Visit to Suffolk County Farm with Legislator Sarah Anker

Thank you to Legislator Sarah Anker for meeting CCE Suffolk program leaders and myself at the Suffolk County Farm to discuss how our services can benefit residents of the County's 6th District!

Meeting with Legislator Jason Richberg & Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre

Thank you to Legislator Richberg and Assemblywoman Jean-Pierre for some excellent district breakdowns!

Nutritionists Donna Ingram and Scenquetta Dixon from Community Education shared their program’s contributions to the region, and how we can expand efforts. Support for the commercial seafood industry was also discussed!

Meeting with the Town of Babylon

Marine Program Director Christopher Pickerell & myself met with Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer & Deputy Supervisor Antonio Martinez!

Collaborations between the town and our organization were discussed, as well as how CCE Suffolk programming can address common issues and concerns of Babylon residents. 

Kicking Off Mental Health Month with Legislator

Kara Hahn

It was my pleasure to represent our organization at the Kick Off Mental Health Month event by the Association for Mental Health and Wellness and Legislator Kara Hahn at Blydenburgh Park in Smithtown!

Women Economic Developers

of Long Island Presents:

The Future of Agriculture on Long Island

I was very proud to represent CCE Suffolk as moderator of an exciting panel discussion at the WEDLI April Breakfast!

As one of NY's most important agricultural regions, panels such as this serve an important role in discussing the problems facing the industry today, and how agriculture can continue to grow on Long Island into the future.

Learn more about WEDLI

Board of Directors Orientation

BOD Orientation was a great success, as we reviewed the mission of CCE Suffolk and formally briefed new board members on their important role in our organization.

Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which celebrates the histories of Americans who come from Asia and from the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.

This important time of recognition was originally only a week, introduced to Congress by Rep. Frank Horton in 1977. The idea came from one of Rep. Horton's staffers, Jeanie Jew, whos great grandfather M.Y. Lee was tragically killed during a period of anti-Asian unrest in the U.S. Mr. Lee immigrated to the U.S from China in the 1800's and was an important figure in the construction of the transcontinental railroad.

May was chosen as the time to recognize Asian & Pacific Islander heritage because of two important dates: May 7th and May 10th. On May 7, 1843, the first Japanese immigrants arrived to the U.S. On May 10th, 1869, the transcontinental railroad was completed, a feat not possible without the significant contributions from Chinese workers.

CCE Suffolk recognizes and celebrates Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and encourage all to learn more about the history of Asian & Pacific Islander immigrants and their legacy in the U.S.

Learn more here

On the Air with LaFiesta 98.5

CCE Suffolk Executive Director Vanessa Lockel & Bilingual Nutritionist Italia Granshaw made appearances on the Spanish-language radio station LaFiesta 98.5!

Vanessa spoke on the upcoming Bloom event in partnership with 100 Hispanic Women of Long Island and the many Spanish-language resources that will be attending this year.

Listen in Spanish Here

Italia spoke on LaFiesta's segment with the BFREE Coalition, talking about breastfeeding and how breastfeeding mothers can navigate a return to work.

Listen in Spanish Here

News12 Long Island:

East End Vineyards Fear Potential Impact of Spotted Lanternfly Infestation

CCE Suffolk Entomologist Daniel Gilrein was interviewed for this News 12 Long Island story on the spotted lanternfly and the threat it poses to Long Island wineries. 

Read here

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive and unusually large (1” long) planthopper. Individual adult lanternflies have been found on Long Island, but no egg masses or other stages and no populations.

If you see a spotted lanternfly in New York:

• Take pictures of the insect, egg masses, or infestations.
• If possible, collect the insect. Place in a bag and freeze, or in a jar with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer.
• Note the location (street address and zip code, intersecting roads, landmarks, or GPS coordinates)
• Email pictures and location to [email protected] OR fill out the online form

You can find more CCE Suffolk spotted lanternfly resources here

2023 Spring Gardening School & Plant Sale

The rain certainly did stop people from attending the 2023 Spring Gardening School & Plant Sale at the Suffolk County Farm!

Thank you to everyone who attended Spring Gardening School workshops, and all who purchased plants in support of the CCE Suffolk Master Gardeners.

Mental Health Awareness

Month Resources

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, The Community Education program is pleased to offer a number of resources and programs throughout the month of May.

See all events, resources, and helpful links here

Health Happens Here: Plant-Focused Recipes at the Sachem Library

Community Education Nutritionists held a workshop featuring plant-based, nutritional approaches to improving your blood sugar, controlling your blood pressure and maintaining a healthy weight. 

