Extension Out Loud Cornell Cooperative Extension

In a world increasingly dominated by technology, fostering a connection with the natural world carries more weight than ever. This episode of ‘Extension Out Loud’ is a conversation with John Linstrom, who recently edited a new version of Liberty Hyde Bailey’s book, “The Nature Study Idea.”
 
Bailey, a horticulturist, and educator, helped found the Cornell College of Agriculture, becoming dean of what was then known as New York State College of Agriculture. He believed that cultivating a relationship with nature was not just beneficial, but essential. Originally written for elementary school teachers, Bailey’s work laid the foundations for 4-H, emphasizing an experiential approach to engage youth in active learning
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 This new edition of the “Nature Study Idea” brings Bailey’s ideas to a new generation.
 
“Bailey’s philosophical and literary writing is just so beautiful and grounded ,” Linstrom says. “I think it really speaks to his idea of the human place in the natural world, and to our current moment.”
Linstrom argues that Bailey’s work, though written over a century ago, offers valuable insights that have been somewhat lost to environmental thought.
Bailey’s concept of nature study goes beyond the accumulation of facts about plants and animals. The Nature Study Idea emphasizes the cultivation of a sense of wonder and empathy for the natural world. Linstrom suggests that Bailey’s concept of “sympathy with nature” is particularly relevant today, as environmental concerns continue to mount.
Linstrom’s edited edition of “The Nature Study Idea” offers a timely reminder of the importance of reconnecting with nature. During our conversation, Linstrom explores Bailey’s philosophy, rooted in observation, curiosity, and empathy, revealing a valuable framework for environmental education in the 21st century.
 
Visit Cornell University Press "The Nature-Study Idea"

After nearly 10 years as the New York State 4-H Director, Andrew Turner ’88, MPS ’98, is moving into a new role as Director for Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) beginning Dec. 1.
In this episode of ‘Extension Out Loud,’ Turner shares his vision for moving the organization forward and his deeply personal connection to and appreciation for the CCE educators across the state who selflessly drive and embody CCE’s commitment to New York state communities.
Turner was prepared for his new role by a lifetime of personal and professional experiences. A third-generation extension professional, Turner has led NYS 4-H since 2014, providing program leadership, professional development, and support for one of the largest and most diverse 4-H programs in the nation. Prior to that, he spent two years on campus as CCE assistant director for field operations and communications.
However, it is Turner’s boots on the ground experience at the county level that he says has most prepared him for his role of director. That journey began in 1989 at CCE Rockland County where Turner worked as a 4-H educator for nine years before serving as executive director for CCE Greene County for 14 years.
Turner says having experienced CCE at different organizational levels, as well as being a Cornell graduate, has had a profound impact on the way he views the reciprocal relationships between communities, local CCE educators, and extension faculty and researchers on campus.
 
 We're not information providers only, we're community builders. And that happens through collaboration and context and embracing diversity, finding a way to engage all the people.

While appreciative of CCE’s rich history of serving New York communities, Turner also acknowledges the need for extension to adapt and embrace new ways of reaching people. Still, Turner emphasizes the importance of maintaining the human element as part of extension’s two-way exchange of ideas with communities. “We're not information providers only, we're community builders,” he said. “And that happens through collaboration and context and embracing diversity, finding a way to engage all the people.”
Download the podcast to learn more about Turner’s perspective on the future of CCE and extension work as well as his deep admiration for the educators who drive and define CCE’s work across the state.  
 
Download the episode transcript (pdf)

The agricultural sector dealing with unprecedented challenges in the face of climate change. To shed light on the efforts being made to address these issues, Jenna Walczak, Ag Climate Resiliency Specialist for CCE’s Harvest New York team joined Cornell Cooperative Extension’s (CCE) ‘Extension Out Loud’ podcast for a conversation about helping farmers adapt to the changing climate and build resilience in their agricultural practices.
 
“Adaptation is the actions that we are taking in response to a changing climate. On farms in New York State, that might mean things like improving water management or soil health to be able to better withstand drought or flooding.”
 
In this episode, Walczak discusses climate vulnerabilities, strategies for adaptation, and the future landscape of farming in New York. While climate-related challenges affect the entire state, their intensity varies across regions. CCE’s work involves tailoring adaptation strategies to cater to the specific needs of each region, ensuring that farmers receive personalized support.
 
Walczak underscores the significance of re-establishing connections within agricultural communities and fostering the exchange of knowledge and experiences among farmers. By building stronger social networks, farmers can collectively address climate challenges and enhance their resilience.
 
“One thing that is important in the agricultural community in terms of building resilience is really developing and continuing to grow social networks.”
 
