Chris Pickerell, CCE Suffolk Marine Program Director, Testifies Before Congress

Chris Pickerell, Director of the Marine Program at Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Suffolk County, took center stage before the House Committee on Natural Resources on January 18th, advocating for the passage of the Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act.

The bill seeks to reauthorize the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, directing the Office of the Management Conference of the Long Island Sound Study within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enhance the implementation of the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for Long Island Sound. The ultimate goal is to reduce conflicts among uses, minimize adverse environmental impacts, facilitate compatible uses, and preserve critical ecosystem services

The CCE Marine Program has been at the forefront of initiatives aimed at celebrating and enhancing Long Island's marine environment. Examples of impactful projects include habitat restoration, citizen science programs, support for aquaculture and fishing industries, water quality monitoring, and more.

"Long Island is surrounded by water. This connection to bays, the Sound, and the Atlantic Ocean has helped to define who we are and how we live," said Chris. "A healthy and productive marine environment not only improves the quality of life here but also helps to support the local economy."

Check out the article from the Cornell Chronicle here

Watch the full testimony here

First Local Official Meeting of the Year with Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey

Each year, CCE Suffolk endeavors to engage with our elected officials for discussions on the ongoing initiatives of Cornell Cooperative Extension within and around their district. I had the pleasure of kicking off this year's series of meetings with Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey of the Suffolk County Legislature!

As a non-profit, sub-governmental association, CCE Suffolk heavily relies on its partnerships with local government entities to effectively leverage the diverse research conducted by our educators, providing guidance and solutions in communities where it is most effective. We sincerely value the opportunity to assess our existing programs and services, as well as communicate our objectives for 2024 and beyond!

Meeting with Suffolk County Executive

Ed Romaine

Thank you to Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine for taking time to meet with our program leaders, who provided an overview of Cornell Cooperative Extension initiatives and projects across the county!

Pictured:

Nora Catlin, Agriculture Program Director

Zahrine Bajwa, Community Education Program Director

August Ruckdeschel, Clean Energy Coordinator

Vanessa Lockel, Executive Director of CCE Suffolk

Chris Pickerell, Marine Program Director

Vicki Fleming, 4-H Youth Development Director / Suffolk County Farm Administrator

Heather Zurawski, Assistant Finance Director

2024 Lobby Day at the State Capital

CCE Suffolk Executive Director Vanessa Pino Lockel had the privilege of representing our organization at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Executive Leadership Conference & Lobby Day in Albany!

During the event, Vanessa engaged with members of the New York State Senate and New York State Assembly, highlighting our organization's presence and the valuable services we offer on Long Island.

We express our gratitude to our elected officials for their continuous support of our endeavors!

Senator Alexis Weik | Senator Monica Martinez | Senator Anthony Palumbo | Senator Mario Mattera | Senator Dean Murray | Assemblyman Phil Ramos | Assemblyman Fred Thiele, Jr. | Assemblyman Ed Flood | Assemblyman Steve Stern | Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick | Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio

Governor Hochul on Long Island: Visit to Kings Park High School

It was a privilege to be present at Kings Park High School as Governor Kathy Hochul rolled out her plans for Long Island in the state budget, outlining funds for mental health support services, environmental conservation, and more. 

Additionally, Governor Hochul announced a $10M grant award for the King’s Park community as part of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, as well as $5 million in grants for the Village of Mineola and North Bellport. 

First Board of Directors Meeting of 2024

At the first Board of Directors meeting of 2024, we extended a warm welcome to both new and returning board members!

We were privileged to have in attendance Andrew Turner, Director at Cornell Cooperative Extension and Associate Dean for Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and College of Human Ecology. He initiated the evening by providing insights into CCE's plans for advancement in the upcoming year.

To learn more about Andrew and his vision for moving our organization forward, check out this interview

NY State Parks 29th Annual Winter Run Series

I am very proud to once again be participating in the NY State Parks 29th Annual Winter Run Series!

The series began at Heckscher State Park, where I secured a 5th place finish in my age group. Following that, we moved on to the next race at Robert Moses State Park!

Learn more about the NY State Parks Winter Run Series here

Holiday Donation Drive Completed

Thank you to all CCE Suffolk Staff who donated during our holiday gathering!

Donated items were delivered to Pax Christi Men’s Shelter in Port Jefferson and Maureen's Haven in Riverhead.

It is heartening to witness the dedication and generosity of our staff, and their contributions further strengthen the bonds that make our organization and community so special. These small, incidental things, that we may take for granted, are crucial to people's well-being and confidence, health and comfort.

Vision Boarding with the

Latina Mentoring Program

Executive Director Vanessa Lockel was at Brentwood High School for a vison boarding activity with the Latina Mentoring Program!