Practical information and tasty recipes can help guide people to select plant-based foods for improved chronic disease management and prevention.

A favorite among participants was the delicious black bean burger!

Mobile Diabetes Screening at

Center Moriches Library

The Mobile Diabetes Screening Clinic was at Center Moriches Library, offering free screenings and diabetes education.

The Mobile Diabetes Screening Clinic, a partnership with Sun River Health, is an innovative approach to have people learn what their blood sugar numbers are, while offering resources and invaluable support.

Move More Month:

Inclusive Workout

April was Move More Month, and SNAP-Ed Nutritionist Anthony Garcia created an excellent video showing a fun workout that can be done while sitting down!

Watch here

National Nutrition Month Recap

Check out this video recapping Community Education's efforts throughout National Nutrition Month!

Watch here

SNAP-Ed Spring Newsletter

Check out the SNAP-Ed Spring Newsletter, featuring the latest from our Community Nutrition team as well as upcoming events!

Read here

Ask the Family Educator

by Maxine Cohen, Parent Educator

May is Mental Health Awareness Month; what can we do about children who seem to be anxious?

Mental health problems among young people have skyrocketed in recent years, probably as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as increasing challenges in our society. Children who are depressed or anxious, or show other signs of poor mental health, can be helped. Unfortunately, annual pediatric exams have been primarily focused on a child’s physical health.

A new recommendation of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (a panel of U.S. healthcare experts) is to annually screen children, ages 8-18, for anxiety. In this way, mental health conditions can be detected and treated earlier. This assessment (consisting of a series of questionnaires) can help medical providers determine whether a child is going through a tough period or is experiencing an ongoing mental health issue which adversely affects daily coping skills.

The new recommendation will most likely result in anxiety screenings becoming a regular part of annual check-ups. If a child is diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, a combination of prescription medications and therapy can help. The task force also stresses the importance of screening teens for suicidal thoughts. It is important for parents to seek help when they notice changes in their child’s behavior.

Early Childhood Education at the Suffolk County Legislature

Staff from the Early Childhood Education team gave a presentation to the Suffolk County Legislature covering all the great programming available to all residents at the Suffolk County Farm & Education Center.

The team was invited by Legislator Jim Mazzarella, Chairman of the Education and Labor Committee. Thank you Legislator Mazzarella!

Learn more about Early Childhood ducation at the Suffolk County Farm here

4-H Career Explorations 2023

Registration is open for 4-H Career Explorations 2023!

4-H Career Explorations aims to expand possibilities for youth by connecting them to Cornell University; sparking interests in careers and career pathways; developing academic, leadership, and life skills; and providing an opportunity to experience college life.

The event will take place Tuesday, June 27 - Thursday, June 29. The Suffolk County 4-H group will travel up to Cornell on Monday, June 26, one day prior to the start of the program. 

Learn more here

Visit from the NYS Latina Mentoring Program at Brentwood School District

In partnership with the NYS Mentoring Program, the Latina Mentoring Program pairs Latina government, community, and corporate leaders with 9th & 10th student mentees, meeting twice a month. The mentorship focuses on connecting young Latinas to internships, scholarship opportunities, and professional development, while celebrating heritage and creating a community. Our own Executive Director Vanessa Lockel is a proud mentor and committee member in this program.

Our utmost thanks to Legislator Sam Gonzalez for sponsoring this trip!

The Marine Program

in the News

Check out these articles featuring the CCE Suffolk Marine Program!

The National Fisherman covered the fisheries team and their Monkfish Marketing initiative. A historically weak foreign market and a lack of domestic demand has resulted in a boom in monkfish population, making this delicious fish a more economical and sustainable choice than ever before.

Read here



Learn more about the Monkfish Marketing initiative here

The Shelter Island Reporter wrote a story on the Shelter Island Town Board’s approval of a $200,000 allocation from Water Quality Improvement money (WQI) to boost shellfish habitat restoration. This funding will help to pay for personnel, equipment, and materials needed to continue restoration efforts in the area.

Read here

Learn more about our work on Shelter Island here

Additionally, two members of the Bay Scallop Restoration Program have been published in Scientific Reports alongside researchers from the Stony Brook University School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences. The article describes the parasite that has been ravaging local bay scallop populations which, according to genetic results, may be a previously undiscovered species.

Read Here

Learn more about the Bay Scallop Restoration Program here

Rockland 4-H Youth for

Climate Action visit SCMELC

The Marine Program was happy to welcome members of CCE Rockland 4-H Youth for Climate Action for a visit to the Suffolk County Marine Environmental Learning Center!



