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NCPR News Staff: Martha Foley
News and Public Affairs Director
Martha Foley joined the staff of WSLU as morning host in 1981, after a stint at The St. Lawrence Plaindealer. She helped found the news department in 1982, and has seen it grow, and shrink, and grow again. "I especially liked the 'grow again' part," she says, "it means working with really talented reporters, telling more and more stories from around the North Country."
Martha has won state and national awards for her reporting and editing. She has encouraged local news at public radio stations across the country as a member and director of Public Radio News Directors, Inc., an organization of over 100 local newsrooms. As a director of PRNDI for six years, she was responsible for The PRNDI Project, an annual training program for young reporters, and NewsWorks, training for station news departments.
Martha grew up on an Adirondack foothill in northeastern Saratoga County. She lives just south of Canton with her husband, boatbuilder Everett Smith, and her teenaged son, Emmett. Favorite pastimes: sitting, looking, and listening. E-mailStories filed by Martha Foley
Starting seeds. Photo: 305 Seahill, CC some rights reserved
Cleaner is better for starting seeds
Plattsburgh, NY, Mar 18, 2013 — Tiny seedlings can fall prey to a number of soil-borne diseases that can linger in a gardener's trays and pots from one year to the next.
Cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy spent some time this past weekend sanitizing in advance of starting seeds inside. She tells Martha Foley why, and how. Go to full article
Cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy spent some time this past weekend sanitizing in advance of starting seeds inside. She tells Martha Foley why, and how. Go to full article
Interview: Aubertine likes Gov. Cuomo's ag plans
Albany, NY, Mar 13, 2013 — New York Agriculture Commissioner Darrel Aubertine finds a lot to like in Gov. Andrew Cuomo's vision for the state.
The governor's State of the State and budget messages in January put farm country squarely under the administration's economic development tent.
Cuomo called the agriculture sector of the economy "vibrant," with growing yogurt, and wine, beer and spirits industries.
And he said there's much more to be done to promote and market New York products.
Aubertine toured the region recently to talk about the budget. He sat down with Martha Foley. Go to full article
The governor's State of the State and budget messages in January put farm country squarely under the administration's economic development tent.
Cuomo called the agriculture sector of the economy "vibrant," with growing yogurt, and wine, beer and spirits industries.
And he said there's much more to be done to promote and market New York products.
Aubertine toured the region recently to talk about the budget. He sat down with Martha Foley. Go to full article
Title screen courtesy Mountain Lake PBS
Mountain Lake PBS takes a local look at "After Newtown"
Plattsburgh, NY, Feb 21, 2013 — A special live edition of Mountain Lake Journal tonight (Thursday) will discuss how local schools are responding to the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December. Mountain Lake PBS Anchor Thom Hallock will take viewer questions and comments. He'll also talk with a panel of educators, law enforcement officers, and mental health professionals about reactions and security measures in North Country schools and communities in the weeks after the tragedy. Hallock spoke with Martha Foley during the 8 'clock Hour this morning. Go to full article
Hedging and fencing can protect the garden from winter wind. Photo: Abi Skipp, CC some rights reserved
Strategies for working with wind
Plattsburgh, NY, Feb 18, 2013 — Winter wind takes a toll on a household. It fills a driveway up with blowing snow. The windy side of a house can be colder on the inside, as well as the outside.
Wind makes life hard for shrubs and trees, too, even some native species that are truly winter hardy when they're planted in a protected location. But as Cooperative extension's horticulturist Amy Ivy tells Martha Foley, wind-tolerant plantings can help block and redirect the worst of the wind. In their weekly conversation, she's got suggestions for what to plant and where, for short term and long term windbreaks. Go to full article
Wind makes life hard for shrubs and trees, too, even some native species that are truly winter hardy when they're planted in a protected location. But as Cooperative extension's horticulturist Amy Ivy tells Martha Foley, wind-tolerant plantings can help block and redirect the worst of the wind. In their weekly conversation, she's got suggestions for what to plant and where, for short term and long term windbreaks. Go to full article
21 inches of snow in Canton, by Martha's informal measure.