In partnership with the NYS Mentoring Program, the Latina Mentoring Program pairs Latina government, community, and corporate leaders with 9th & 10th student mentees, meeting twice a month. The mentorship focuses on connecting young Latinas to internships, scholarship opportunities, and professional development, while celebrating heritage and creating a community. Vanessa is a proud mentor and committee member.

Explore the CCE Suffolk Spanish

Facebook and Instagram Pages!

Discover information about upcoming events and workshops conducted in Spanish, receive valuable health tips and tricks, and more!

Facebook

Instagram

2024 Long Island Agricultural Forum

Thank you to all attendees, presenters, and supporting agencies for a fantastic 43rd annual Long Island Agricultural Forum!

Established in 1917, the Agriculture Program was CCE’s original mandate, and the program continues to support the agricultural industries of LI today with a wide range of specialists, educators, and programs. The partnership between farmers and CCE Suffolk ensures the economic and environmental sustainability of our region’s agricultural industries for many years to come.

Check out our Agriculture Program page for more info.

Sponsors of the 2024 Long Island Agricultural Forum:

A.L.M. Drone Services | American National | Amberg Grapevines | Farm Credit East | Gowan Seed Company | Green Island Distributors, Inc. | Island Bio-Greens | Knights Grapevine Nursery | Lee Rain Inc. | Long Island Cauliflower Association | Marriner-Smith & Krupski Team, Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty | Nutrien Ag Solutions | Plant Food Company | Progressive Grower Ag Supply | United Ag & Turf

2024 Long Island Greenhouse & Floriculture Conference

Last month marked another successful running of the annual Long Island Greenhouse & Floriculture Conference, with nearly 100 professionals in attendance!

Held at the Sea Star Ballroom at the Hyatt East End, topics covered included water conservation, invasive pests, diseases, legislative updates, NYSDEC updates, and more.

Sponsors of the 2024 Long Island Greenhouse & Floriculture Conference:

Ball Horticultural Co. | Farm Credit East | American National | Green Island Distributors | Griffin Greenhouse Supplies | ICL Specialty Fertilizers | IPM Laboratories | JR Peters / Jack’s Fertilizers | Premier Tech | Vaughan’s Horticulture

Master Gardeners Set Volunteer Hours Record for Second Year in a Row

Congratulations and thank you to our CCE Suffolk County Master Gardeners, who contributed a record 13,088 volunteer hours in 2023!

Want to learn about native and pollinator plants, how to prune and propagate, and other good practices for your garden? Join the Master Gardeners of Suffolk County!



If you possess a love for gardening, a desire to share your horticultural expertise, and a commitment to volunteerism, we encourage you to apply! Suffolk school districts have sponsored teachers, and scholarships are available. Those living in and likely to volunteer in under-represented communities may be eligible for a scholarship. 

Applications are now open for the next Master Gardener training beginning on February 28, 2024!

You’ll find the Master Gardener course description here, with the application in the left column of the webpage

Those with questions can contact Roxanne Zimmer at [email protected] 

Those interested in learning what Master Gardeners do can click here

Shop Local!

Many local farm stands are still open and offering amazing produce!

Whether you're looking for fruit, vegetables, dairy, or baked goods, there's sure to be a location that has what you need.

Check out our Farm Stand List for all of your farm-fresh produce! 

View here

This list has been compiled by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County as a service to Suffolk County residents and farmers. If you would like your farm stand to be included, or if you have any changes or corrections, please contact the Agriculture Program at [email protected].

Town of Brookhaven Health Fair

Our educators attended the 4th Annual Health & Wellness Fair held at the Brookhaven Town Hall Farmingville!

Present were over 50 vendor tables representing various youth, family and senior agencies and local businesses. The team shared important information pertaining to diabetes and reducing sugar & salt consumption, as well as how to increase veggies and fruit in your diet. Everyone who participated truly benefited from our resources and healthy lifestyle tips!

Diabetes Education with the Southampton Rotary Club

Linda Altenburger, Sr. Nutritionist & Program Manager of Diabetes/Human Development with the Community Education program, was invited to present to the Southampton Rotary Club on diabetes and the work that our Diabetes Team does throughout Suffolk County. 

Southampton Rotary President Michael Gomberg presented Linda with a $250 check earmarked for our diabetes team. We are incredibly grateful for their support! 

Also pictured with Linda and Mr. Gomberg is Paul Cassella, Southampton Rotary Community Service Director.

Presenting at John W Dodd Middle School in Freeport

The Community Education team presented a Dental and Nutrition Education lesson for more than 80 students at John W Dodd Middle School!

