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| 4-H Projects |
| 4-H Rabbit Program - $300 for the purchase of rabbit cages, wire, trays and other necessities for assembling and repairing cages. |
4-H Dog Program –
Agility equipment
a set of weaves $200
and an A-Frame -$700
A small shed to store gating and agility equipment. |
| 4-H Shooting Sports Program - Various practice equipment |
| Agriculture Projects |
| Agriculture Tool Box – containing items such as an auger ($250), probe (to take soil tests, check for pH level and soil nutrient recommendation for crops.), spare drill battery (to take hay samples with results used to assist in balancing rations for livestock.) |
Looking for cooperators for on farm trials:
Cover crops - Tillage radishes alone or in mixtures with other cover crops, plus any other cover crops of interest to help reduce erosion, nitrogen leaching, compaction, overall soil health improvement. Cooperator would be responsible for seed purchase and any soil testing they wish to complete.
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| Warm-season grasses - Longer term trials of switchgrass or big bluestem, or mixtures for use as livestock bedding, dietary fiber and possibly biomass use sometime in the future. Switchgrass is more widely adapted to a wide range of soil types and can be planted with conventional equipment; big bluestem does best on a well-drained soil and has a fluffy seed so planting requires specialized equipment or possibly broadcast seeding. Big bluestem has a softer stem and may make a preferable straw, however, dairy farmers are using switchgrass for bedding and report good results. Cooperator would be responsible for seed purchase, planting, etc. |
Black locust plantings - Black locust is a nitrogen-fixing member of the legume family and produces a highly rot resistant wood used for fence posts and as a substitute for pressure treated wood; it is an excellent source of firewood. We have a small cooperative project with the Big Flat Plant Materials Center and Tom Brown of Newfield, NY looking for superior stands of straight black locust to clone and then supply to local farmers. Cooperator would be responsible for planting and future maintenance of seedlings; these will have to be protected from deer, rabbits, voles, etc. and grass control around the trees. We would appreciate help in locating local stands of exceptionally straight black locust, with smooth bark to reduce sawmill losses due to deep bark inclusions. Donations to help cover mileage and other project expenses are greatly appreciated. |
| Winter triticale - Winter triticale produces an excellent straw crop that stands better than winter rye and the grain can be a valuable addition to on-farm livestock feeding program. Cooperator would be responsible for seed purchase, planting, etc. and trials could be designed to look at seeding rates, nitrogen applications, varieties, etc. |
| Farmer's Choice – On-farm trials can provide useful information on variety selection, cultural practices, etc. If there is something of interest to you that you would like some input on and assistance with please let us know. |
| Horticulture Projects |
| Community Garden startup funds – Steuben County Master Gardeners would like to initiate some local community gardens this coming summer that allow neighbors to collectively share a plot of land for growing their family food gardens and providing inexpensive and healthy food for their families. |
| Financial Education Projects |
| Audience Response System – Engages workshop participants in supplying financial, energy use and demographic information in a group setting and seeing instantly where they fall on the scale. Used to gear instruction towards the strongest needs. |
| Energy-Saving Tool Kit – instructional program kit includes assortment of LED light bulbs and other cutting edge materials for class demonstration. (NYSERDA no longer funds these purchases) |
| Financial Management Tool Kit – A supply of file folders, calculators, and organizers to provide budgeting clients with the tools to take charge of their financial management. |
| Nutrition Education Projects |
| Food Preservation Reference Resources - During the growing season the Master Food Preservers offer classes to help Steuben County residents learn the most up-to-date information on preserving food for their family. The hands-on class promotes canning or freezing locally grown produce either from a garden or purchased from local farmers, for out of season use and is designed for both beginners and to update seasoned preservers with the latest methods of preserving food in the safest manner. It would be wonderful if the participants could take home a The recommended educational resource, The Ball Blue Book of Preserving, could be provided to each participant to use as a reference after the workshop for a cost of $6.00 per book. |
| Groceries to practice cooking skills ($25 per class or $100 per series) - A new cooking/nutrition class that Eat Smart New York would like to offer in the county is Cooking Matters. Cooking Matters has emerged as an important force in the battle to end hunger by providing low income families at risk of hunger with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to prepare healthy and affordable meals. Participants in the six-week Cooking Matters courses learn how to select nutritious and low-cost ingredients and prepare them in ways that provide the best nourishment to their families. Volunteer culinary and nutrition experts co-lead all Cooking Matters courses, providing hands-on instruction that empowers participants to make the most of their limited resources. All participants receive recipes and other educational materials from the lessons and the adults take home a bag of groceries each week to practice what they have learned in the class. |
