Cornell Cooperative Extension

09/25/2026

Meet Erik Smith!

Erik Smith, field crops specialist and team leader with CCE’s Central New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program, didn’t grow up on a farm. But a family legacy in agriculture — and a summer job studying insects — set him on an unexpected path to Extension.

Today, he serves grain and forage producers across eight counties, combining education, on-farm consultation and applied research, including a statewide study examining neonicotinoid seed treatments.

09/18/2026

Feeling foggy this fall? Start with what’s on your plate.

CCE Seneca County nutritionist Christina Ehlers joins the FLX Morning Podcast this week to share fall harvest tips for brain health. Ehlers highlights brain-boosting foods, meal planning strategies, and how to make the most of what’s ripe right now – including tomatoes, sweet corn, and melons.

Tune in:

As the Finger Lakes region moves into fall harvest season, Cornell Cooperative Extension nutritionist Christina Ehlers joined the FLX Morning Podcast to disc...

09/15/2026

What makes an apple perfect for hard cider? It might not be what you think.

Mike Basedow, tree fruit specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture team, breaks down what separates the apples we snack on from those grown specifically for cider.

The biggest difference is on the inside. Cider apples pack more tannins and other compounds — the exact things that give hard cider its dryness, bitterness and complexity.

Some apples are made for eating. Others are made for fermenting.

09/11/2026

What makes an apple perfect for hard cider? It might not be what you think. 🍎

Mike Basedow, tree fruit specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture team, breaks down what separates the apples we snack on from those grown specifically for cider.

The biggest difference is on the inside. Cider apples pack more tannins and other compounds — the exact things that give hard cider its dryness, bitterness and complexity.

Some apples are made for eating. Others are made for fermenting.

09/10/2026

Nice work, Haily! A great showing for Jefferson County 4-H at the The Great New York State Fair.

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!🐔🥚

09/09/2026

As an 8-year-old raising a market turkey, Autumn Lavine had no idea 4-H would one day become her life’s work.

Now she’s a fixture at the Fair for more than 20 years, serving as the 4-H New York State Fair coordinator. Autumn oversees the 4-H Youth Building, coordinates evaluators and volunteers, and guides teens through the fair experience, from their first exhibit to running daily operations as junior superintendents.

“I love watching kids grow and return year after year,” she says. “There are former 4-H members with families of their own who visit me at the fair to share memories of how 4-H shaped them.”

Read Autumn's Faces of Extension profile at:

As an 8-year-old with a market turkey project, Autumn Lavine had no idea that 4-H would become her life's work. Now the 4-H New York State Fair and international exchange coordinator, Lavine has spent more than 20 years helping youth build confidence, develop skills and find their sense of belonging...

09/04/2026

At The Great New York State Fair, Wyoming County 4-H’er Alaina and her pig, Iris, took on the Youth Swine Show.

In the ring, Alaina works to keep Iris in the judge’s view while showing how well they can move and respond as a team. But showing swine has helped Alaina grow beyond the show ring, too.

Watch as Alaina shares how she overcame her fear of competing in front of a crowd.

09/03/2026

A sneak peek inside the 4-H Youth Building at The Great New York State Fair!

4-H projects fill nearly every corner, with projects ranging from woodworking and clothing to detailed models and original artwork. Each creation reflects hours of learning and hands-on work by a New York 4-H’er.

Stop by the Youth Building during your next visit to the Fair!

09/02/2026

The goats showed up in style for the 4-H Goat Costume Contest at The Great New York State Fair!

09/02/2026

Congratulations to Kathy Burns of CCE Onondaga County, who received the Women in Agriculture Friend of the Fair Award today at The Great New York State Fair!

Kathy leads the Voice of the Farmer Garden on the State Fairgrounds, where fairgoers can see growing crops and learn what really goes into producing our food, successes, challenges, and all.

The award recognizes Kathy’s work bringing CCE’s educational mission to life at one of New York state’s largest public gatherings, and helping people better understand where their food comes from.

Read more about Kathy’s work and impact: https://cals.cornell.edu/news/2026/09/cces-kathy-burns-awarded-women-agriculture-friend-of-fair-award