Seeing the shapes of the garden in winter
Plattsburgh, NY, Feb 11, 2013 — A big snowfall makes the basic shapes of the garden stand out in relief against the white background. Amy Ivy and Martha Foley talk about choosing and shaping shrubs and the basic architecture of the garden, taking advantage of this opportunity when just the bones are showing.
And on a cautionary note, it's good to mark yard and garden features that will be buried, particulary if they are near to where the snowplow might go. Also be careful about placing more delicate plantings where snow will shoveled or plowed into deep heavy piles. Go to full article
And on a cautionary note, it's good to mark yard and garden features that will be buried, particulary if they are near to where the snowplow might go. Also be careful about placing more delicate plantings where snow will shoveled or plowed into deep heavy piles. Go to full article
Echinacea purpurea 'Maxima' is one common perennial that's easy to start from seed. Photo: Ulf Eliasson, CC some rights reserved
Getting a jump on the flower season
Plattsburgh, NY, Feb 04, 2013 — Starting seeds indoors is a mid-winter routine that gives gardeners a nice taste of the coming season: potting mix on the fingers, the fragrance of moist soil. Mostly, the trays and boxes of little seedlings are destined for the vegetable garden.
Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy has suggestions this week for starting flowers, perennial, that is, from seed as well.
She tells Martha Foley that starting perennials from seed is generally a more forgiving project than getting vegetable seedlings ready to go. Timing for the getting young flowers ready for transplanting isn't so crucial. One caveat: the timeline to maturity is longer. Go to full article
Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy has suggestions this week for starting flowers, perennial, that is, from seed as well.
She tells Martha Foley that starting perennials from seed is generally a more forgiving project than getting vegetable seedlings ready to go. Timing for the getting young flowers ready for transplanting isn't so crucial. One caveat: the timeline to maturity is longer. Go to full article
There's more to than just pouring water on top. Photo: F.D. Richards, CC some rights reserved
Proper watering essential for houseplants
Plattsburgh, NY, Jan 21, 2013 — Watering houseplants the right way can be a life-or-death proposition, for the plant.
Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy tells Martha Foley poor watering practice is the number one killer of houseplants. Her advice: pay close attention, and remember every plant is different. Go to full article
Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy tells Martha Foley poor watering practice is the number one killer of houseplants. Her advice: pay close attention, and remember every plant is different. Go to full article
Dan and Megan Kent's high tunnel on their farm near Heuvelton, NY. Photo: Todd Moe
New gear for gardeners
Plattsburgh, NY, Jan 14, 2013 — Seed catalogs have started to arrive, with plenty of ideas and new products for the coming growing season. High tunnels, low tunnels, irrigation systems...it all can be a bit daunting.
Cornell Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy helps sort through the offerings. Go to full article
Cornell Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy helps sort through the offerings. Go to full article
Jupiter and Moons through a 10" lx200 telescope. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Saturn, Jupiter...and comets on the way
Canton, NY, Jan 08, 2013 — Clear nights in the forecast, and the waning crescent Moon make for a great opportunity to bundle up and get outside for some sky-watching.
St. Lawrence University physics professor Aileen O'Donoghue tells Martha Foley that Jupiter and Saturn are high and bright in the sky these days. Aileen's advice: bring good binoculars because there's a good chance you could see Jupiter's famous moons.
And she has news for later this winter, too. There are two comets on our way. Go to full article
St. Lawrence University physics professor Aileen O'Donoghue tells Martha Foley that Jupiter and Saturn are high and bright in the sky these days. Aileen's advice: bring good binoculars because there's a good chance you could see Jupiter's famous moons.
And she has news for later this winter, too. There are two comets on our way. Go to full article
Just rocks can make a difference. Photo: Ellen Rocco
The garden in winter
Plattsburgh, NY, Jan 07, 2013 — The stark contrasts of a snowy landscape bring out hidden beauty in the garden and the yard. Plant stems and flower heads give depth and detail, and fences and other structures can anchor the view. Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy sorts through her favorites with Martha Foley. Go to full article
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St. Lawrence University, Canton,
New York 13617 • phone: 1-877-388-6277 • email
radio@ncpr.orgNCPR is a proud affiliate of:
NPR • American Public Media • Public Radio International
