HomeArchive by Category "Webinar"

Conservation Easement Programs for Rural Landowners, Webinar, Dec 5

Join us on Thursday, December 5th from 7:00 to 8:00 pm to learn about conservation tools such as easements and potential funding opportunities available to rural landowners in New York. Land Conservation Specialist Kate Riley from the Finger Lakes Land Trust (www.fllt.org) will cover the options available to landowners to protect and preserve the legacy they have created for their land. Bring your questions. To join the free webinar, register ahead at: https://cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_N7wjZI90QTK5N7DTYBzMjQ Organized by the Southern Finger Lakes Chapter of the NY Forest Owners Association (www.nyfoa.org) and the Cornell Cooperative Extension SCNY Ag Team. Contact Brett Chedzoy at bjc226@cornell.edu with questions.

Brett Chedzoy
Sr. Resource Educator – Ag and Natural Resources
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County
South Central NY Agricultural Team
office: 607-535-7161 – cell: 607-742-3657
bjc226@cornell.edu
www.forestconnect.info

Best Practices on a Small Wooded Acreage. Webinar March 20

Best Practices on a Small Wooded Acreage.

Presented by Peter Smallidge

20 March 2024

Presentations at 12:00 to 1:00 PM and again at 7:00 to 8:00 PM (webinars may run long with questions)

Many woodland owners have parcels that are “small” compared to other owners. These parcels are endearing to the owners, and provide many opportunities for activities to ensure they remain healthy and support the owner’s interests. This presentation will cover several simple and basic actions that owners can take to be active in the woods and enjoy the land to its fullest extent. This presentation is intended for new owners, owners of small parcels, and resource professionals and educators who work with these owners.  A fact sheet related to this presentation is available at https://blogs.cornell.edu/cceforestconnect/files/2020/01/Managing-Small-Parcels.pdf

Instructions:

  1. Read all these instructions.
  2. You need to register for each monthly webinar.  There is unlimited space for participants, the ID simply provides you the necessary access.  Obtain your registration ID via:  https://cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5IRFqn7oSYm5D-Vyqb8-3Q    If prompted for a password use “Cornell”.
  3. The registration page prompts you for information if you want CEU credits. You must register and attend the webinar > 20 minutes if you want to receive documentation for CEU credits.
  4. After registration you will receive the link to the webinar and a password. Your registration is valid for either the noon or 7PM presentation.  It should go without saying that you should retain that email.
  5. The registration email you receive provides the link you will use the day of the webinar.

Dairy Farms: Thinking about converting from sand to separated solids bedding? April 3 workshop.

This meeting is intended for:

  • dairy farmers that currently bed with sand or
  • dairy farmers who might be interested in separating their manure for  solids bedding and/or cover+flare to destroy methane from their liquid manure storage; and
  • SWCD, CCE, NRCS, TSP, etc. agents interested in helping these farmers make management decisions for their farm.
  • Recordings of the Event, Found Here.
  • Farmer Funding Worksheet, pdf found here: Infrastructure_FundingOps_2024NY.

 

Jump to individual talks:

1:09 – Why a farm might transition away from sand bedding. Jenifer Wightman, Senior Extension Associate, School of Integrative Plant Science Soil and Crop Sciences Section, Cornell University

25:38 – Separators and farm infrastructure for solids + liquids. Ken Van Syke, Farmer/Pikeside Ag Machinery

1:13:46 – Cow Health (sand vs. solid bedding). Lindsay Ferlito, CCE North Country Regional Ag Team Farm Panel (sand vs solids bedding)

1:55:40 – Jon Patterson, Patterson Farm (Auburn, NY)

2:05:19 – Stein Farms, Dale Stein (LeRoy, NY) & NYS Soil & Water Conservation Committee

2:13:33 – Doug Shelmidine, Sheland Farms (Adams, NY)

2:44:43 – P-Index 2.0 & Comparing sand vs. solids bedding. Kirsten Workman, Pro-Dairy Funding Panel

3:30:40 – Mike Durant, Lewis County Soil & Water

3:49:20 – Thomas Pratt, USDA-NRCS

Final conversations redacted for sound quality.

This event is hosted by SWCD Jefferson and Lewis Counties in collaboration with Cornell University and Cooperative Extension.

Agenda:

We will post recordings here, if they are of sufficient quality and have speaker approval,  ~7 days after the event.

 

Webinar Series: Connecting Climate & Communities- 4th Wed of the month – free

This free webinar series features 17 outreach perspectives for engaging different communities in addressing climate.

The goal is to share resources, stories, methods, and tools from across the U.S. for re-use locally.

Our primary audience is extension educators but this webinar series is applicable to all citizens.

Join Us!

 

Connecting Climate to Communities

Webinar Schedule, YouTube Channel for recordings

TOPICS (scroll down for more details)

February 28: YOUTH & Climate, Recording Here.

March 27: STORYTELLING & Climate, Recording Here.

April 24: DIY–Self-Guided Climate Instruction, Recording Here.

May 22: COMMUNITIES & Climate, Recordings Here: PA Women Forest Owners, WA Latine Co-created Materials

June 26: AGING & Climate, Register Here.

WHEN:

4th Wednesday of the month

3pm EST

Free

Register below

Most events will be recorded and shared publicly here, after the event recording has been processed.

Feb 28, 3pm EST: YOUTH & Climate, Recording Here.

This hour long webinar will explore two existing programs focused on educating youth and educators of youth on climate change. It will be followed by a discussion to explore opportunities for collaborative learning and the potential for building upon each other’s efforts to amplify impact.

WORKING WITH YOUTH
TITLE: Engaging Educators and Participants in Youth Climate Education
PRESENTER: Jack Wright (Cornell Cooperative Extension)

Learn how Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County uses an energy efficient tiny home, nicknamed the “PowerHouse,” to teach youth about energy use and climate change. We’ll explore the successes and challenges of our mobile, enrichment-style programming at schools and libraries.

