COVID-19 Resources

Due to the recent surge in COVID, we have suspended public visitation to both offices. We continue to be accessible via email and phone 518-622-9820 (Acra) and 518-828-3346 (Hudson).

As we work through these trying times Cornell Cooperative Extension continues its mission of providing research-based information to its communities. Please feel free to use the resources on this page knowing that they have been reviewed by our staff. This page will be updated with the services we are providing to the community at this time.

New York Extension Disaster Education Network

• 1/14: Updates on NYS COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution and Eligibility

Agriculture

• Food Industry Resources
• Online pesticide applicator courses
• The Produce Pages: April 2020
  • The Produce Pages is a monthly publication serving the fruit and vegetable growers of Eastern New York. This months issue highlights considerations for fruit and Vegetable growers related to COVID-19.
• American Farmland Trust: Farmer Relief Fund. Applications are now live!
  
  • Apply in English
  • Apply in Spanish
• Soil Samples: Due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19 the Cornell Soil Health Laboratory is temporally closed. If you have already collected soil samples please store the samples at refrigerator temperature until the lab reopens.

Family and Consumer Sciences

Parenting

• Talking to kids about COVID-19
• COVID-19: Resources for your family's health
• Things to do when you can’t go out

Food Assistance

• Food Pantries in Columbia and Greene Counties with COVID-19 updates
• Shopping for Food safety tips during COVID-19

Finances

• Statewide Family Economics and Resource Management (FERM) Program Work Team
  • FERM is a statewide effort by Cornell Cooperative Extension county educators to help individuals and families adopt management behaviors which lead to more secure financial situations and affordable use of resources through education and practice. To assist consumers impacted by Covid-19, they have assembled a list of federal, state and land-grant resources that can be viewed at COVID-19 Financial Wellness Resources . Some of those resources are extrapolated below for easy reference:

• COVID-19 Financial Wellness Resources
  • The Consumer Financial Protection Board has information ranging from what to do if you have trouble paying your bills, are facing income loss, or have a problem with a financial service.
  • The  Attorney General of New York State has detailed information on Coronavirus resources and warnings on current consumer scams.
  • Know Your Rights: The New York State Health Department has prepared a succinct summary of consumer rights during the Covid-19 crisis in the areas of testing, paid sick leave, unemployment, insurance, mortgages & rent, utilities and price gouging.
  • USDA Warns of Scams Targeting SNAP Recipients
  • Some Organizational Household Management Ideas While Staying in Place
  • Activate your EIP Visa debit card

Gardening

Even though no one is in the office to take your phone calls, the Master Gardeners are still available to answer your gardening questions. Please reach out to  Donna Peterson at dp234@cornell.edu with any questions.

• Soil Samples: Due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19, the Cornell Soil Health Laboratory is temporally closed. If you have already collected soil samples, please store the samples at refrigerator temperature until the lab reopens.

Last updated January 15, 2021