Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County

09/12/2026

Let's hear from some farmers market vendors who are wrapping up their first season!

Sarah, Terry, and Allen are first year market vendors who received the Farmers Market Resiliency Grant! Through this grant they were provided funds for market vendor materials, point of sale systems, and production enhancing and season extension equipment. The first year is all about learning and growing, and we were happy to help!

There is still some time to shop locally at the farmers market before the end of the season!

Watertown Farm & Craft Market
Swan Bay Resort - 1000 Islands Premier RV Park & Marina
Carthage Area Chamber of Commerce Farmers Market
Back Pasture Berries

09/11/2026

Fort Drum community members with base access are invited to join us at the Rhicard Hills Community Center on Fort Drum for our The Buzz on Beekeeping workshop! Held on Tuesday, September 22nd, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM, participants will explore the beehives maintained by Mountain Community Homes, enjoy a hot honey making lesson, and learn about beginning your beekeeping journey.

Register here: https://cce.cornell.edu/jefferson/the-buzz-on-beekeeping

09/10/2026

Under the Fort Drum Full-Service Community Schools Grant, the consortium held a 6-week Future Forward Summer program at BOCES of Jefferson County. Through collaborations with teachers at BOCES, and community members, the youth received an amazing range of engaging college and career experiences that they wouldn’t receive in a normal school day. The youth thoroughly enjoyed the variety of activities presented to them this past Summer!

Throughout the program, students explored a wide range of career fields and hands-on experiences including medical arts, agriculture, visual communications, culinary arts, line dancing, childcare and development, entrepreneurship, and more!

09/09/2026

Canning is a great way to enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor all year long!

This August, we hosted "Preserving Your Harvest" a beginner's guide to food preservation! Participants explored different methods of canning, and which method is best for each crop. At the end of the workshop, participants put their knowledge to the test by making and water bath canning their own salsa! Thank you to Bush Gardens for providing produce for this hands-on learning experience!

Looking for approved websites to start your food preservation journey? Check out the resources found here: https://ccesaratoga.org/nutrition/food-preservation

09/08/2026

We have another highlight to share from The Great New York State Fair!

One of our 4-H youth, Haily Fleming, competed in the NYS 4-H Poultry Science Contest and earned 3rd place overall! Haily judged live production hens, carcasses, and eggs for this contest. Way to go Haily!🐔🥚

09/08/2026

Jefferson County 4-H was well-represented at this year's NYS 4-H Dairy Judging Contest at the The Great New York State Fair!

8 members competed in the contest. Here are a few competition highlights:
·6th place Beginner team
·8th place Junior team with Harper Beach earning 6th place individual for the Junior division!
·7th place Senior team- combined with Lewis County

We are so proud of these kids for a job well done! 🐮🍀

09/02/2026

Summer fun has come to an end, and a new school year is here! Our Indian River Summer Camp students spent the summer learning, exploring, and a having fun through adventure, ocean, superhero, and fair-themed activities.

We're wishing all students a happy and successful 2026/2027 school year!

09/01/2026

This harvest season may be coming to a close, but now is the perfect time to start planning for next year's garden!

Join us on September 23rd for "Planning Your Next Harvest" a free vegetable seed saving workshop, perfect for growers of all scales! This workshop will explore the physical and economic benefits of saving vegetable seeds and discuss best practices of storing seeds. At the end of the workshop, participants will put their knowledge to the test by saving some seeds for themselves!

Check out the full workshop details here: https://cce.cornell.edu/jefferson/planning-your-next-harvest-vegetable-seed-saving

08/31/2026

Help support the future of youth on Saturday, October 17th from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM and join us for our Adventure Awaits Auction at 4-H Camp Wabasso!

The live auction will feature a variety of outdoor-themed items, experiences, and services, along with camp tours, s'mores, and a trail mix bar!

Come and enjoy a fun fall afternoon, bid on something exciting, soak in the beauty of camp during the fall season, and support a great cause!

  At CCE Jefferson County, we connect local communities with the research and resources of Cornell University while fostering opportunities for growth, learning, and innovation. From free or low-cost workshops on topics ranging from organic gardening and canning to parenting and youth development,...

08/27/2026

A new school year is upon us! Here are some back to school safety tips!

•Stop for school buses with flashing red lights and extended stop signs. Motorists must stop in both directions on two-lane roads.
•If riding a bicycle, always wear a helmet that fits snug and be sure to ride it in the same direction as traffic.
•Choose backpacks with wide, padded straps, and try to keep the weight under 10-15% of the child’s body weight.
•Teach children to never talk to strangers and to walk with a friend. Walk or drive the route to school with your child beforehand.
•Ensure the school has updated emergency contact information.
•Make sure children know their home address and an emergency contact phone number.

Have a fun & safe school year!