The group, dedicated to creating and implementing service projects to address climate concerns in Rockland County, took a tour & learned about the various programs and tasks related to shellfish restoration. They even lent a hand with some shell cleaning!

Chris Pickerell Joins BNL

Community Advisory Council

Congratulations to Marine Program Director Chris Pickerell on being named to the Brookhaven National Laboratory Community Advisory Council (CAC)!

The CAC was formed in 1998 to advise the BNL Director on selected issues, particularly on the environment, safety, and health. The CAC consists of representatives from 22 local business, civic, education, environment, employee, government, and health organizations. 

Report to the Suffolk County Legislature EPA Committee

Harrison Tobi, Aquaculture & Shellfish Restoration Specialist for the CCE Suffolk Marine Program, presented on our shellfish restoration efforts for the EPA Committee of the Suffolk County Legislature.

Farewell

Valerie Smith!

For the last 5 years, Valerie has been a committed CCE Suffolk team member and invaluable asset to the organization as Human Resources Director. She joined our team shortly before our home building began experiencing issues with air quality, showcasing her dedication early as she relocated about 75 staff members to safer environments while the problem was addressed. Valerie then led us through the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming the go-to source for guidance and proper protocol. This was also a transitional time for our organization as we welcomed a new Executive Director, with Valerie working alongside interim co-ED's Chris Pickerell and Nora Catlin to support the administrative side of the organization during this period.

Valerie handled these developments, along with her daily responsibilities as HR Director, with grace and intelligence. On top of it all, she was a leader in the Events Planning Committee and DEIB Workgroup. Her efforts lent themselves to fun and engaging staff events, and a focus on how our organization can be more inclusive for the benefit of those we serve.

All the best to Valerie as she moves on to her next professional chapter, you will surely be missed!

Welcome

Jillian Sinanan!

Jillian is a Human Resources Professional with 20 years experience in telecommunications, not for profit, healthcare, food service and defense industries. She provides strategic, hands-on support to the workforce as well as the organization’s execution of HR initiatives.

Jillian maintains an effective level of business literacy, knowledge of industry trends, best practices and employment law to recommend creative solutions to support the organization’s vision, mission and overall objectives. Jillian is looking forward to helping CCE Suffolk by supporting our employees achieve its mission of helping our communities thrive in our rapidly changing world.

Jillian’s hobbies are exploring and learning new places -beaches, parks, farms. She loves finding new outdoor fun activities for her children, going to concerts, and spending time with her family.

Morgan Morrison

Morgan is a lifelong resident of Suffolk County and is deeply rooted in this community. Morgan grew up fishing, clamming, and sailing on the North Shore of Long Island. He is a lover of all things natural as well as an avid beekeeper and gardener.

Morgan holds a BSc in Computer Science from Stony Brook University and currently works as a Horticultural Consultant in the private sector. Morgan also serves as an elected Trustee in the Village of Old Field. Morgan loves problem solving, and is excited to bring his time and technological expertise to advancing the varied missions of CCE Suffolk.

This month, Morgan took a visit to Suffolk County Farm & Education Center for a tour and rundown on the many programs available!

Bloom - Florecer:

A Free Wellness Event

Saturday, May 6, 2023, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Bloom is an annual event held at the Suffolk County Farm & Education Center for families to enjoy the spring weather and explore resources & activities focused on wellness and health. This year, the event will be held in collaboration with 100 Hispanic Women of Long Island, offering more resources for our Spanish-speaking communities!

Join us on for a fun and family friendly celebration of wellness, featuring hay rides, farm animals, health checks, nutrition classes, goat yoga, and so much more!

Learn More

Horseshoe Crab Monitoring

Sunday, May 7, 2023, 12:00 PM - 12:00 PM

Wednesday, May 17, 2023, 12:00 PM - 12:00 PM

Friday, May 19, 2023, 12:00 PM - 12:00 PM

Sunday, May 21, 2023, 12:00 PM - 12:00 PM

Thursday, June 1, 2023, 12:00 PM - 12:00 PM

+ more

Want to be a citizen scientist?

Volunteers participating in this horseshoe crab survey will be helping to collect data on spawning abundance, size, sex and tag returns around full and new moon events in May and June. Trained site coordinators will be present to teach you how to help with the survey. Sites are throughout Suffolk, Nassau, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island.

Horseshoe crabs play a vital role in the biomedical industry. The blood of the horseshoe crab contains a protein called Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) and is used by pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers to test their products for the presence of endotoxins and bacterial substances that can cause fevers and even be fatal to humans. This is critical to maintaining the safety of many drugs and devices used in medical care.

