USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program CFAP 2 applications through Dec 11

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Are you a farmer or rancher whose operation has been directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic? USDA is implementing Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 for agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19. Applications will be accepted through December 11, 2020

CFAP 2 will provide up to $14 billion to eligible producers of certain row crops, livestock, dairy, specialty crops, aquaculture, and more. All eligible commodities, payment rates, and calculations can be found on farmers.gov/cfap. CFAP 2 is a separate program from the first iteration of the program (CFAP 1) and interested producers must complete a new application to be eligible for payment for CFAP 2.

Application Options

Producers have several options for applying to the CFAP 2 program by the Dec. 11 deadline:

Using an online portal at farmers.gov/cfap. This allows producers with secure USDA login credentials, known as eAuthentication, to certify eligible commodities online, digitally sign applications and submit directly to the local USDA Service Center. Completing the application form using our CFAP 2 Application Generator and Payment Calculator found at farmers.gov/cfap. This Excel workbook allows customers to input information specific to their operation to determine estimated payments and populate the application form, which can be printed, then signed and submitted to their local USDA Service Center.

Downloading the AD-3117 application form from farmers.gov/cfap and manually completing the form to submit to the local USDA Service Center by mail, electronically, or by hand delivery to an office dropbox. In some limited cases, the office may be open for in-person business by appointment. Visit farmers.gov/coronavirus/service-center-status to check the status of your local office.

USDA Service Centers can also work with producers to complete and securely transmit digitally-signed applications through two commercially available tools: Box and OneSpan. Producers who are interested in digitally signing their applications should notify their local FSA office when calling to discuss the CFAP 2 application process. You can learn more about these solutions at farmers.gov/mydocs.

Producers of commodities with payments based on acreage will use acreage and yield information provided by FSA through the annual acreage reporting process. Producers have the option to complete their application by working directly with their local FSA office or online through the CFAP 2 Application Portal.

For more information visit https://www.farmers.gov/cfap

Filed Under: District News

Start a New Tradition, Thanksgiving Day Walk in the Woods

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Kraai Preserve – woodlands and the stream corridor along the Ganargua Creek, photo credit Trail Works

In keeping with the season’s theme of gratitude, why not start a new tradition? Build some lasting memories by going outside with family and friends for a “Walk in the Woods” on Thanksgiving day.  The fresh fall air along with a trail hike has restorative and stress-relieving power. The joys of nature are the simplest form of gratitude.  Plus, one hour of hiking burns between 430 and 460 calories. Paint a memorable family rock and hide it in the woods and find it again, year after year. Remember to bring the camera.  For added fun, consider an outdoor treasure hunting activity using GPS-enabled devices. There are hundreds of geocaching locations right here in Wayne County. Geocaching is an outdoor activity, where participants use a Global Positioning System receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called “geocaches” at specific locations marked by coordinates. Pick up a trail passport from the Trailworks at any public library, Wegmans, or visit   https://trailworks.org/category/geocaching/ for Geocaching trails at various locations around Wayne County.

So go ahead – take the dog with you and start a new Thanksgiving tradition, just remember, we’re still in a pandemic so please practice good social distancing, even outside.

The District office will be closed on November 26 and 27th in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

 

Filed Under: Events of Interest

Leave the Leaves to Benefit Wildlife #leavetheleaves

13 Nov by

Reprinted Courtesy Xerces Society

Leave the Leaves to Benefit Wildlife

It’s Fall! The garden produce is harvested, and leaves are changing color and tumbling from the trees—and that means fall cleanup in the yard and garden.

For many people fall cleanup means cutting all the seed heads and stems off the flowers and raking up all of the leaves. A tidy garden and yard are what many people strive to achieve. Everything clipped back, leaves raked and removed, messy piles of branches put in the green bin for pick up. This tidiness may look nice to us, but it is not good for all of the small creatures that live in and around your property.

Out of sight often means out of mind for people and fall is a time when you do not see the bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects that were flitting around your flowers all summer. Where do these insects go when they are not visiting your garden? Some do migrate—like the monarch butterfly, flying south to overwinter in trees in Mexico or along the California coast—but the vast majority spend their entire life in and around your property. Many of our native solitary bees have laid eggs and provisioned nests in soil or in standing dead trees or hollowed-out branches where the young are pupating. Bumblebee queens have found areas to overwinter under branches, in rock walls, and in other relatively dry, snug places.