WORKING WITH YOUTH EDUCATORS
TITLE: Networking with Educators Around Locally-Relevant Climate Information
PRESENTER: Rebecca Ward (NC State University)

This talk will describe the NC Climate Education Network, a virtual network designed to bring together education experts and subject matter experts around teaching climate change in North Carolina. The Network focuses on holding semi-regular virtual panel discussions and Q&A’s on locally-relevant topics to creatively explore novel approaches to teaching climate change.

OPEN INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION
Let’s chat on how to connect with youth in your community!

SPEAKER BIOS

Jack Wright (he/him) is the PowerHouse Educator at Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County in Ithaca, NY. Since graduating with his BA in Environmental Science and Public Policy, Jack spent four years working as a nature- and farm-based youth educator in MA and NY. In his current role, Jack uses the PowerHouse, an energy-efficient tiny home, to lead youth education programs on energy and climate change in schools, libraries, and camps.

Rebecca Ward (she/her) is a Postdoctoral Research Scholar at NC State University with backgrounds in climate extension and science education. Her work centers around supporting local communities in North Carolina with building climate resilience through networking, education, and capacity-building.

 

March 27, 3pm EST: STORYTELLING & Climate, Register HERE.

This hour long webinar will discuss connecting climate change information to communities through storytelling and interdisciplinary approaches.

TITLE: How to Build Data Literacy Skills in your Climate Change Program
PRESENTER: Janice McDonnell (Rutgers)

Data literacy has become an in-demand skill for our future workforce to navigate tough decision making as we adapt to the climate crisis. As New Jersey the first state to adopt climate literacy standards, what are our obligations of Cooperative Extension to support learning about climate change? What partnerships are needed to support climate adaptation and resilience? In this workshop, Janice McDonnell will share experiences developing Data to the Rescue, Penguins Need our Help, an out-of-school time program to teach data skills and climate change solutions. She will share lessons learned about how to integrate data literacy skills and climate science solutions discussions in learning environments including tips for including social emotional learning practices.

TITLE: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Discussing Climate Change
PRESENTER: James Shope (Rutgers)

Connecting stakeholders and students to climate change information can be difficult and often climate data may feel abstract to the audience. What are some methods to make climate change information more relevant and connected to our local communities? In this presentation, James Shope will present activities developed for k-12 educator training that contextualizes climate information from different perspectives such as art and environmental justice to help connect students and communities locally relevant issues and solutions for climate resilience.

Story Map example: redlining and the urban heat island: https://gwmke.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=94113f89b61b4b638db54b5aa2b76706

Data Visualization & Mapping Tool example: putting climate data into a more local context: https://njclimateresourcecenter.rutgers.edu/nj-adapt/

TITLE: Climate Change STEM Education for Tribal Youth
PRESENTER: Art Nash

As a part of an NSF grant to reach underserved audiences with climate change education. One of the climate change teaching venues is a public tribal charter school setting. Speaking with Athabascan Indian Elders about what is important for tribal youth to know about climate change, as well as utilizing a national Cooperative Extension curriculum on the topic, classes are guided which cover various science dynamics that are tied to worldwide and regional climate variation. This webinar will describe the teaching process used thus far.

*Note. This talk by Art Nash will not be recorded.

SPEAKER BIOS

Dr. James Shope is an assistant extension specialist in climate services with the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and the Department of Environmental Sciences at Rutgers University. His work addresses a wide range of climate change impacts and adaptation strategies in New Jersey. In particular, he is interested in how agricultural production, municipal planning, and public health will respond to a warming climate, heavier rainfall, and more frequent flooding. James frequently engages in outreach efforts across New Jersey, including leading resiliency tool trainings, co-authoring public-facing reports, providing climate science resources for k-12 educators, and sharing actionable scientific resources for community planners.

Janice McDonnell is the STEM Agent in the Department of 4-H Youth Development at Rutgers University where she focuses on developing and implementing high quality STEM programs and resources for young people.  She focuses on facilitating hands-on projects where youth receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to build their data literacy by taking on proactive leadership roles in environmental decision making.

Art Nash began working with tribal youth of several reservations nearly 40 years ago and since has taught students as youth group leader, middle school teacher, Title I (remedial math and reading) teacher, interim principal, social (services) worker, and as associate energy professor. Incorporating local, native knowledge with academic data driven info, Art engages youth discovery thru the environmental and social sciences so that they can critically assess/adapt to the world around them and the rapid changes it is going through.

 

April 24, 3pm EST: DIY–Self-Guided Climate Instruction, Register HERE.

This is an hour long boot camp tailored for extension! Come learn how to use a suite of climate resources designed for DIY-learners and publicly available on https://www.ecoactus.org/neci 

EcoActUs is a joint venture between the Climate Reality Project and the Harvard Alumni for Climate and Environment. EcoActUs has been adopted by NECI as a resource for Extension Professionals and Educators who want to understand the latest on climate change, sustainability practices and guidance for incorporating climate education into your daily interactions. It contains extensive and highly curated video presentations and other media resources and is free to use for non-commercial use. EcoActUs can be approached as a self-guided learning and reference tool or you can participate in a two week Climate Boot Camp which incorporates three virtual sessions to help guide you through the resource and network with other users who may be trying to do the same things you are. Help is available if you would like to take a group through the Boot Camp for your organization. Information and registration for the self-guided sessions are found at https://www.ecoactus.org/neci

TITLE: Self-Guided Climate Boot Camp for Extension Professionals

CO-PRESENTERS: 6 different presenters will carry you through their comprehensive DIY educational programming so you can delve in deeper – or help others navigate its resources.