Learn More/Register

Crystals with Chris

Sunday, May 7, 2023, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Join our Farm Educator Chris On May 7th to learn more about the science of crystals! This program is perfect for humans ages 8 to 12 who are interested in geology!

Each participant will take home their own seed crystal to grow at home in a display.

Fee: $15, Kids 8-12

Register Here

The Parent Cafe

Selden: Mondays, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | May 8th - May 22nd

Bayshore: Wednesdays, 9:45 AM - 11:45 AM | May 10th - June 28th

Riverhead: Thursdays, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | May 11th - June 22nd

Free classes covering a different topic each week, paired with a light breakfast! Meet with Parent Educators, Nutrition Educators, and Lactation Consultants at three participating locations:

Bayshore

Family Service League | 1444 Fifth Avenue, Bayshore 11706

Learn More/Register

Riverhead

CCE Suffolk Offices, First Floor Meeting Rm | 423 Griffing Avenue, Riverhead 11901

Learn More/Register

Selden

Middle Country Library | 575 Middle Country Road, Selden 11784

Learn More/Register

Play Time, Learn Time

Monday, May 8, 2023, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Thursday, May 11, 2023, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Monday, May 15, 2023, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Thursday, May 18, 2023, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Monday, May 22, 2023, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Thursday, May 25, 2023, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

The Community Education Program is proud to offer Play Time, Learn Time at the Farm’s Nature Explore Classroom, located at 350 Yaphank Avenue, Yaphank.

Bring your little ones (ages 1-5, siblings welcome) to discover this outdoor space which allows for plenty of messy play, building and interactive art exploration as well as a music and movement area. While your little ones play nearby, our Parent Educators will be available to answer your parenting questions.

Play Time, Learn Time is free and is being offered every Monday and Thursday from 2:00-3:00 from April 17 through May 25, 2023. You are welcome to come to one or all of the available dates, no registration required!

Learn More

Cook a Fish, Give a Fish (Online)

Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Cook a Fish, Give a Fish is a unique cooking class: while expert chefs teach you how to turn fresh fish into fabulous meals, fisheries experts from Eating with the Ecosystem & the CCE Suffolk Marine Program teach everything you want to know about the fish, the fishermen, and the many benefits of choosing local seafood. Plus, each ticket purchased provides 25 local seafood meals for community members in need!

The May 9th online class will be led by Chef Ryan Barth-Dwyer of Little Fish in Southold. Born and raised on Long Island, Ryan was exposed to a wide range of cultural influences, including New York City's vibrant music scene and diverse food culture. One of his main sources of culinary inspiration comes from Turkish cuisine, which he has studied and incorporated into his own dishes.

Join us as Chef Ryan takes participants through the preparation of a delicious Monkfish Tikka Masala!

Learn More/Register

Fuel Your Family

Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Tuesday, May 23, 2023, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

This class will show you how to keep you and your family healthy! Learn all about how to make well balanced meals, while on a budget.



Zoom Link

Password: MAY

También en español

Community Education

Mental Health Month

Online Workshops

Caring for Yourself: Managing Grief and Loss

Friday, May 12, 2023, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Losing a loved one is both a universal and deeply personal human experience, however conversations around grief and loss are oftentimes taboo and difficult to have. The COVID-19 pandemic and other national and international events have also exacerbated our losses and upended our lives in a myriad of ways. This workshop explores ways to better understand and manage grief and loss, whether it be the loss of a loved one or other secondary losses (job, financial security, social connections). This program will help participants build their knowledge base about the different types of grief, models to best understand grief and to develop strategies to care for themselves and their families, friends, and others during challenging times.

Register Here



Caring for Yourself in Stressful Times

Monday, May 15, 2023, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Caring for oneself means taking time to do things for our own mental, emotional, and physical health. Often, we forget about self-care as we become stressed or overwhelmed, just when we need it most. Caring for oneself allows us to be more resilient and better manage stress allowing us to do a better job of meeting our responsibilities. During this program we will review reactions to stress, introduce strategies for stress management, and offer suggestions for self-care.

Register Here

Understanding the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)

on a child’s health and well being

Thursday, May 18, 2023, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Childhood exposure to stress and trauma can have lasting effects on the body and brain. Research suggests that these may only be risk factors and the negative effects of these adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may be buffered by positive and protective experiences. This workshop explores how we have come to understand this phenomenon. Participants will learn about how our stress response system works when we experience traumatic events and ways to build resilience to become more effective parents.

Register Here

Mindfulness and Managing Stress

Wednesday, May 24, 2023, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Presented by Erica Posniak M.D.