MyPLate Lessons at the

Family Service League

Bilingual Educator Laury Baez gave a lesson on MyPlate as part of the BOCES Bayshore nutrition workshops, held at the Family Service League.

MyPlate is a visual reminder to make healthy choices from each of the five groups, teaching that the benefits of healthy eating add up over time, bite by bite. 

The Parent Cafe:

Free Parenting Classes

In today's parenting landscape, establishing a supportive community is paramount for families, providing an avenue to express concerns and acquire invaluable insights.

Find your community at the Parent Cafe!



Through this program, families can access free, research-based educational sessions conducted by expert Parent Educators, Nutrition Educators, Lactation Consultants, and more. As an added treat, gifts and light refreshments accompany these informative gatherings!

Surveyed participants at the last Parent Cafe held at the Connetquot Library reported the following:

• 80% reported using positive discipline strategies to teach their children appropriate behavior
• 90% reported feeling more confident in their parenting abilities
• 100% reported having more patience with their child when they have a temper tantrum as a result of attending the Parent Cafe

Quotes from participants:

“What a gift to be able to get this information while having free childcare. When my first child was a toddler, it was so hard to find the time , motivation and energy to learn these parenting strategies. Having a community to keep me coming back each week was so helpful.”

“This helped a lot with parenting and getting out of the house. I will use these techniques every day.”

“Thank you so much for hosting these classes and providing your experience and education. It has helped me better evaluate and grow with my son.”

Childcare is available!

Click the link below to learn more/register!

Half Hollow Hills Library

55 Vanderbilt Parkway | Dix Hills, NY 11746

Learn more/Register

Suffolk County Farm and Education Center

350 Yaphank Avenue | Yaphank, NY 11980

Learn more/Register

Huntington YMCA

60 Main Street | Huntington, NY 11743

Learn more/Register

Virtual Classes Via Zoom

Learn more/Register

Check out some press coverage of this amazing initiative!

Long Island Media Group

Patch

LongIsland.com

Ask the Family Educator

by Maxine Cohen, Parent Educator

What can I buy my sweetheart for Valentine’s Day?

Valentine’s Day is one of those holidays that creates a frenzy of searching for and buying that correct gift, be it flowers, candy, or jewelry. It can be daunting! 

We might do well to heed the advice from Tom Gilovich, Cornell University Professor of Psychology. Prof. Gilovich advises that sharing an experience is more valuable than a material thing you might buy. The reason is that we remember an experience for a much longer period of time than we remember a possession. The professor provides the example of buying a new car. At first, it is very exciting, but after a while you adjust and get used to having the car. The initial thrill is gone. However, experiencing something together creates a wonderful memory and elicits pleasure whenever you think about the experience, especially many years in the future. Sharing an experience together strengthens the connection between the two of you, and sparks happiness when you are reminded of that day. 

What kind of experiences might you consider? The professor suggests attending an arts event, going to a new restaurant to try a totally novel cuisine, visiting a ski resort, or perhaps signing up for lessons together in which you both develop a new skill. These activities broaden your outlook or introduce you both to a new area of shared interest. The experience need not be expensive one, such as a lavish vacation. It can be a visit to a local venue which you’ve never been to before. It can be a weekend of walking on a new trail or rummaging through a bookstore to find that perfect book to read and then discuss together over a bottle of bubbly. The recipient of such a gift will realize how much time and thought went into creating and personalizing the experiential gift.  

Think about the homemade cards your children made when they were little, and how warm and happy you feel in remembering their efforts. I hope you will consider giving your sweetheart a different kind of gift this time. Your loved one will appreciate your effort, and may you both share love and joy as you spend special time together. 

Adult Needlefelting Workshop

The Farm is happy to present the first Adult Needle Felting Workshop!

Join Vicki on February 10th from 10AM- 11:30AM to learn the art of needle felting, designing and create a mushroom to take home.

This class is perfect for anyone over the age of 13 with any level of experience. Pre-registration is required, this class is $15 with an option to buy a take home kit for $20. 

Learn more/Register here

2024 Georgia Boot

Trailblazer Contest

Know a 4-H’er working on an awesome project?

The Georgia Boot Trailblazer contest provides an opportunity for 4-H members to share their project journey, displaying a passion for their projects and doing what they love.

Learn more here

Team Led by CCE Suffolk IT Coordinator Takes 1st at

State Competition

Kudos to CCE Suffolk IT Coordinator Ernie Francis, Aerospace Education Member with the 9th Suffolk Cadet Squadron Civil Air Patrol Cyber Patriots! 