Michael Linn (Co-Director of EcoActUs) is a climate refugee, inventor and entrepreneur with a broad background in energy, software technology, finance and organizational process.  He helped build and sell a company to Microsoft, design the Department of Energy information systems and win the 2014 ASHRAE Global First Place Tech Award for Ed buildings.  He grew up in a farming community and is currently helping to create a training farm for Inua, Partners in Hope.

Mark Dambro, a Climate Reality Leader, trained in 2020. I’m a retired engineer and physician with a special interest in the health effects of climate change and on the existential question of whether or not humanity can survive this unprecedented crisis. I completed my MD degree at Washington University in St. Louis and practiced family medicine after residency and fellowship.  I’m a guest lecturer at TCU (Texas Christian University) in my home town of Fort Worth, TX.

Dr. Dayo Ajayi-Obe, a consulting pediatrician and epidemiologist, trained as a Climate Reality Leader in 2021. Dr. Ajayi-Obe completed her medical training in Nigeria and holds a Master of Science in Epidemiology from the TH Chan Harvard School of Public Health.  She supports educational institutions in Nigeria and around the globe. Her mission is to help individuals, groups, businesses and organizations, unravel the hidden treasures of forging forward into the regenerative era of climate sustainability. And to investigate the links between climate change and epidemics.

Scott Graham, a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corps, currently the owner of Graham Leadership Growth which provides Leadership Coaching empowering people to realize their professional goals. Scott served with the American Red Cross as the Division Disaster Executive coordinating the responses to numerous disasters including hurricanes Harvey, Matthew, and Florence along with wildfires in Northern California and Oregon. Scott is a graduate of the University of Kansas and holds Executive Leadership Coaching Certificates from Georgetown University and University of Georgia.

Rick Schumann, who comes to us from NECI (National Extension Climate Initiative) which serves to link climate change-related education and research across Extension program areas and associations. Rick is a trained Climate Reality Leader (2020) and a Master Gardener with the University of Florida IFAS Extension. He has a degree in Geological Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines. He is retired from a career in Seismic and Meteorological Applied Research, as well as, Systems Engineering in Radar, Telemetry and Weather systems.

Wendy Hamilton held numerous Extension positions in OR, PA, MT, and NM throughout her 34 yr. career. She retired in 2020 as an Extension Evaluation Specialist from New Mexico State University. She now holds the position of Emerita Professor dedicating her retirement to climate education and mentoring young career professionals.

May 22, 3pm EST: COMMUNITIES & Climate, Register HERE.

This hour long webinar will share lessons learned from co-creating materials made with different communities.

TITLE: Co-creating Opportunities for Women to Engage in Climate-smart Forestry
PRESENTER: Melissa M. Kreye (Pennsylvania State University)

Melissa will present findings from her peer education program for women landowners interested in climate-smart forestry. The program is part of the Forest Owner Carbon and Climate Education Program, a collaboration between 13 extension institutions in the eastern US.  More here: https://sites.psu.edu/focce/

TITLE: Creating a culturally inclusive climate change curriculum with and for Indigenous people: Lessons learned
PRESENTER: Ros McCann (Utah State University – Moab)

As part of a national science foundation project inspired by the NECI network, Ros will share her experience in building relationships with tribal members in the Colorado Plateau region. This will include an overview of how she formed a diverse team to co-create a climate change curriculum by and for Indigenous participants, what the curriculum entailed and the products that resulted from this process. Coverage here: https://www.usu.edu/today/story/usu-helps-host-unique-and-indigenous-student-specific-natural-resource-leadership-program

TITLE: Climate Change and the Latine Community: Co-creating Curricula and Programs
PRESENTER: Patricia Townsend (Washington State University)

This presentation will include recommendations for how to co-create education programs with diverse communities. There will be examples from Patricia’s work adapting the UC Climate Steward curriculum with and for the Latine community in Washington State.

SPEAKER BIOS

Melissa M. Kreye is an Assistant Professor of Forest Resources Management and Extension Specialist in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management at Pennsylvania State University. Her extension programs include the Forest Owner Carbon and Climate Education program and Effective Environmental Outreach Strategies. Recent research projects examine landowner interest in climate-smart forestry and prescribed fire as a forest management tool.

Roslynn Brain McCann is a Professor & Sustainable Communities Extension Specialist in the Department of Environment and Society, College of Natural Resources at Utah State University. She teaches undergraduates Communicating Sustainability, helps lead the National Extension Climate Initiative, is the coordinator USU Extension Sustainability’s Utah Farm-Chef-Fork, the USU Permaculture Initiative, and Sustainable You! kids’ camps, co-leads the Utah High School Clean Air Marketing Contest, and is engaged in tribal climate change resilience.

Dr. Patricia Townsend is an Associate Professor at Washington State University who works with stakeholders throughout the Pacific Northwest on sustainability, climate change, sustainable materials, and ecosystem services. Much of her work is determining how to best implement applied research. Having done her dissertation research in Costa Rica, she has a long interest in collaborating with the Latine community. She is the PI of the NSF funded climate education program C3PO.

June 26, 3pm EST: AGING & Climate, Register HERE.

Older people are the most vulnerable to some climate change effects, and are also an enormous resource for climate change action. This hour long session will explore both the role of adaptive strategies to protect vulnerable older individuals, as well as opportunities for productive engagement of older people in civic engagement and volunteerism around climate change.

TITLE: Older People and Climate Change: An Urgent Issue for Research, Policy, and Practice

PRESENTER: Karl Pillemer (Cornell University)

Karl will provide information regarding both the heightened vulnerability of older people to climate change effects, as well as the role of older individuals in preventing and adapting to climate change.

TITLE: Climate Resilience for an Aging Nation
PRESENTER: Danielle Arigoni

Danielle will discuss why climate resilience planners and community-led efforts should center their work in the needs of older adults, given the disproportionate impact they bear in the face of climate change.

TITLE: Mobilizing Older Adults for Climate Change Action

PRESENTER: Leslie Wharton

Leslie will discuss how older people are engaging in climate change activism and the impacts they are having through organizations like Elders Climate Action.