Many species rely on fallen leaves for cover and to insulate them from the elements. Depending on the species, butterflies and moths spend the winter as eggs, caterpillars, pupae, or adults. Great spangled fritillary and wooly bear caterpillars tuck themselves into a pile of leaves for protection from cold weather and predators. Red-banded hairstreaks lay their eggs on fallen oak leaves, which become the first food of the caterpillars when they emerge. Luna moths and swallowtail butterflies disguise their cocoons and chrysalis as dried leaves, blending in with the “real” leaves. There are many such examples.

Beyond butterflies, bumble bees also rely on leaf litter for protection. At the end of summer, mated queen bumble bees burrow only an inch or two into the earth to hibernate for winter. An extra thick layer of leaves is welcome protection from the elements. There are so many animals that live in leaves: spiders, snails, worms, beetles, millipedes, mites, and more—that support the chipmunks, turtles, birds, and amphibians that rely on these insects for food.

Leave the leaves does not mean ignoring them and leaving them where they fell. You can move them to places in your yard where they are out of the way, will not kill your turf, and will still help wildlife. A thin layer of leaves can actually help turf—but too much will kill the grass. Consider raking leaves into areas around trees, or use them as winter mulch for perennials or to cover garden beds. Leaving a thick layer of leaves in garden beds helps minimize weed problems early in the spring and can be a great soil amendment.

#leavetheleaves

This article is an abbreviated version of an article posted by Scott Hoffman Black of the Xerces Society, to read the full article click here.

Filed Under: InFocus

Black Friday Hike @ Ganargua Creek Meadow Preserve

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Photo Credit: Genesee Land Trust – Ganargua Creek Meadow Preserve

Join the Trailworks for a Black Friday hike at the Ganargua Creek Meadow Preserve in Macedon, NY. The Ganargua Creek Meadow Preserve is 56 acres of adjacent land along Ganargua Creek. The trail is managed by Genesee Land Trust in partnership with Macedon Trails. Trails on both east and west sides of Ganargua Creek accessed from three trailheads. Both trail systems offer easy, level walking through meadows following a steep hill descent. West Sides Trails: From the West Side trailhead off Bunker Hill Dr., follow a forested trail down a hill, to a circular trail around the meadow on the west side of Ganargua Creek (1-mile, total). For a level hike, begin at the Wilkinson Road parking area. A 0.3-mile spur takes you through Wayne ARC property, adjacent to Genesee Land Trust’s preserve. This trail joins with the West Side Trail loop. East Side Trail: The East Side Trail takes you on a 0.8-mile walk with two loops that wind their way around two meadows along the east side of the creek.

WHEN: Friday, November 27th
TIME: 10:00 A.M.
WHERE: Ganargua Creek Meadow Preserve, Macedon, NY
meet up at the roadside entrance on Bunker Hill Dr./Victor Rd./Wilkinson Rd. Macedon
PASSPORT MARKER: at the base of Bunker Hill, when coming in from the west side

Filed Under: Events of Interest

Wayne County Walks Planned by Genesee Land Trust

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The Genesee Land Trust has several walks planned for Wayne County and surrounding areas. It’s a chance for a casual hike outdoors in the fresh air surrounded by the beautiful colors of fall. Spending time in nature can help relieve stress and anxiety, improve your mood, and boost feelings of happiness and wellbeing and even improve focus. Spending time in nature, looking at plants, water, birds and other aspects of nature gives the cognitive portion of our brain a break, allowing us to focus better and renew our ability to be patient.

Each walk is limited to fifteen people so pre-registration is required.

Genesee Land Trust “Habitat Management Walk” at Macyville Woods, Sodus Point

More information and Registration.

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  • Macyville Woods Nature Preserve
    7474 Seaman Street
    Sodus Point, NY, 14555

Genesee Land Trust “Opt Outside Walk” in Macedon

More information and Registration.

The Ganargua Creek Meadow Preserve is made up of an upland area of hardwoods, wildflowers, and shrubs, the winding Ganargua Creek crossing a broad floodplain, and an open meadow where food and cover for birds and other animals are abundant.

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  • Ganargua Creek Meadow Preserve
    886 Bunker Hill Dr
    Macedon, NY, 14502
Filed Under: Events of Interest

Don’t Be Confused by Spotted Lanternfly Look-alikes this Fall (NYSDEC)

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NYS DEC’s new spotted lanternfly look-alikes poster

The spotted lanternfly (SLF) is a pesky invasive pest that feeds on lots of important New York plants, such as apple trees and hops vines. With the recent finding of spotted lanternfly (SLF) on Staten Island, it’s never been more important for people to be on the lookout for this invasive insect. Since SLF spreads primarily through human activity, we really can make a difference.

