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EXTENSION NEWS March 22, 2021 Volume 2, Issue 11 Ag Literacy Week Monday, March 15, 2021 was the kick-off for Ag Literacy Week, and our Farm to School/Agricultural Coordinator Nicolina Foti was all throughout Saratoga County delivering the Ag Literacy books and ice cream making kits. The book this year was Chuck’s Ice Cream Wish (Tales of the Dairy Godmother). This book highlights the dairy industry with vivid illustrations and a humorous storyline. Students will understand the importance of agriculture as an economic driver in communities across New York and develop an awareness for where their food comes from and its journey. The books were generously donated by the Saratoga County Farm Bureau. Normally, we would have those from our agricultural community come into local classrooms to read to students. Due to restrictions, the Cornell Cooperative Extension staff had the pleasure of delivering firsthand this opportunity to schools. For more information on this program, visit our website ccesaratoga.org New York Agriculture in the Classroom Kings Brothers Dairy Over 80,000 New York State students shook, shook, and shook to make ice cream in a bag during Agricultural Literacy Week! We visited King Brothers Dairy in Saratoga County to learn how they make their delicious ice cream with the most unique flavors. Turns out, their milk is sourced right from their own cows! What ice cream flavor would you create? NEWSLETTER OUR MISSION Cornell Cooperative Extension puts knowledge to work in pursuit of economic vitality, ecological sustainability and social well-being. We bring local experience and research based solutions together, helping New York State families and communities thrive in our rapidly changing world. Updates to the Paycheck Protection Program Extend Access to Small Farms Updates to the PPP Loan Program make forgivable loans available to small farms with little or no hired labor expense - act fast to meet the March 31, 2021 application deadline! If your farm business did not apply for an earlier round of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), you may wish to reconsider. The COVID stimulus package that Congress approved in December 2020 included changes to PPP eligibility for farm businesses. The new eligibility rules took effect in January 2021, and the current PPP application deadline is March 31, 2021. The Small Business Administration (SBA) administers the PPP program in partnership with local lenders. Some lending institutions may have earlier application deadlines, so contact your lender as soon as possible if you would like to apply. -Contact our CCE Office with Questions- Phone: (518) 885-8995 Farmland Access Workshops Come visit us (virtually, of course) for our Farmland Access Workshops. We have speakers from Cornell Cooperative Extension, Saratoga County Soil & Water Conservation District, and Hodgson Russ LLP. (See below for details) Hosted by Saratoga PLAN and CCE Saratoga County. Page 2 Video series: What is Sustainable Agriculture: New video animates a whole-farm approach to sustainability Farmers and researchers are working together to develop and implement agricultural practices that increase profit- ability, quality of life and environmental stewardship. SARE’s new series of short animated videos illustrate how producers can improve the success and health of their farms by implementing sustainable practices. The eight “What is Sustainable Agriculture?” videos are useful and engaging for audiences with a variety of educational backgrounds and complement other educational resources well. “A Whole Farm Approach to Sustainability,” the “A Whole Farm Approach to Sustainability” is now first video in the new series, highlights holistic available for viewing and sharing at www.sare.org management practices that allow us to produce and on YouTube. Farmers, ranchers, educators enough food to satisfy today’s needs without com- and other agricultural professionals may download promising our ability to do so tomorrow. This ap- the video and can embed it without modification proach focuses on: into websites or other noncommercial educational presentations. This video series was produced • Increasing biodiversity through a collaboration of the Sustainable Agricul- • Enhancing soil health ture Research and Education (SARE) Program and • Promoting ecological pest management Pixeldust Studios. • Implementing water conservation practices APHIDS—This Garden Insect Sucks! Most insects in your garden and results in a reduction in vigor, curling distortion, and are beneficial, so it’s reduction in yield. important to identify what Fortunately, aphids are easy to control. Carefully inspect insects you have before plants for the beginning of an aphid population buildup. indiscriminately killing any Check for its natural enemies such as mummies (gray- insect. One of the common brown, bloated, parasitized aphids -- indicating wasp insects that can cause dam- parasites at work), and the alligator-like larvae of lady age are aphids. Fortunately, they can be controlled quite beetles and lacewings. Applying