SPEAKER BIOS

Karl Pillemer is the Hazel E. Reed Professor of Human Development at Cornell University, and Professor of Gerontology in Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine. A sociologist and gerontologist, his work has focused on the social integration of older people, including promoting meaningful roles and activities after retirement. He created the program Retirees in Service to the Environment, which creates a pathway for older people to engage in climate change and environmental volunteerism and civic engagement. He recently created the Aging and Climate Change Clearinghouse, which serves as a  knowledge hub for older people, organizations, and researchers on the intersection of climate change and the older population (https://climateaging.bctr.cornell.edu/).

Danielle Arigoni is an urban planner and community resilience expert.  She currently serves as Managing Director for Policy and Solutions at National Housing Trust, where she provides strategic direction for the organization’s sustainability and resilience policy efforts, and oversight and guidance for NHT’s state and local advisory services. She is also author of Climate Resilience for an Aging Nation which explores the impacts of climate change on a rapidly growing demographic – people over 65 – and the need for community-scale solutions to reduce risk for all. Prior to joining NHT in 2022, Danielle served as Director of Livable Communities at AARP and held several leadership positions at HUD, EPA and USAID working to advance sustainable and equitable communities.  She holds planning degrees from Cornell University and University of Oregon, and serves as a Board Member for the League of American Bicyclists and Smart Growth America.

Leslie Wharton is Chair of the Elders Climate Action (ECA), which is a grassroots organization in the United States whose mission is to mobilize elders to address climate change. She herself first learned about climate change when she was 56 years old. A few years later, shocked by the lack of progress in the U.S. and elsewhere, she searched for ways that she could get involved. She first became involved with ECA in 2015 when she participated in its Grandparents Climate Action Day in Washington, DC. After that experience, she became a member of ECA, started serving on its national committees, started a local chapter, and then she became Chair. Leslie Wharton received a Ph.D. in History from Princeton University, and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. She spent 25 years as a litigator in private practice and then 12 years in the General Counsel’s office of a federal agency before retiring in 2021.

 

HOST: this “CONNECTING CLIMATE to COMMUNITIES” webinar series is hosted by National Extension Climate Initiative (NECI) Curriculum Development (CD) Committee – a volunteer group looking to share resources amongst interested extension educators.

This program was curated by NECI CD Active Members Fall 2023

David Kay, Cornell University

Paul Lachapelle, Montana State University

Karl Pillemer, Cornell University

James Shope, Rutgers University

Patricia Townsend, Washington State University

Rebecca Ward, NC State University

Jenifer Wightman, Cornell University

Jack Wright, Cornell University Cooperative Extension

Join us or any NECI working group -learn more here: https://nationalextensionclimateinitiative.net/workinggroups/

***NECI is actively seeking a Communications Lead, please contact David Kay if you are interested.

Feb 7 – Learn to estimate NET GHG from field practices (Fast GHG Tool) Recording

Free demonstration webinar on Feb 7, hosted by American Farmland Trust.

Peter Woodbury will present the Fertilizer And Soil Tool designed to help quantify Greenhouse Gas emissions (FAST-GHG Tool) in crop production.

Recording Here : <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXAibyi5EsU>

In his webinar, Peter will demonstrate how to use the tool to estimate the GHG benefits of conservation practices for commodity crops. Specifically, he will:

  1. Explain the purpose and scope of the free, online FAST-GHG tool.
  2. Discuss how the tool can be used to estimate GHG benefits from improved fertilizer management, cover crops, and reduced tillage for corn, wheat, and soybean in the conterminous US.
  3. Explain how the tool was developed to be easy to use at the farm scale and also for supply chains of major corporations.
  4. Demonstrate examples of how to use the tool and how to interpret the results for implementing specific practices in specific locations.
  5. Explain how project managers can use the tool to evaluate and report on project-level outcomes associated with adoption of conservation practices by multiple farmers in a project.

Or simply play around with the online calculator, here: https://d-woolf.shinyapps.io/FAST-GHG/

Here is a screenshot example from NY (+/- cover crops)

 

2023 CCE Climate Symposium, schedule and resources.

On November 9, 2023, we celebrated just some of the Great Work Happening Across our State with respect to Building a Bright Resilient Future for NYS.

 

Click below for particular talks!

0:08 Welcome – Jenna Walczak and TeJay Chess

  • 5:35 Introduction – Jenifer Wightman
  • 24:41 Keynote – Julie Suarez
  • 52:23 Dean’s Welcome – Benjamin Houlton, Ronald P. Lynch Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

 

57:37 Lightning talks: Responding to the Impacts of Climate Change in New York State – TeJay Chess

  • 1:01:39 Data Tools for Monitoring and Adapting to Climate Change – Art Degatano
  • 1:02:48 Insights from the 2023 NYS Climate Impacts Assessment: Agriculture Chapter – Deborah Aller
  • 1:04:00 The Cornell Cooperative Extension Climate Resilience Partnership – Carolyn Klocker
  • 1:05:18 National 4-H Climate Change Survey of Teens – Andy Turner
  • 1:06:24 Using Healing-Informed Social Imaginaries as Frameworks for Change – Julika von Stackelberg
  • 1:07:28 Using the power of food to make climate change relevant to everyone – Michael Hoffmann
  • 1:08:34 Managing climate risk and vulnerability in manufactured housing communities – Danielle Eiseman
  • 1:09:45 The Cornell Climate Stewards Program – Allison Chatrchyan
  • 1:10:57 The Role of Power Systems in Climate Mitigation – Lindsay Anderson
  • 1:12:07 Discussion instructions

 

