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Citizen Science, Helping to SPOT Invasive Species

It is likely you have recently heard about the spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula. Whether it is a 4-H entomology project in Kansas or in the local paper, this invasive insect is bad news.

Spotted lanternfly (SLF) is a planthopper originally from Asia. It is a very effective hitchhiker and likely caught a ride on a shipment of stone from Asia to Berks County, Pennsylvania in 2014. SLF is an effective invasive and it has been spreading into other counties within PA and to other states. New York had its first spotting of adults and one breeding population in 2020. As of September 2021, there are 13 counties that have documented populations of SLF.

Why should you care? Penn State’s Extension notes, “SLF is a serious invasive pest with a healthy appetite for our plants and it can be a significant nuisance, affecting the quality of life and enjoyment of the outdoors. The spotted lanternfly uses its piercing-sucking mouthpart to feed on sap from over 70 different plant species. It has a strong preference for economically important plants including grapevines, maple trees, black walnut, birch, willow, and other trees. The feeding damage significantly stresses the plants which can lead to decreased health and potentially death. As SLF feeds, the insect excretes honeydew (a sugary substance) which can attract bees, wasps, and other insects. The honeydew also builds up and promotes the growth for sooty mold (fungi), which can cover the plant, forest understories, patio furniture, cars, and anything else found below SLF feeding.”

To read more from the Penn State Extension, visit here. Or watch a short video about SLF from Penn State Extension. Penn State continues to do SLF research and released an article evaluating the risks spotted lanternfly may pose to a variety of agriculture crops. Read more Citizen Science, Helping to SPOT Invasive Species

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Cranberry Harvest at Deer River

You may not think of cranberries as a North Country crop, but we have one commercial bog producing over 80 acres of this autumn fruit.  Deer River Cranberries was established in Brasher Falls over 20 years ago and the Local Foods team at Extension caught up with the managers to learn about and photograph the entire harvest.

So how do cranberries get from the bog to your table?

Each ‘bog’ is like a garden bed that’s sunk a foot or two deep and is 5 acres in size. With 15 bogs currently in production, Deer River produces 1 million pounds of berries in an average year (though this year’s crop was earlier and smaller than usual due to cranberry tipworm).

The harvest starts with water being released into the bed, flooding the plants with enough water to just cover the vine tips. Water is reused between bogs, by opening and closing the flumes connecting each bed.

Read more Cranberry Harvest at Deer River

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GardenShare’s First Ever Restaurant Week

Dine-in, Take Out, Restaurant Week in St. Lawrence County.

Join us in making GardenShare’s first-ever restaurant week, a success. During the week of October 16th to 23rd visit area eateries. In doing so you will support GardenShare’s food access and local food programs and support restaurants around our region. We sat down with Celine Carriere, Management Consultant at GardenShare to learn more about what the week entails! 

List of Participating Restaurants and Stores: 

Big Spoon Kitchen, Potsdam, Cascade, Canton, Flying Lotus Yoga Center & Juice Bar, Canton, Foster the Plant Cafe, Potsdam, Jake’s On The Water, Hannawa Falls, Jernabi Coffeehouse, Potsdam, Josie’s Little Pizzeria, Canton, Nature’s Storehouse, Canton, Potsdam Food Co-op, Potsdam, The Blue House, Madrid, The Red Pine Cone, South Colton, and the Village Diner, Potsdam

Q: What can I get at participating restaurants during the week that I can’t get at other times? 

Celine: Many of the participating restaurants are already using local ingredients but they will be highlighting that on their menus. I am also excited to say Jake’s on the Water is developing a specific local foods menu for restaurant week. This week provides an opportunity to celebrate local foods and our area restaurants and participating businesses. We are looking forward to having our community celebrate the local food opportunities that exist and getting supporters to join in and eat some delicious foods. 

Restaurant week is an opportunity to support GardenShare, and its local food and access programs. Restaurants and stores participating in the week have made a contribution to GardenShare affirming their support in our programming. Diners can support not only by dining at participating establishments but also by donating funds when they pay for their local meals. 

Local tomatoes at Foster the Plant Cafe in Potsdam

Q: Who is participating? Just restaurants?  Read more GardenShare’s First Ever Restaurant Week