In case you missed these recent posts on CALS Notes:
Walter de Jong, associate professor of plant breeding and genetics, explains his research to NYS Assembly members (L-R) Russell, Roberts, Lifton & StirpeLegislators learn about sustainable ag on campus [CALS Notes 2013-09-18] – On Sept. 4, New York State Assembly members Barbara Lifton (D-125), Samuel Roberts (D-128), Al Stirpe (D-127) and Addie Russell (D-116) were welcomed to CALS for a special sustainable agriculture research tour. After taking in Stocking Hall highlights and meeting with Agricultural Sciences majors, the group traveled to Freeville, where experiments in organic farming systems, tomato and squash breeding, and the Cornell Small Farms Program were showcased at the Homer C. Thompson Vegetable Research Farm. At the East Ithaca Farm, home to the Department of Horticulture’s hoophouse/high tunnel research, the legislators were introduced to the profitable potential of growing crops under the protection of high tunnels, including raspberry harvests in November, easier control of late blight on tomatoes, and a blossoming cut-flower industry. And just to make sure they’d think about CALS research all the way home, everyone left with blackberries and bouquets for the road!
Toni Ditommaso. Photo by Simon Wheeler/Ithaca JournalSneezy season [CALS Notes 2013-09-20] – Have the seasonal achoos been getting to you? Ragweed is the likely culprit, according to weed expert Antonio DiTommaso, associate professor of crop and soil sciences and Richard C. Call Director of Agricultural Sciences. As he told the Democrat and Chronicle, ragweed pollen is circulating in the highest concentrations right now, and will do until the first frost. Here are some tips for coping with the pesky plant, courtesy of Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (www.aafa.org)
• Tip 1: Monitor ragweed pollen counts by visiting weather information websites, such aswww.weather.com, or www.nws.noaa.gov, and entering your zip code.
• Tip 2: Limit contact with ragweed pollen by showering before bedtime, drying clothes indoors, avoiding putting fans in windows, washing your hands often, not wearing outdoor work clothes in the house, limiting your time outdoors when ragweed counts are high.
• Tip 3: Seek treatment from an allergist. Allergists can prescribe medications to relieve symptoms and order injection therapy for persistent or severe cases.