1:13:18 Lightning Talks: Forests and Farms A Kitty O’Neil

  • 1:18:27 The intersection of CCE programming efforts on community tree stewardship, food security and community climate action goals – Sharon Bachman
  • 1:19:34 Climate and Applied Forest Research Institute: Insights on Landowner Forest Management Richard Stedman
  • 1:21:00 Agroforestry NY: realizing multiple benefits through integrating practices – Gabriel Smith
  • 1:22:00 Urban Growing in WNY: A comparison of Erie and Monroe Counties – Mallory Hohl
  • 1:22:50 DEI in Ag and Climate: Why is it important? – Graham Savio
  • 1:24:02 Reforestation can help New York State meet its climate goals – Peter Woodbury
  • 1:25:11 Payment for Ecosystem Service (PES) Programs: An Incentive Based Approach – Jenna DeRario
  • 1:26:14 Discussion instructions

1:26:34 Lightning Talks: Forests and Farms B Kitty O’Neil

  • 1:26:50 Insurance is one option for losses you can’t control – Elizabeth Higgins
  • 1:28:06 Weed Management in a Changing Climate – Caroline Marschner
  • 1:29:09 Sustainable Materials Management: Using food scraps to build community resiliency – Khila Pecoraro
  • 1:30:16 Small Farms on the Front Line of Climate Change Impact – Kacey Deamer
  • 1:31:20 Enteric methane mitigation from livestock: Barriers and path to accelerate solutions – Joseph McFadden
  • 1:32:25 Unanticipated Consequences: How the Effects of Climate Change Makes Raising Chickens Hard – Amy Barkley
  • 1:33:24 Cooperative Opportunities: Grazing Sheep Beneath Solar Arrays – Bobbie Severson
  • 1:34:40 Discussion instructions

 

1:36:07 Lightning Talks: Energy and Community David Kay

  • 1:39:35 PowerHouse: Bringing climate education to youth – Jack Wright
  • 1:40:32 What kind of mobilization is necessary to meet the climate crisis? How can we create a groundswell? – Anne Rhodes
  • 1:41:40 Collaborating Across Programs to Reduce Household Waste & Hazards – Jackie Spencer and Toni Gardner
  • 1:43:37 What is Ag Energy NY? – Gabriel Gurley
  • 1:44:52 Regional Clean Energy Hubs: Engaging Disadvantaged Communities Around Clean Energy – Karím Beers

 

1:46:38 Closing remarks – Jenny Kao-Kniffin, Interim Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension

 

Our TO DO List!  Which piece of the pie will you bite?

NYS SCOPING PLAN, Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector.

NRCS ops for landowners to address GHG! informational webinar Oct 25!

Join USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service for a webinar on Wednesday, October 25 at 2 p.m. ET. The webinar will cover the newly expanded list of Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Mitigation Activities (LOOK AT THIS LIST – it’s so diverse!) available for Inflation Reduction Act funding through conservation programs offered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). It’ll also cover available Inflation Reduction Act and Farm Bill assistance, as well as efforts to streamline and improve programs, for fiscal year 2024. The webinar is recommended for NRCS partners and agricultural producers, and media are invited to attend.

Attendees may submit questions before the webinar during registration.

To register and join, go to: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_RcfpW9I9S-eik_NwSkuauQ

If you are landowner, be sure to contact NRCS by November 3, 2023 to get into the 2024 pool

Equity and Climate Resilient Communities Fall Webinar series hosted by EPA

Learning Series: Building Water Equity and Climate Resilient Communities for ALL

The Urban Waters Learning Network is hosting a webinar series to highlight a variety of strategies that community-based organizations can use to help their communities anticipate, prepare for, and respond to climate risks such as flooding, coastal storms and drought, with a focus on protecting community members who are most vulnerable to climate threats.

At the end of this learning series, participants will:

  • Understand the historical context of climate inequities and be able to initiate local conversations to help residents and stakeholders understand the relationship between historic land use/housing policies and predicted impacts of climate change, in particular with regards to water.
  • Understand and describe how climate change impacts are felt through water: riverine, urban and coastal flooding, drought and water scarcity, water pollution and more, and how restoration initiatives improve community resilience.
  • Identify key practices of community-driven climate resilience and gain tools for organizing community members and communicating local priorities to decision-makers more effectively.

To learn more about each session, visit: https://urbanwaterslearningnetwork.org/learning-series-building-water-equity-and-climate-resilient-communities-for-all/.

Resilience Hubs as Community Superheroes of Climate Preparedness and Disaster Recovery

Investing in Local Leadership to Advocate for Equitable Climate Resilience

Centering Those at Risk: The Power of Community-Led Research for Climate Resilience Investments

Equitable Resilience Planning Frameworks

Building Climate Resilience: Transforming Communities through Green Workforce Development

Building Climate Resilience: The Link Between Historic Policies and Today’s Risk

  • July 19, 2023
  • Watch the recording here.

REGISTER for Spring 2022 Webinar Series: reducing GHG using ag & forestry systems

Join us, Tuesday’s, from 9-11 am and learn about ways that farms, forests, and citizens can reduce Greenhouse Gases (GHG).

January 25: Livestock Rumen & GHG

February 8: Manure Management & GHG

March 8: Field Nitrogen & GHG

April 12: Land Use & GHG (scroll down for details)

May 10: Food Waste & GHG

More detail for each webinar, below.

 

January 25: Learn about methane emissions from livestock (enteric fermentation, rumen, methane, comparison of emissions between stall vs grazing livestock). Register here.

9am: The Magical Mystical Rumen and Dairy Cattle Sustainability presented by Dr. Larry Chase (Cornell)

Dairy cows are a biological factory that can convert a wide variety of forages and feeds into milk which is a high-quality food for humans. The key to this ability is the function of the rumen microorganisms. Many of the feeds used by the dairy cow are co-products of food processing and are not directly consumable by humans. The progress that dairy industry has made in lowering its impact on the environment and improving sustainability will be highlighted.