insecticides can also kill easily. these beneficial insects. Aphids can also be controlled Aphids are small, soft bodied, slow moving insects that with a stream of water. Early in the day, a hard stream feed by sucking juice from plants. They can usually be of water directed on aphids will remove many from recognized by the pear-shaped body and fairly long plants, but be careful not to damage young plants with antennae. Aphids vary in color -- white, gray, green, too much water pressure. Pesticides may be used for brown, red, yellow or black. They are usually found in control, but first check to make sure aphids are listed on clusters on the undersides of leaves or on stems of fruits, the pesticide label. It is also important to check the label vegetables, flowers and other ornamentals. As the aphids to see what kinds of plants the product is safe to use on. feed they secrete honeydew – a sweet sticky shiny Always follow label directions. substance. This sticky substance can attract another For a guide on identifying insects, go to https:// garden pest, white fly. The major damage is caused by gardening.cals.cornell.edu/garden-guidance/ the aphids sucking the juices from the stems and leaves troubleshooting/identify Page 3 Gray Snow Mold on Turfgrass: Typhula spp. INTRODUCTION is likely to recur if left unmanaged. Winter diseases of turfgrasses MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES are often associated with melting Development of gray snow molds can be reduced via snow or cold, wet periods. Blue- cultural methods. Avoid late fall applications of fertilizer grasses (Poa spp.), fescues that would stimulate succulent growth. Such growth is (Festuca spp.), and ryegrasses very susceptible to infection. Also continue to mow turf (Lolium spp.) may be attacked, as long as it continues to grow in the fall, and avoid but bentgrasses (Agrostis spp.) compacting snow over the lawn. Where snow molds are most susceptible. Two have caused damage, rake the matted grass in order to diseases, Gray Snow Mold Figure 1: Infected spots encourage new spring growth. If reseeding areas where (Typhula blight) and Snow Pink these diseases have been a problem, use disease Mold, are common in New York, and may occur singly or resistant varieties. side-by-side. Since diferent fungicides may be used to If snow molds have been severe or wide-spread in past control each of these diseases, it is necessary to distin- years, or if susceptible varieties or species are being guish between them. grown, a preventative fungicide program may be used. Fungicide applications should be made in late autumn just before permanent snow cover is expected and, if SYMPTOMS & SIGNS possible, during a mid-winter thaw. Gray snow mold (Typhula For a list of specific products that may be registered blight) is caused by Typhula for homeowner use in NYS, please refer to your local incarnata and related cooperative extension. Be certain any formulation of species. It is a true snow pesticide you purchase is registered for the intended mold and appears as rough- use, and follow the label instructions. The label may also ly circular bleached patches provide information on frequency of applications to up to 60 cm in diameter obtain better control and any precautions to take to (Fig. 1). Soon after the snow Figure 2: Clavula of sporocarps in limit development of resistance of the pathogen to the melts, the infected grass close-up view of infected turf. fungicide. may be matted and surrounded by a white to gray halo of fufy fungal growth. Examination of the diseased plants reveals tiny tan or brown pea-like structures (sclerotia) on, or imbedded in, infected leaves. The severity of the disease will vary. It may be particularly severe when turf has been subjected to a prolonged, deep, compacted snow cover. Although the disease is unsightly, it rarely kills the grass. DISEASE CYCLE The disease cycle for this fungus is nearly opposite that of Disease cycle of Gray Snow Mold. most others. This fungus produces sclerotia (resting (Provided by Compendium of Turfgrass Diseases, 2nd edition, structures) to help it survive the summer months. In late APS Press) fall when conditions are favorable, these sclerotia may produce mycelium or basidiocarps (Fig. 2) that produce Additional products may be available for use by commercial applicators. Commercial appli- spores. Mycelium from the spores or sclerotia grows out cators should refer to the appropriate pest management guidelines for more information, and infects new plants under cover of deep snow during or contact their local Cooperative Extension Ofce for more information on currently regis- tered products. Reference: Compendium of Turfgrass Diseases, Tird Edition, 2005. R.W. the winter. Where gray snow mold has occurred once, it Smiley, P.H. Dernoeden and B.B. Clarke. APS Press. Last Updated, SLJ 3/19 Page 4 Capital Region PRISM Spring Partners Meeting A Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management 1:45 Creating and Maintaining Hudson River Views A th Handbook For Landowners Tuesday, April 13 , 2021 1:00 p.m.

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