New York residents in disaster-declared localities, whose wells or septic systems were damaged as a result of the late August flooding, may be eligible for financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to complete necessary repairs.

Homeowners in declared areas may be eligible for grant funding to pump septic tanks, perform required repairs or replace the system as needed. Damaged private wells that are the sole source of water for the home also may be repaired or decontaminated.

"We don't want anyone living in a house with contaminated water or exposed to raw sewage," said Philip E. Parr, Federal Coordinating Officer with FEMA. "Applicants for state and federal disaster assistance should advise the FEMA inspector that they have a private well and septic system."

Home-repair grants are designed to restore the home to a livable and sanitary condition. To qualify for this disaster assistance, applicants must own their home and the home must be their primary residence. Grants are not intended to restore a home to pre-disaster condition and cannot be used for cosmetic repairs or repairs covered by insurance.

There are two easy ways to begin the application process.  Call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362.  Individuals with speech or hearing impairments can call TTY at 1-800-462-7585.  Multilingual assistance is available by phone. The toll-free line is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, seven days a week until further notice. Applicants can also register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or with a web-enabled mobile device or smartphone at m.fema.gov. Follow the link to "apply online for federal assistance."

The deadline to apply is October 29, 2011.

September 10 & 11 - Washington County, NY

From freshly made Chèvre to ripened Camembert-style cheeses and aged Cheddar, the 5th annual Washington County Cheese Tour is set for this weekend. Five farmstead cheesemakers will open their farms to the public each day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On a self-guided tour, visitors will sample specially selected cheeses while experiencing first hand the region's long-standing cheese making traditions reaching back to the 19th century. All are active farms raising cows, sheep, and goats that supply the milk for the cheese-making process.

Participating farms include: 3-Corner Field Farm (Shusan, NY), Argyle Cheese farmer (Argyle, NY), Consider Bardwell Farm (West pawlet, VT), Longview farm (Argyle, NY), and Sweet Spring Farm (Argyle, NY).  Start your tour at any of the five farms. All of the farms are conveniently located within a 10-mile radius.

The tour is organized by the Washington County Cheese Makers. Download a brochure.

Area residents returning to homes damaged by flooding can protect themselves by following some simple safety precautions.

NY EDEN, has assembled flood preparation, response, recovery and mitigation resources from a national network of experts, which are available here: http://emergencypreparedness.cce.cornell.edu/disasters/Pages/Floods.aspx

Experts advise that it’s best to return home in daylight for best visibility and to be aware of any unsafe power sources. Do not use lanterns or torches until after the premises are safe from gas leaks. Let no one re-enter your home while flooded unless the main electrical switch has been turned off.

Beware of displaced pets or wildlife that may take shelter in flood-damaged buildings. Seek immediate treatment if bitten or injured.

Wear shoes in post-flood areas to reduce the chances of punctures or cuts from nails and other sharp contaminated objects.

Standing water after floods is a breeding place for mosquitoes. Drain all standing water and empty water from outdoor items such as old tires, cans and flower pot bases. Protect yourself with an appropriate insect repellent.

Download more info.

A Consumer's Guide to Food Safety: Severe Storms and Hurricanes:

Check out the Agriculture & Horticulture program page for timely information concerning hurricane and flooding aftermath.

After assessing the damage to the Cooperative Extension building at Fonda Fair, Cooperative Extension staff and volunteers worked steadily today to clean and prepare the building in time for exhibition.

While damage to the building and a shortened fair time schedule will curtail some activites normally enjoyed by the public and 4-H members, staff is doing all that is possible to present learning activities in a variety of ways. Although further constricted by reduced funding and therefore reduced staff, Extension still regards the Fonda Fair experience as a time to teach timely, useful information as well as an opportunity to connect with residents.

While to some the Fonda Fair is the unofficial end of the summer, to many 4-H members it is their opportunity to be evaluated on what they have learned during the current 4-H year, whether it is a dairy or beef cow, a rabbit, vegetable garden's bounty or cultural exploration.

Serious flooding conditions exist in the Fonda-Fultonville area and the Fonda fairgrounds sadly is experiencing the flooding. There will be no 4-H or Cooperative Extension work on the fairgrounds today. Fair officials will assess the situation and make decisions about the future. Please do not travel to the fairgrounds today. We will post information as it becomes available.

The Cornell Cooperative Extension office in Canajoharie will be closed today, Monday, August 29, 2011. A State of Emergency exists in Montgomery County at this time and people are urged to comply with emergency management officials' requests to not travel within the county. The office is expected to re-open on Tuesday.

According to posts on the Fonda Fair's website and Facebook page, Fair Board President Richard Kennedy announced that the fair will open at 5 p.m. Thursday, September 1st. Kennedy has appealed to volunteers and exhibitors to "stop by the fairgrounds when it is safe to do so" and clean up their own departments. Clean up is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. Entries will be allowed on the ground on Thursday morning, according to a post.

Tropical Storm Irene continues to cause problems for many residents and public services thoughout the region. We hope you have remained safe wherever you are and have sought shelter when needed.

CCEFM, including its 4-H families, is in the midst of Fonda Fair preparations, both on and off the fairgrounds. Rising and unsettled waters continue to make the status of these preparations quite fluid. Information will be posted here and on our Facebook page as we receive it. We apologize if the posts include short notification, but during such times we encourage you to remain flexible and positive, which will aid in producing an amicable experience for all of us.