10am: Comparison of Confinement Vs Grazing Dairy Systems: Effect on production performance, nutrient use efficiency, and enteric methane emissions in dairy cows presented by Dr. Andre Brito (UNH)

Grazing systems perform multiple ecosystem services including food production, climate regulation, nutrient cycling, and erosion control. Consumers often associate grazing with “healthier and happy cows” and are willing to pay premiums for “grass-fed” dairy products. However, milk production and nutrient utilization generally decrease in pasture-based systems relative to confinement systems, which may reduce farm profitability depending on milk prices. It should be noted that there is limited research reporting both milk nitrogen (N) efficiency and methane emissions in confined versus grazing dairy cows. Therefore, our overarching objective was to build data sets to compare nutrient utilization in dairy cows under confinement or grazing management where milk N efficiency or methane emissions or both were reported in the same studies. Dietary strategies to mitigate methane emissions in grazing dairy systems will be also explored.

 

February 8: Panel discussion on steps, technical assistance, and financial support to install a Manure Cover + Flare Systems to destroy methane from liquid manure storage. Register, here.

PANEL

Dale Stein – Chair New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee, Semi-Retired Dairy Farmer, Stein Farms LeRoy NY that operates a cover+flare system

Abstract: We milk 1000 cows and have 1 covered manure storage, built in 2012, with a flare. A satellite storage is being covered this April also with a flare. The largest benefit to our farm from the cover is that no precipitation gets in the manure; instead the rainwater is pumped off the covered lagoon and goes to a separate storage that we use to irrigate growing crops with a center pivot. This keeps over 1.2 million gallons of water out of the manure, while making the storage have 1/3 greater capacity by having no precipitation in it. The resulting manure has a higher nutrient content due to no dilution taking place. We are trying to find a way to use the gas produced besides just burning it off. There is over 5 million cubic feet of gas produced per year.
Bio: Dale Stein is a senior partner in Stein Farms LeRoy with 1800 head dairy cattle and 2500 acres farmed for cow feed. He is a life-long conservationist helping the environment, from planting over 10,000 trees to building and improving wildlife habitat on his farm.
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Jennifer Clifford – CRF Program Manager with NYS Soil and Water Conservation Committee and NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets – will release the new round of funding for Climate Resilient Farming in NYS (including cover+flare systems)

Abstract: The Climate Resilient Farming (CRF) Program works with farms to reduce GHG emissions and build resiliency. An integral part of the CRF program is providing cost-share support for cover and flare systems to reduce methane emissions on-farm. Information about CRF Round 6 can be found here – https://agriculture.ny.gov/soil-and-water/rfp-0243-climate-resilient-farming-round-6
Bio: Jennifer’s been with the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets and the NYS Soil and Water Conservation Committee for 10 years. Jennifer aided in facilitation of the Agriculture & Forestry Advisory Panel for the Climate Advisory Council, participates in the NYS Interagency Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Work Group, and sits on the US Climate Alliance Natural Working Lands and Short-Lived Pollutants working groups. Prior to working with the Department, she worked on natural resource conservation and water conservation issues with the Conservation District of Southern Nevada.
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Jessica Skinner – JESS Engineering, PLLC – will discuss her firm’s design experience with Cover+Flare systems in NYS.

Abstract: This presentation will discuss the design and installation of covers and flares in New York State since 2007, including helping farms to secure funding, create design packages, and monitor installation. Each farm has unique needs and challenges when considering a cover and flare.
Bio:  Jessica has been working as an agricultural engineer in New York State for almost 25 years, the last 17 years she has owned and operated JESS Engineering PLLC.  The firm concentrates in the agricultural field, working to assist farms in both environmental compliance and facility planning.  A large portion of her projects include manure storage, separation, and transfer system design.
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Ken Van Slyke – PikeSide Ag Machinery, LLC – will discuss mechanical separation of manure liquids/solid resources for different uses.

Abstract: This presentation will cover different kinds of mechanical separation methods to maximize the value from manure (materials and nutrients). Ken has experience with covered lagoons from working with manure systems on farms around NY state, as well as a covered lagoon that was installed on his own farm in 2011. He is familiar with the installation, operation, and general challenges with lagoon covers on dairy farms.
Bio: Ken Van Slyke is a lifelong dariy farmer turned manure systems dealer, with 20 years of experience with manure processing on farms. Located in Western New York, PikeSide Ag Machinery was started after he saw a need for solutions to the challenges that Northeastern dairy farms face in maximizing value from manure. Ken lives in Pike, NY with his wife, Tonya, and two sons, Kyle and Kolby.
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Jason Taylor – Vice President of Operations at Environmental Fabrics, Inc., will discuss his firm’s installation experience with many Cover+Flare systems in NYS.

Abstract: Environmental Fabrics specializes in all membranes. “Cover+Flare” for liquid manure storage typically involve HDPE (high density Polyethylene). We have installed over 500 (US and abroad, >125 in California alone) cover projects not all require a flare. I would estimate we have supplied 75-100 flares. Our first cover was installed in 1995. These materials if installed and maintained properly will last more than 25-30 years. The manufacture will offer a 20-year prorated material warranty for a small fee.
Bio: Jason has been in the liner/cover installation business for 28 years. He started in the field as a technician and then supervisor, moved into the office 12 years ago as an estimator and project manager. He now is involved with all aspects of Operations with high focus on Field Installation and Shop Fabrication.

Al Fagan – District Manager at Wyoming County Soil & Water Conservation District – will discuss how SWCDs can help a farm evaluate the suitability of Cover+Flare system.