CCE plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between university research and agricultural stakeholders. Specialists like Walczak serve as conduits for translating scientific knowledge into practical applications on farms. Events like the upcoming climate symposium facilitate collaboration among extension agents, researchers, and farmers, enabling them to share ideas and collectively strive toward a more resilient future for agriculture.
Links:
Responding to Climate Change in New York State (ClimAID)Report
CCE Ag In-service Climate Symposium (November 9, 2023)
Harvest NY (website)
 
 
EpisodeTranscript:
PAUL: Welcome to another episode of Extension Out Loud, a podcast from Cornell Cooperative Extension. I'm your host Paul Treadwell. For this episode, I sat down with Jenna Walczak:, the Ag climate resiliency specialist from Cornell Cooperative Extensions Harvest New York team. Our conversation focuses on the ever-evolving climate challenges confronting the agricultural sector in New York. We also discussed the work of Cornell Cooperative Extension in facilitating innovation and collaboration to support adaptation, and climate resiliency and agricultural practices.
 
JENNA: My name is Jenna, and I am an Ag Climate Resiliency Specialist on the Cornell Cooperative Extension Harvest New York Team.
PAUL: Welcome, Jenna. It's nice to meet you here. When we're looking at New York State, what are the main climate vulnerabilities farmers are currently facing?
JENNA: So there are a number of vulnerabilities or what are referred to as climate risks that are outlined in a 2014 report that's often called the ClimAID Report, and some of these include things like temperature, extreme heat, and more frequent and longer heatwaves are definitely of concern and something we already been seeing.
Another risk is related to precipitation. It's projected that in the coming decades we might be seeing more precipitation over the course of one year but that this precipitation will likely be falling in more extreme rainfall events where we're getting more than 1 or 2 inches in a 24-hour period.
Some other kind of risks or roller abilities are related to increased instances of diseases and things like that, so possibly more generations of an agricultural pest in one season.
PAUL: Given the fact that New York State is a large and geographically diverse State, do the climate vulnerabilities vary by region of the state, or

Chef Chantay Skrine is dicing onions for her collard greens. Skrine, owner of Sweetay’s LLC in Binghamton, N.Y., is at work in a shared commercial kitchen on the campus of Cornell Cooperative Extension Broome County. The past two years have been demanding, but her presence here signals a major step in the growth of her food-based business.
“Being able to utilize the kitchen here at the CCE has been awesome because I'm able to work with some amazing people.”- Chantay Skrine
This episode of Cornell Cooperative Extension's ‘Extension Out Loud’ podcast charts Chantay's journey from home to commercial kitchen and beyond. Amy Willis, Food Systems Project Coordinator, and Katie Matsushima, Food Development Specialist, of CCE Broome County join the conversation to talk about the full range of support her team provides to help Southern Tier chefs successfully scale up a food-based business.
“We always like to say, ‘What do you want to make? Do you have a business plan?’ We always just try to take a second to make sure that we can understand the bigger picture,” says Matsushima. The bigger picture often includes licensing and legal requirements. Combined with a scarcity of available commercial kitchens in Broome County, successfully navigating this landscape requires support and guidance.
“You start at home you grow, develop a base, customers. you start developing those smaller pieces. And then it's time to really scale” -Amy Willis
CCE Broome County offers a unique environment to support home processors who are ready to scale up production. The commercial kitchen is adjacent to the farmer's market. This means that fresh, local produce is available to aspiring chefs. Combined with CCE staff who can help navigate the many challenges facing small food-based businesses the odds of making a successful transition are dramatically increased.
Download this episode transcript (pdf)
 
 

The South Lawn Project, on-site at the offices of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County, in Rochester, N.Y., has transformed an underutilized piece of land into a thriving food-growing environment, offering employment opportunities to at-risk young adults.
In this episode of Cornell Cooperative Extension ‘s 'Extension Out Loud” podcast Marci Muller, CCE Urban Garden Specialist, explains the origin and goals of the South Lawn Project.
During the project's planning phase, Muller envisioned integrating transitional employment aspects into the urban farm's framework, aiming to establish a living laboratory for urban agriculture. According to Muller “a transitional job is a job for someone with barriers to employment. And it gives them the structure of work but not quite as demanding as a real job”.
 A key factor in the project's overall success is the emphasis on mentoring, as young adults work alongside a seasoned farm manager to acquire essential knowledge in planting, tending, and harvesting. Simultaneously, they develop vital skills necessary for success in the workplace.
 Also contributing to this episode are two farm employees, as well as farm manager Mike Kinkaid, and Brendan Tidings of the Regional Valley Market in Rochester. The Regional Market is a supporter of the south lawn farm, providing funding in these first years to help this innovative program continue.
Download the episode transcript (pdf)

Aravelle is a new grape variety developed by Dr. Bruce Reisch of Cornell Agri Tech. This Riesling Cayuga White cross has some unique features that address specific challenges faced by growers here in NY State. 
For this episode of Extension Out Loud I sat down with Dr. Reisch, Hans Walter Peterson – viticulture specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension and Louis and Donna Gridley of Gridley Vineyards to talk about the potential of Aravelle and the process of developing and bringing a new variety to market. 
Download episode transcript: https://cornell.box.com/s/a9si6a131hvo1ys4kihohqzs5xnitfi7 (word document)