It’s time to get involved in the 4-H Incubation and Embryology project, an enjoyable, hands-on learning experience! 

Chicken eggs take three weeks to hatch into chicks during which time your students will learn how chicks develop, the science of embryology and much more. You can create excitement about learning life science with this amazing process unfolding in your classroom.  

Shared meals nourish mind, body and soul.  

Families who have made the effort to schedule meals when most or all members can be present have experienced the following benefits:

Better communication- Mealtime conversations let family members share the daily happenings in their lives and get to know more about each other. Mealtime also can be an opportunity to plan family activities and discuss family needs.

Stronger family bond -Every family has strengths. Eating together increases each family mem­ber’s sense of belonging and provides a setting for discussions that can rein­force values that are important to the family. Regular family meals create a routine that helps children feel more secure. Stronger bonds make it easier to deal with problems that arise. 

Shared learning- Eating together offers an opportunity to practice social skills, including table manners and conversation, as well as basic food preparation skills.

Improved nutrition- A more balanced nutritious meal is likely to be prepared   when most or all of the family eats together. Shared meals also can save money.

As Yogi Berra said, prediction is hard -- especially about the future. The computer models scientists use to predict climate change are always works in progress.  In a sort of cosmic reality competition, 20 groups around the world are developing new models they submitted for review under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the international body whose recommendations were being considered at the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, which ended Dec. 17, 2009. Three modeling groups are based in the United States, and Cornell researchers are involved in one of them.

Ask a college student if she's getting enough sleep, and the answer is likely to be "no." Even students who know they're sleep deprived don't realize just how severe their sleep deficit is -- or how it affects their lives.

But new research by psychology professor James Maas shows that educating students about the importance of sleep -- while also giving them objective feedback on their own sleep patterns -- can persuade them to significantly improve their habits. More sleep can lead to higher grades, better athletic performance and improved emotional and physical health.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced several new initiatives to assure the safety and quality of food purchased by USDA for the National School Lunch Program and other food and nutrition assistance programs.

"Nothing is more important than the health and well-being of our Nation's school children," said Vilsack. "We must do everything we can to ensure that our kids are being served safe, high quality foods at school. Today's announcement demonstrates our commitment to constantly improving the safety and quality of foods purchased by USDA."

The initiatives announced today are a combined effort of five USDA agencies - the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).

A deadly fish virus that was first discovered in the Northeast in 2005 has been found for the first time in fish from Lake Superior, report Cornell researchers. That means that the virus has now been documented in all of the Great Lakes.

The viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV), which causes fatal anemia and hemorrhaging in many fish species, poses no threat to humans, said Paul Bowser, professor of aquatic animal medicine at Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine.

Across Pennsylvania and New York state, new technologies and higher gas prices are increasing the cost-efficiency of tapping into the Marcellus Shale, a deep rock formation from earlier in the Devonian period than the rocks on the Cornell University campus, to extract natural gas contained in the rock. Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) has found itself on the front lines of educating citizens and communities about this issue.

This book is more than a cookbook - it's also a directory of 15 local farms where you can purchase products directly from the producer. Beautiful photography by Tom Scofield showcases each farm, followed by contact information and a description of the farm. Recipes were provided by the individual farms. Cooperative Extension added a section in the back with general cooking information.

Quantities are limited. $7 each and are available from the CCEFM office in Johnstown, at the Mohawk Harvest Cooperative Market in Gloversville and at farms featured in the book.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today reminded residents to exercise great care when using wood stoves in their homes. With the winter heating season now fully upon us, many New Yorkers have begun using wood-fired stoves to take the chill off of their homes.
 
 “While many still heat their homes with natural gas or oil, there has been a recent resurgence in the popularity of wood stoves,” said Commissioner Grannis.  “Using a wood stove can be an economical and environmentally responsible choice; however, it does require more oversight and responsibility than other heating options.”  Read the entire press release including all the tips...

Would you like some guidance in the development of a farm enterprise, but has been unable to locate or attend any trainings near you? Are you comfortable enough with a computer to consider learning online?

Here are two basic online courses to help you think through the major factors related to farm set up. Join experienced Cornell Cooperative Extension educators and 29 of your new farmer peers in a dynamic learning experience. Created by Cornell Cooperative Extension and the NY Beginning Farmer Project.

For information, click here.