Abstract: While conducting Agricultural Environmental Management planning with farms, the Wyoming County SWCD discusses Cover & Flare systems with farms to gauge their interest. District staff discusses how the systems work, as well as associated practices and management that are vital to the success of the systems. Planning for these systems takes place throughout the calendar year to prepare for when RFPs are released.
Bio: Al Fagan was born and raised in Wyoming County, NY. From a young age, Al has always had a passion for the outdoors, and knew he wanted to pursue a career revolving around the outdoors. Al was fortunate enough to gain a position at WCSWCD 10 years ago, and enjoys assisting the agricultural community, municipalities, and private landowners achieve their conservation goals. https://www.wcswcd.org/

 

March 8: Managing Field Nitrogen & GHG – learn how farms can help reduce nitrous oxide  (N2O) emissions  in cropping systems– with a focus on managing organic (manure, legumes etc) sources of nitrogen. Register here.

9-10am
Organic Nitrogen Management for Greenhouse Gas Reduction in Agroecosystems: Between a Gentle Seesaw and a Catapult presented by Dr. Armen Kemanian (Professor, Production Systems and Modeling, Department of Plant Sciences at Penn State University)

Animal manure is often applied in cropland around CAFOs. Both manure and cover crops are often used as fertility inputs in organic agriculture. These organic amendments are often considered slow-release fertilizers for N (when low in ammonium) when compared with synthetic fertilizers, because organic N needs to be mineralized by soil microbes for that N to become available to plants. Ideally, when N mineralization and crop N uptake are well balanced, mineral N does not accumulate in the soil. One can visualize the process as a conceptual seesaw that goes down on one end due to N mineralization that adds mineral N, but that is gently returned to the horizontal position through N uptake that removes the mineralized N.

However, it is challenging to manage annual crop production on such bucolic rhythm. And when considering nitrous oxide (N2O), a powerful greenhouse gas, the gentle seesaw may well be a catapult. Why? Mainly for two reasons. First, easily decomposable residues can trigger high microbial activity that consumes oxygen (O2) and creates hypoxic pockets (or layers) in the soil while organic N is being mineralized. Second, the composition of the organic amendments is hard to control, in part because the composition of cover crops varies and in part because the composition of manure varies. A rational response by farm operators is to overshoot the application rate to avoid N shortages. These two conditions have the potential to favor large N2O emissions in bursts resembling catapult releases, because without fast mineral N uptake (or even with it) N mineralization is not lowering a seesaw but tensing and loading the denitrification catapult.

In this seminar, Dr. Armen Kemanian (Professor, Production Systems and Modeling, Department of Plant Sciences at Penn State University) presents field data obtained in Central Pennsylvania and in Sardinia, Italy, that indicates that large N2O emissions do happen in cover cropped and manured soils, particularly with inversion tillage that buries and packs manure or cover crops residues in a thin soil layer. This research suggests that controlling the rate and timing of organic input additions, as well as preventing the co-location of legume cover crops and manure, could mitigate N2O emissions.

 

10-11am
Documenting and Managing Field Nitrogen Use for Greenhouse Gas Reduction presented by Dr. Quirine Ketterings (Professor of Nutrient Management in Agricultural Ecosystems at Cornell University).

“Adaptive Management” is an iterative strategy where farmers identify opportunities for improvement in production and environmental footprints, evaluate a management change on their own farm, through on-farm research and/or annual performance assessments. Whole farm nutrient mass balance (NMB) assessments is such an annual performance tool at the whole farm level while field nutrient balances are evaluation approaches at the field or within-field scale. The adaptive management strategy for field crop management introduced in NY in 2013, affords farm autonomy and decision making for site-specific problem solving and tracks issues and successes. When farms share results of the on-farm evaluations, successful strategies can be expanded to more fields and farms. Combined, anonymized data from participating farms can help identify practices and policies that incentivize improvements over time. While these whole farm and field-level tools were developed for nitrogen and phosphorus management with focus on water quality impact, reduction of N use will also reduce nitrous oxide emissions – a potent greenhouse gas.

 

April 12: Land Use & GHG: learn how land use can impact Greenhouse Gases (consider what area is ‘idle’ and consider how a land owner might ‘activate’ that land: afforestation, bioenergy feedstocks, solar, new food production, etc), register here.

9:00-9:50 am
Using former agricultural land to help meet climate goals presented by Peter Woodbury & Jenifer Wightman, Cornell University

More than 1.7  million acres of former agricultural land in New York State could be available for many purposes, including increasing livestock grazing, installing solar panels, growing biomass for bioenergy, or planting trees. Planting trees is a critically important strategy to help meet New York’s ambitious climate goals, because it is a natural and proven way to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which will be required to achieve the State mandate of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by year 2050. We will discuss how much land is available, limitations of that land, the potential for greenhouse gas mitigation, and some other competing uses.

9:50-10:40 am
Solar and Agriculture, from Competition to Co-Location presented by Zachary Eldredge, Technology Manager, U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office

 According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Futures Study, solar energy could occupy as much as ten million acres nationwide by 2050 if we are to meet our climate goals. While there is sufficient land in the United States to realize this development, competition for prime land area (close to transmission, favorable climate, relatively flat) is likely to be expected and could pose an issue for realizing decarbonization goals. Various options to address this, including deploying solar on brownfields, mine lands, and water bodies. In this talk, I will describe work at DOE to advance the practice of agrivoltaics, the combined use of land for both solar and agriculture.

10:40-11am
Land use implications of more circular and sustainable food systems presented by Lori Leonard, Professor, Department of Global Development

A large proportion of the world’s arable land is used to produce food (crops or livestock) that is never eaten. By reducing food waste, it is possible to conserve forested land and reduce GHG emissions associated with agricultural production. Keeping excess food, including food scraps, in the human food chain is also vital to reducing the pressure on land from agriculture and reducing the food-feed competition. This means privileging some recycling strategies, namely diverting food waste for animal feed.

 

May 10: Food Waste & GHG: Learn how citizens can help farms and landfills reduce greenhouse gases –while saving money, land area, and natural resources– by reducing food waste. Register here.

