Tractor Safety Certification
4-H Youth Development provides Tractor and Machinery Certification for youth 14 years and older. This certification allows 14 and 15-year-olds to legally operate tractors and machinery while off the family farm. Farm safety awareness is a major focus. Since 1969, the U.S. Department of Labor has declared many agricultural tasks to be hazardous to youth […]
Taking a Break From the Farm
As a farmer, the idea of vacationing might seem as foreign as those little umbrellas in fancy drinks. Yet, it’s essential for your well-being. Vacationing is not just about relaxation; it’s about reducing stress and preventing burnout, especially when you’re responsible for a farm.Research shows that vacations can factor into a successful strategy for reducing […]
Getting Ready for Spring by Garden Planning & Seed Starting
Here in the Mohawk Valley of upstate New York, where the winters are long and the growing season is short, seed starting for vegetable gardens is a great way to insure gardening success and expand your harvest. With a climate characterized by chilly springs and unpredictable frosts, starting seeds indoors offers gardeners a head start […]
Herkimer County Local Foods Map
Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Herkimer County produces the Herkimer County Local Foods Map each year. It began in 2002 as a ‘Farm Produce and Tourism’ map, switching over to exclusively local food in 2009. The objective of creating this map has been to connect producers with consumers of local foods that are grown/produced in Herkimer […]
Mount Markham FFA
The Mount Markham FFA chapter was rechartered in 2017. They are located in the southwest corner of Herkimer County within the village of West Winfield. The students are in grades 7-12 and take a wide variety of elective and core classes in the CTE department. The middle school CTE program offers both agriculture education classes […]
Herbs
Herbs are the edible green or leafy part of a plant, typically a low growing shrub. This includes parsley, chives, marjoram, basil, thyme, caraway, dill, oregano, rosemary, sage, savory and celery leaves. They can be used fresh or dried. Herbs appeal to our senses of sight, smell, and taste. They also have beneficial effects on […]
Fall Gratitude
This past Sunday afternoon, my husband took the kids out for those few, last minute back-to-school things. Suddenly, for the first time in weeks, I had space. I took to the kitchen, canning the salsa I’d made 2 days before, anticipating how much we’ll enjoy the spicy taste of summer once we’re knee deep in […]
What a Crock…of Sauerkraut!
A large crock of sauerkraut sat in our basement when I was growing up, a round wooden board was placed in the mouth of the crock holding the kraut below the brine level and a towel covered the top of the crock. How cabbage became sauerkraut was a mystery to me, why didn’t it just […]
Pick Apart a Pickle
By Barb Brenner, Certified Master Food Preserver If you run out of topics to talk about this summer at a family gathering, I have one for you that will get anyone talking. Talk about pickles. Go ahead ask what their favorite pickle is, where they purchase it or how they make it. Dill, sweet, or […]
Celebrating National Pollinator Week
A Buzzworthy Initiative in Herkimer County! National Pollinator Week, observed annually in June, is a time to recognize the vital role that pollinators play in our ecosystem and the importance of protecting their habitats. In the Mohawk Valley, this celebration takes on special significance, as our region boasts a rich biodiversity and a diverse range […]