A spotted lanternfly egg mass on the left, next to a gypsy moth egg mass on the right (Photo credit: Emelie Swackhamer, Penn State Extension)

When you’re keeping a watchful eye, know that SLF can be confused with other common insects you might spot flying around this fall. This time of year, the eastern boxelder bug or even gypsy moth eggs may catch your eye. The NYS DEC SLF poster is here to help, with photos of SLF as well as some common look-alikes.

The eastern boxelder bug has black and red markings similar to those of an invasive spotted lanternfly nymph, but the elongated body and red eyes of the eastern boxelder bug help set it apart from SLF. You might find eastern boxelder bugs lounging in sunny spots or even in your home but not to worry – unlike spotted lanternfly they’re harmless.

With high rates of gypsy moth infestation in New York this year, you’re more likely to see their eggs than SLF eggs but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be on the lookout. If you find an egg mass remember, spotted lanternfly eggs look a bit like mud that has dried and cracked. You can find SLF eggs just about anywhere including on firewood, trees, or even cars. Gypsy moth eggs, on the other hand, are lighter in color and fuzzy in texture. You’ll spot gypsy moth eggs on trees, firewood, or piles of rocks, but not on household items like SLF egg masses

Everyone can help protect New York?s agriculture by keeping an eye out for spotted lanternfly. Be sure to download the new NYS DEC’s SLF poster to help your friends and family know what to look for. If you believe you’ve seen the invasive spotted lanternfly, please send a photo and the location to spottedlanternfly@agriculture.ny.gov.

Filed Under: District News

NYS Ag and Markets Announce NYS Grown & Certified scavenger hunt

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The NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets announced the 1st annual NYS Grown & Certified scavenger hunt! Find the #NYSCertified seal on a product at your local grocery store, farmers’ market, or Taste NY market, email them a photo of the product – and they will send you a NYS Grown & Certified hat so you can let everyone know that you care about shopping for local, sustainable NY foods!

Here are the rules

1. Visit your local grocery store, farmers’ market, or Taste NY market.
2. Look for the NYS Grown & Certified seal on a product (hint, check produce, and dairy items).
3. Take a picture of the product showing the seal.
4. Email the photo and the store name and location to NYSgrownandcertified@agriculture.ny.gov.
5. The first 20 entries will receive a NYS Grown & Certified hat! (They will email you back to ask for a shipping address.)

On your marks, get set…hunt!

Filed Under: District News

Wayne County, NY Apple Tasting Tour October 1-31st

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The 23rd annual Wayne County Apple Tasting Tour is underway. It runs October 1st – 31st and is packed with many new options for visiting orchards and celebrating agriculture in Wayne County and of course, the apple! According to Wayne County Tourism, there are many new virtual experiences that include live apple tastings, an on-line passport with trivia, and NEW features such as curbside pickup at some stops. The tour includes 10 locations, each one unique with a different taste and texture of apples.  This year’s challenge features something brand new, an Apple Tasting Tour app! Use the app to learn about all of the locations on the tour. When you arrive at each location you will be prompted to answer a trivia question and if you answer correctly you will receive a badge. You can even upload photos of the badges page to be entered into weekly prize drawings!

Visit AppleTastingTour.com to use the brand new app and start planning out your picking!

You can also contact Wayne County Tourism at (800) 527-6510 or visit www.waynecountytourism.com

Filed Under: Events of Interest

2020 Tire Recycling Event in September

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Thank you, everyone! We have reached our capacity.

We hope to have one more event later this year so keep following this website for more details.

Filed Under: Events of Interest

Birding on the Erie Canal

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Egret

The Montezuma Audubon Center is partnering with with Corn Hill Navigation to lead birding tours along the Erie Canal!
Take a tour this summer aboard the Sam Patch Tour Boat in Pittsford, NY  where nearly 100 bird species can be seen including the Great Blue Heron, Baltimore Oriole, Belted Kingfisher, Green Heron and more. This is a very popular event, the  August dates are sold out but there are still dates in September.

Sam Patch to lead this new and unique series of cruises for all types of birders – experienced, novice, and just curious. Participants are encouraged to bring their own binoculars, though a limited supply of sanitized binoculars will be available for individual use during the cruise. Face masks are required while on board.

You can reserve your seat here. Click here to reserve your seat today!

Tour dates

September 10 @ 5:30 PM

September 24 @ 5 PM

Filed Under: Events of Interest
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