9-10am
Food Waste: What we know and what we don’t presented by Dr. Zach Conrad (Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology, Global Research Institute at William & Mary)

Food waste is an issue for public health, the environment, and food affordability. This webinar describes the current state of science on these relationships, drawing from the most contemporary evidence from around the world but focusing on the United States. Specifically, this webinar describes the difference between food loss and waste, food waste reduction targets, health impacts, environmental impacts, economic impacts, which foods are wasted most, why we waste food, and ways to reduce food waste at the individual level and system level.

10-11am
Diverting Food Scraps from Landfills to reduce impacts of Methane presented by Marc Morgan (Solid Waste Manager, City of Lebanon, New Hampshire)

During this webinar, you will learn how a municipal solid waste facility is working to reduce waste disposal and have a positive impact on the environment.  This is being accomplished through a food scrap composting program.  The City of Lebanon’s Food Scrap Program is open to commercial accounts and as a drop off for residents.

 

 

This series is co-hosted with the USDA Northeast Climate Hub.

This series is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Smith Lever Project 2019-20-110.

REGISTER: Fall 2021 Webinar Series – Every 3rd Thursday! Learn how to reduce Greenhouse gases with Soils/Livestock/Forests!

Join us!

Learn how you can help reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) in agriculture and forestry!

For landowners, farmers, foresters, extension agents, and citizens

Every 3rd Thursday, 10am – noon.

Soils & GHG: October 21, webinar recordings found HERE.

Livestock & GHG: November 18, webinar recordings found HERE.

Forests & GHG: December 16, scroll to the bottom for details.

Missed one? Recordings will be catalogued HERE.

Structure of the Event

10-11am: The 1st hour is a conceptual overview of emissions & opportunities to reduce GHG from working lands.

11-noon: The 2nd hour will provide training, skills, incentives, or support for implementing a GHG reducing project!

Please register for the following webinars (free) and join at anytime in the 2-hour event.

SOILS & GHG: October 21 (in collaboration with the Soil Health Initiative) 10am-12pm. Recordings HERE.

10am: Introduction to agricultural Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission and mitigation potential – a New York case study applicable to the Northeast

–––Jenifer Wightman (Cornell University, Soil & Crop Sciences)

Agriculture is both a source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and a constructive landscape to reduce global emissions. Using New York State (NYS) as a case study, participants will learn about sources of emissions on farms, how the different sources of emissions add up, and targeted mechanisms to help reduce them.  Emphasis will be on net greenhouse gas accounting from a change in practice, which means adding together the changes in carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). The goal is to help land managers identify real and permanent GHG reduction strategies to ensure farmers in the future have a more stable climate.

11am: Examining net greenhouse gas impacts of soil health practices – using the FAST-GHG tool and key research results.

–––Peter Woodbury (Cornell University, Soil & Crop Sciences)

Soil health practices such as reduced tillage, cover crops, and nitrogen fertilizer management affect greenhouse gas emissions in many ways. This seminar will use the FAST-GHG tool, which allows a user to consider the different ways these practices and their interactions affect greenhouse gas emissions. Participants will come away with a better understanding of how crop and soil nitrogen cycling, crop yield, and equipment use affect the greenhouse gas impacts of different soil health practices (such as reduced tillage, cover crops, and nitrogen fertilizer management).

LIVESTOCK & GHG : November 18, 10am-12pm Register Here:

10am: The Role of Models in Farm Systems Management for GHG Mitigation

–––Kristan Foster Reed (Assistant Professor of Dairy Cattle Nutrition & Management, Cornell University)

Dairy farms are complex systems with the main sources of GHG emissions coming from enteric methane, manure management, and feed production. However, opportunities exist to mitigate emissions from each of these sources and due to the nature of the dairy farm system, a single management decision can mitigate multiple emission sources. Models are tools that help us understand the downstream impacts of management practices and quantify emissions and other environmental impacts. I will review some existing dairy farm system models and introduce the Ruminant Farm Systems model currently under development.

11am: Feed Management Implementation From a PA NRCS Perspective- Moving from Water Quality to GHG Mitigation

–––Dan Ludwig (State Resource Conservationist, USDA-NRCS Pennsylvania)

During this presentation, participants will learn about what comprises a feed management plan as well as the concepts on how a feed management plan allows producers to make improvements to water and air quality on their farm as well as it’s potential to improve income over feed costs. This presentation will share results of ration manipulation on select farms in Pennsylvania as well as the potential interaction of ration adjustments to mitigate GHGs. The presentation will also discussion financial assistant options through NRCS programs and how nutritionists can become qualified plan writers or Technical Service Providers (TSP).

FORESTS & GHG: December 16, 10am-12pm Register Here:

10am: Forest Management for Climate Change Mitigation in New York

–––Tim Fahey (Liberty Hyde Bailey Professor, Cornell University)

Land management offers the potential for climate change mitigation through sequestration of carbon, especially in the forest sector. This webinar will explain and evaluate key aspects of this potential with a focus on New York State. The webinar will cover such topics as: carbon stocks in trees and soils, silvicultural options in a changing climate, natural disturbances and risks, wood products and substitution for fossil fuels.

11am: New York State climate change legislation impact on forests and carbon sequestration statewide panel recommendations and current incentives for private landowners.

–––Bryan Ellis (Forest Climate Section Leader, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Lands and Forests)

New York forests are a critical component to reaching NYs climate goals through their sequestration and storage of carbon. To achieve these goals the CLCPA Agriculture and Forestry panel recommended five main strategies 1) keep forests as forests, avoided conversion 2) improved forest management 3) afforestation/reforestation 4) urban forestry 5) bioeconomy. While many of the mechanisms for these systematic changes are still underway there are currently opportunities available for landowners to help combat climate change on their properties.

 

This series is co-hosted with the USDA Northeast Climate Hub.

The Soils section on October 21, is also co-hosted with the Soil Health Initiative.

This series is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Smith Lever Project 2019-20-110.