is designed to meet the rapidly changing needs of our region's diverse agricultural community.

For more information, contact any of the specialists.

Please support CCE Steuben by signing up for their enrollment programs.

Reach out to CCE-Steuben at 607-664-2300 and ask about enrollment.

The enrollment form can be found online, here.

The Cornell Vegetable Program works with Cornell faculty and Extension educators to address the issues that impact the New York vegetable industry. The team offers educational programs and information to growers, processors, and agribusiness professionals in pest management, variety evaluation, cultural practices, market development, and farm food safety.

Cornell Vegetable Program Specialists expertise includes processing vegetables, fresh market vegetables, weed science, soil health, food safety, organic, marketing, greenhouses and high tunnels.

Learn more about the specialists HERE.

To enroll click here.

The Finger Lakes Grape Program (FLGP) is a regional extension program of Cornell Cooperative Extension serving the grape and wine industry of the Finger Lakes.

The staff of the Finger Lakes Grape Program is committed to providing grape growers in the Finger Lakes and beyond with cutting edge, research-based information to help them improve the productivity and sustainability of their vineyards and the quality of the fruit that they produce. We work with researchers and extension staff from Cornell and other institutions to create informative extension materials and programs that help to keep grape growing a viable and profitable industry that enhances the communities of the Finger Lakes and upstate New York.

Learn more about the specialist HERE.

To enroll click here.