Forestry

What's That Purple Thing in the  

Tree?

4-H  

4-H Youth Science, Engineering & Technology Program (4-H SET)

National 4-H is working to reach a bold goal of engaging one million new young people in science programs by 2013. Currently, 4-H Science programs reach more than 5 million youth with hands-on learning experiences to ensure global competitiveness and prepare the next generation of science, engineering and technology leaders.

4-H's approach is comprehensive and holistic-from agriculture to climate change to alternative energy-youth are learning about highly relevant complex systems and issues that will ensure their contributions to their communities today and their success as global leaders tomorrow.

A 4-H Science experience is a program that is framed in science, engineering and technology (SET) concepts and based on national science education standards. It intentionally targets the development of SET knowledge, skills, and abilities. Additionally, it integrates the Essential Elements and engages participants in experiential and inquiry-based learning, allowing them to build deep understanding from these learning experiences. (Full Article) 

Agriculture      

Home Composting

It's well into the growing season, and our regular yard and garden chores may have produced quite a bit of seemingly useless debris: uprooted weeds, maybe the scraps from the first vegetables of the season, and - given the abundant rainfall - a mountain of grass clippings. Some may be surprised to learn that we don't need to waste a lot of time and effort disposing of these materials; in fact we can use them to produce a valuable resource for our homes: compost.  Home composting is a low-cost, easy to manage method of dealing with these materials, and it leaves you with a great amendment to improve the soil around your home.  (Full article) 

Be on the Lookout For...

Squash Bug is a grayish brown, shield-shaped insect about three quarters of an inch long. The adults emerge sometime in June and lay small clusters of copper-colored eggs on the undersides of winter and summer squashes. The pale grayish green nymphs that hatch feed on the host plants by piercing the leaf with needle-like mouthparts and suck the juices out. Leaves will start to develop small yellow spots on them, and fruit will develop small, sunken spots. The insecticide Sevin (or other products with the active ingredient carbaryl) is an effective control, but it's not difficult to control squash bug by inspecting your squashes and pumpkins every few days starting in late June or early July and scraping off egg clusters before they hatch.  (Full article) 

Family & Consumer Resource

Barbecue Bliss: Keeping  

Bacteria at Bay

Love Your Money

Learn more about Families Food and Fitness on our YouTube channel!  http://www.extension.org/pages/23939/instructional-videos

Project Launches Nutrient-dense Juneberry as New Fruit Crop for the Northeast

Fruit lovers, athletes and health-wise consumers take note: The next locally grown and healthful food may come in the form of a little purple berry packing a more powerful protein-fiber-riboflavin-iron-calcium-antioxidant punch than blueberries.  http://www.extension.org/pages/59544/project-launches-nutrient-dense-juneberry-as-new-fruit-crop-for-the-northeast

Food & Nutrition    

Learn to Cook Quick, Healthy, Delicious Meals at Home with Nutrition Connections  

Do you or someone you know need a quick course in  basic cooking?  Would you like to learn new ways to prepare healthy meals for your family?  Nutrition Connections prov

ides in home instruction to income eligible households.  Learn how to prepare fresh vegetables or cook with whole grains.  Make meals without relying on pre-seasoned convenience mixes and packaged foods, which often add unnecessary salt, fat, and sugar to meals. (Full article) 

Learn how to make healthy food choices for you and your family!

Eat Healthier and Save Money   

Let's Have Some Fun in the Kitchen! Cooking Basics Flyer