CCE Rensselaer County

10/14/2026

In our new webinar, we visit Engelke Farm, then head into the kitchen to turn a big pile of tomatoes into a simple, plain sauce you can enjoy all winter.

You'll learn:
Some history about tomatoes
The one rule for canning tomatoes safely: add acid to every jar
The "hot break" trick that keeps your sauce from separating
How long to process jars in a boiling-water or pressure canner

All steps follow tested USDA and National Center for Home Food Preservation guidelines, so you can can with confidence.

Find the link to our webinar in the comments

10/13/2026

In honor of National Farmer Day, a huge thank you to all the hard working farmers! 🥕🌾🐄🍎. No farms, no food 🚜, support your local farmers. Rensselaer County 4-H

10/12/2026

Our offices are closed today in observance of the Columbus Day.

Looking for our video library? Head on over to https://www.youtube.com/user/ccerensselaer.

Can't find the answer to your question? Send us a message or leave us a message at 518-272-4210, and we'll get back to you ASAP!

10/10/2026

10/09/2026

Does October find you not wanting to give up gardening? Late-blooming perennials, such as fall asters, garden goldenrods and autumn crocuses as well as long-lived annuals provide explosive color and keep the gardening season going until the first frosts.Learn how to include these beauties in your own garden in our upcoming free webinar, “Plants for an Autumn Garden,” scheduled for Wednesday, October 21 at Noon.
Registration is required prior to start of meeting. To register, please visit our website event page at https://rensselaer.cce.cornell.edu/events

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to us at 518-272-4210.

10/08/2026

It's Thankful Thursday!
We are so grateful for all of our wonderful 4-H volunteers, educators, leaders, parents, and staff who make 4-H possible. We could not do it without you!
For more information on how to become a 4-H volunteer, or how to enroll your child in the Rensselaer County 4-H program, please contact Eileen at [email protected].
CCE Rensselaer County
@ National 4-H

10/08/2026

As we celebrate National 4-H Week, we are shining a spotlight on the incredible diversity of 4-H animal projects!

4-H youth gain hands-on experience with a wide variety of animals. While some members work with cattle, sheep, goats, rabbits, and poultry, others focus on companion animals, small pets, and other species. Through these experiences, youth develop responsibility, leadership, communication skills, and a deeper understanding of animal care and agriculture.
If you love animals, there's a place for you in 4-H!

CCE Rensselaer County

10/07/2026

Have you been to Ives Hollow Vineyard and picked your own fresh grapes?
If you have, we recommend heading over to YouTube and watching “Mastering Jellied Products,” a video created by our very own Agriculture and Nutrition Educators. It’s a great way to put those fresh, local grapes to use!
Haven’t made it to Ives Hollow Vineyard yet? We recommend a visit! And when you’re looking for more local products, be sure to check out Harvest Connection to help you find farms, farmers’ markets and other local agricultural products throughout the region.
Video link in the comments!

10/06/2026

With National 4-H Week in full swing – feel free to go green not just this week but maybe all month or even all year! CCE Rensselaer’s 4-H program reaches roughly 1 in 4 school-aged youth in the county. Do you want to learn more about 4-H and get your youth involved? Feel free to visit our website - https://rensselaer.cce.cornell.edu/ reach out to us via phone at 518-272-4210 or email Eileen DePaula at [email protected]. Think about joining us on October 24th at the Schodack Island State Park for our Clover Fun Run – stepping off at 10 AM. Registration Link - https://my.cheddarup.com/c/rensselaer-county-4-h-clover-run-copy/items.