Board Certified Physician and Qualified Mindfulness Teacher

Mindfulness has many health benefits. Mindfulness practice results in an increased sense of well-being. It helps manage stress; calming us and keeping us grounded and emotionally balanced. During this hour-long class you will learn about mindfulness and how it can help you manage the stress in your life. Join us and learn how to take control of your wellness.

Register Here

Baby Animal Day

Saturday, May 13, 2023, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

We are thrilled to hold one of our favorite events once again! Bring your family and friends to enjoy a day on the farm with baby animals, wagon rides, food trucks, games, and more!

$15 per person ages 3+ (if you don't buy tickets in advance, $20 per person at the gate)

All guests ages 3+ are required to have a ticket. Everyone under the age of 3 do NOT require a ticket to attend.

No dogs are allowed

Last entry 3:00PM

Parking is FREE

*OPEN TOED SHOES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN ANIMAL AREAS SO PLEASE DRESS ACCORDINGLY*

No refunds. Any refunds given, will be at the discretion of the Suffolk County Farm.

Persons with disabilities should contact the Farm Office before the event:

(631) 852-4600

Learn More/Register

Goat Yoga

Saturday, May 13, 2023, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Saturday, May 27, 2023, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Saturday, June 3, 2023, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

+more

Enjoy yoga on the farm with our friendly goats. Goat yoga is a fun twist to the more traditional flow. End your day in downward dog while having some laughs. All levels are welcome to goat yoga, but best for ages 8 and up. Taught by certified instructors.

Please bring your own:

• Yoga Mat
• Water bottle

Learn More/Register

Agritourism Workshop Series

Monday, May 15, 2023, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Monday, June 19, 2023, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Monday, July 17, 2023, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Are you thinking of starting an agritourism business or are you currently operating one?

Join our monthly lunch-hour, workshop virtual series and learn how to grow your agritourism business!

Sessions will focus on specific topics to help aspiring agritourism entrepreneurs grow their knowledge and profit through this exciting on-farm business.

Register Here

Recipes in a SNAP

Tuesday, May 16, 2023, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Free! Follow along with our very own Nutritionists to learn how to make healthy and delicious meals in a SNAP!

Zoom Link

Password: MAY

Unpacking Gender

Part 1 | Tuesday, May 16, 2023, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Part 2 | Tuesday, June 6, 2023, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Part 1: Reframe traditional understandings of gender, build a deeper understanding of gender-diverse individuals and the LGBTQIA+ community, and offer everyday skills to navigate a gender-expansive world.

Part 2: Designed specifically for parents and caregivers of gender-diverse youth. Participants will review the protective role of family support and concrete strategies for supporting gender-diverse loved ones while taking care of themselves



Learn More/Register

Board of Directors Meeting

Wednesday, May 17, 2023, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

This BOD meeting will be held at the

Suffolk County Farm & Education Center:

350 Yaphank Ave

Yaphank, NY 11980

Learn More

Brewery Lecture Series

Wednesday, May 17, 2023, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Thursday, June 15, 2023, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Meet the CCE Marine team for casual and fun presentations about our work and learn how you can give Back to the Bays!

May | Greenport Harbor Brewery, 42155 Main Road, Peconic NY

Join Marine Team expert Kate Rossi-Snook and learn about Oyster Reef Restoration! 

More information here

June | Kidd Squid, 11 Spring Street, Sag Harbor NY

Marine Team expert Kim Manzo will talk about habitat restoration with Eelgrass + Marine Meadows! 

More information here

July | Greenport Harbor Brewery, 42155 Main Road, Peconic NY

Marine Team Expert Harrison Tobi will host this evening's presentation on Bay Scallop Research.

More information here

Geek Talk by Fish Guy Photos and übergeek Brewing Company presents:

CCE Marine Educator

Dr. Matt Sclafani

Thursday, May 18, 2023, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

A collaboration between Fish Guy Photos and übergeek Brewing Company, “Geek Talks” is a lecture series with a night of great drinks, delicious food, and a wealth of knowledge shared by local naturalists, educators, researchers, and more.

This talk by our own Dr. Matt Scalafani, Project Leader of the Horseshoe Crab Monitoring Network, will delve into all things horseshoe crab and how you can help CCE Suffolk collect valuable data

Learn More

The Rotary Club of Huntington and

CCE Suffolk Marine Present:

Oyster Reef Project

Speakers Forum

Tuesday, June 6, 2023, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

In Part 3 of this forum, CCE Marine experts will discuss how cutting-edge shellfish research allows us to better understand the value of these amazing animals. How will they aid in our efforts to restore and enhance our local marine environment?

Learn More