With the aid of high-tech tools, Agriculture Research Service (ARS) and collaborating scientists are closing in on the genes in rice that regulate the uptake and storage of important minerals; a pursuit that could bolster the nutritional value of this cereal grain crop as a staple food for roughly half the world’s population.

Ultimately, the team envisions bio-fortifying rice using traditional plant breeding methods to develop new varieties whose kernels (grain) boast exceptionally high concentrations of essential minerals, including zinc, iron, and calcium.

Rice is a mainstay of the human diet for good reason.  It is a rich source of energy, free of gluten (which causes allergic reactions in some individuals), easy to digest, low in fat, and packed with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.  Some key elements, however, like iron, are lost when the bran on brown rice is stripped off during milling to produce so-called white rice. More than 70 percent of rice eaten in the US is enriched.  Thiamine, niacin, iron, and folic acid have been added to the outside surface of the uncooked white kernels to bring the overall nutritional value up to that same as or higher than that of the wholegrain version (brown rice).

Today is National Eat Your Vegetables Day and that means that it’s time to veg out. No, not on your couch—in your kitchen!

Vegetables give your body the nutrients you need to be healthy and strong. Not only that, but they taste delicious and can be prepared in many different ways. Whether they are raw or cooked; fresh, frozen, canned, or dried/dehydrated; or whole, cut-up, or mashed, it’s incredibly easy to incorporate vegetables into snacks and at mealtime. Here are some tips for enjoying veggies at their best:

Most celebrations involve food. In honor of MyPlate’s 2nd birthday try out a new healthy recipe from the MyPlate Recipes Pinterest account: www.pinterest.com/myplaterecipes

Also, post your own favorite celebration recipes on Pinterest and use the hashtag #MyPlateBirthday.

MyPlate Recipes on Pinterest is brought to you by MyPlate, Let's Move and the Partnership for a Healthier America.

The doors to MyPlate Kids' Place are open! Kids will find games, videos, songs, activity sheets, recipes, and tips to help them eat healthier and move more. Parents and teachers will find new ways to help kids make healthier food and physical activity choices. Teachers and professionals can also add the resources to summer camp and back-to-school efforts.

Come hangout at MyPlate Kids' Place!!
http://www.choosemyplate.gov/kids/index.html

Vegetable growers and flower gardeners alike will find quality-stock plants at the annual Master Gardener Plant Sale sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension in Fulton and Montgomery Counties. The sale will be held in the parking lot of Udderly Delicious, North Comrie Avenue (State Highway 30A) in Johnstown on Saturday, June 1, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.  A wide variety of vegetable bedding plants, including several varieties of tomatoes, annuals and perennial flower plants, and some house plants will be featured at this year’s sale.  

Home-owners who wish to spruce up their grounds in preparation for backyard celebrations, add some color to their landscapes, fill some window boxes or patio planters, or just plant a flower garden, will find beautiful color and selection. Volunteer master gardeners will be on site to help individuals make selections to plant together into containers or directly into the landscape.

A major goal of the plant sale is to provide one-on-one expertise on-the-spot to local customers. “This plant sale is a unique experience because there are trained volunteer master gardeners who can answer your questions about preparing your space and planting the plants to help you be successful with the plants you decide to buy,” according to master gardener Deb Landrio from Johnstown, New York.

Questions about the sale may be directed to Cornell Cooperative Extension in Fulton and Montgomery Counties at 518-673-5525 x 101. Proceeds from the sale will augment learning opportunities for the Fulton/Montgomery Master Gardener Program.

The Spring 2013 4-H Paper Clover Campaign in partnership with Tractor Supply Company (TSC) is taking place May 8 – 19.  Now in its fourth year, the fundraiser allows TSC shoppers to purchase paper clovers for $1 at checkout.  In addition to the $1 Paper Clover, there will now be a $5 Paper Clover available which will be larger than the original.  Both $1 and $5 Paper Clovers will have a $1 or $2 Purina coupon attached available to customers when they make a donation to 4-H.

Paper Clovers are being sold at the 990 Tractor Supply Centers throughout the country to support 4-H.  In New York State 65 percent of the monies raised will be allocated to county 4-H programs and the NYS 4-H Foundation will receive ten percent of the funds raised.  In Fulton and Montgomery Counties there are two Tractor Supply Stores – one at 4584 State Highway 30 in Amsterdam and one at 27 Arterial Plaza in Gloversville.  Individuals are encouraged to shop TSC and buy a clover during this special promotion to support local 4-H youth development program activities.

To date, all TSC 4-H Paper Clover Promotions nationwide have raised a total of approximately $2,161,287. County 4-H programs have received approximately $1,296,772, state 4-H programs have received approximately $216,128 and National 4-H Council has received $648,386. The effort has provided support for 4-H clubs, school enrichment, after-school programs, special interest programs and other activities so youth can explore their interests in everything from animal science to robotics.  Monies from the 2012 TSC 4-H Paper Clover Campaigns helped partially underwrite expenses for Fulton/Montgomery 4-H members to participate in the 4-H Career Explorations Program at Cornell University and helped support the implementation of a two-day 4-H Veterinary Science program for local teens.

Department of Agriculture & Markets and State Gaming Commission Issue Precautions Regarding Equine Herpes Virus at Vernon Downs Racetrack

New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets Commissioner Darrel J. Aubertine and State Gaming Commission Acting Executive Director Robert Williams today issued the following statement:  Laboratory tests completed at the New York State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory revealed that at least three horses stabled at Vernon Downs Raceway have been infected with a strain of the Equine Herpes Virus Type 1 (EHV-1).  The horses were stalled in two barns at the track, both of which have since been quarantined.  EHV-1 is an airborne viral infection which can cause respiratory disease, abortion in broodmares, death in newborn foals and a neurological form of herpes. 

Over the last several years the market place has offered a large increase in foods labeled ‘gluten-free.’ In addition, gluten-free diets and lifestyles are being promoted in books such as Wheat Belly and in media ‘talk shows’. But who should be buying and eating gluten-free foods? What is gluten and where does it come from? Is a gluten-free diet healthier than following MyPlate recommendations? Has the prevalence of Celiac Disease increased significantly in recent years? Can a person be gluten sensitive but not have Celiac disease? If someone in my family learns they need to avoid gluten, what do I need to know and do?

These questions and more will be answered by Pam Cureton, RD, LDN in a webinar hosted by the Families, Food and Fitness eXtension CoP on May 1, 1-2 PM (CST).

4-H volunteers, leaders, parents, teachers, youth professionals etc. are you looking to learn some fun and easy science activities to use with youth (grades 3-8) that were developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology? This fun, educational training will get you active and motivated for exciting hands-on science activities that teach youth about birds, the environment and citizen science.

On Saturday, June 29^th educators will gather for some fun learning about birds, their habitat and much more. Part of the day will involve exploring the Burbine forest looking for birds and their habitats. The event is from     9 a.m.- 2 p.m. at the Charleston Municipal Building (480 Corbin Hill Rd. Charleston, NY 12166).  There is a $10 fee which includes lunch, snacks and handouts.  Register by contacting the Cooperative Extension office at 673-5525, registrations are due on or before June 17^th. View the registration form below.