This National Youth Cyber Education Program, sponsored by the Air & Space Forces Association, aims to educate the next generation of patriotic cyber defenders on our nation's security and infrastructure. At the state competition, Ernie and the team took 1st place!

Try the Farm's 1 Mile Walk!

Planning to visit the farm soon? Enjoy a refreshing workout amongst the fields and animals!

Check out the one-mile walk route here

You can also join our Executive Director on her Thursday and Friday morning runs on the property? Please email [email protected] to sign up.

Celebrating 50,000 Electric

Vehicles on Long Island

August Ruckdeschel, CCE Suffolk Clean Energy Coordinator, was at the Long Island Welcome Center for the "Celebrate 50,000 EVs on Long Island" event!

Hosted by Drive Electric Long Island, the celebration gave enthusiasts, as well as those new to the Ev scene, a chance to learn more about the future of transportation.

Start Training for a Career in Renewable Energy and Net Zero Building!

Apply today for Power Up Wind, Solar & Renewables, a FREE United Way of Long Island training program and certification that will help you secure a career in the fast-growing fields of renewable energy, smart grid, and green construction.

This Program will operate out of United Way’s state-of-the-art E3 SmartBuild Training Center in Deer Park and includes:

Introduction to Solar, Wind Turbines, and Renewables

Hands-on training for high-performance and net zero building

Building Science Principles Certification

Assistance with Job Placement upon course completion

OSHA 30

This program is currently FREE of charge and enrollment is limited! Available in both English and Spanish.

Learn more and apply here

Y en español aquí

Check Out The New CCE Suffolk Clean Energy Program Webpage

The new Clean Energy Program will help to connect Suffolk County homes and businesses with the rapidly growing clean energy sector, offering home energy efficiency opportunities, municipal and communal clean energy opportunities, resources for finding job training and employment in the clean energy sector, and more!

View the new webpage here

You can stay up-to-date with the latest from this great program by following along on Facebook and subscribing to the monthly Clean Energy Newsletter!

2024 New York

Seafood Summit

Join us for the 8th Annual NY Seafood Summit!

This event features seafood professionals with vested interest in New York’s seafood industry coming together to foster active communications, build productive relationships, and inspire collaboration throughout the state. 

This year’s summit will focus on access and opportunities to and for New York seafood. Activities include:

• Panel Discussion on Access and Opportunities for New York Seafood
• Industry Spotlight: What’s Happening in New York
• Local Seafood Tastings

There are also 2 more summits taking place across the state, which can be attended in person or virtually:

Mid-State Summit - February 27, 2024

The Culinary Institute of America | Danny Kaye Theater

1946 Campus Drive, Hyde Park, NY 12538

Up-State Summit - March 5, 2024

Cornell AgriTech | Jordan Hall, Second Floor

630 W. North Street, Geneva, NY 14456

Learn more here

SPLASH for CAST Polar Plunge

Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to all those who braved the rain and joined the latest SPLASH for CAST Polar Plunge, taking a chilly dip to support our Marine Program and raise funds!

The Marine Program is thrilled to have been selected as the environmental charity to benefit from this event. Special thank-you to CAST North Fork and the North Fork Polar Bears!

"Meet With An Oceanographer" at the Long Island Aquarium

The Marine Program’s Dr. Matt Sclafani and his team were at the Long Island Aquarium as part of the "Meet With An Oceanographer" initiative!

Visitors to the table learned all about the amazing horseshoe crab; creatures that survived five mass extinctions, lived alongside dinosaurs, and play a crucial role in human health today. These "living fossils" travel from the oceans to our local bays every spring, and our CCE volunteers (over 800 of them last year!) venture out at night to monitor them under the light of the moon. 

Click here to learn more about the NY Horseshoe Crab Monitoring Network and how you can get involved at a location near you!

The New York Times Features

the CCE Marine Program

New York Times reporter Christopher Maag wrote an excellent article highlighting Shelter Island’s local scallop industry and the Marine Program's efforts to restore populations. 

Unfortunately, adult scallops have been dying off since 2019, an issue attributed to a combination of rising water temperatures, the presence of a new parasite, and the stress of spawning. Despite these challenges, our researchers and volunteers persist in growing and planting scallops, while continuing to investigate potential mitigation strategies for these mortality events.

Read the full article here

Register for Tiana Bayside Summer Programs & Sea Stars Marine Camp

We are excited to offer a couple of new summer programs at the Marine Program's Tiana Bayside facility in Hampton Bay!

Registration opens February 12th

Learn more and register here

Sea Stars Marine Camp, located at Fuchs Preserve in Northport, is also opening registration for upcoming programs. Each day of Sea Stars is packed with hands-on activities, outdoor games, exciting arts & crafts and fun educational lessons about the environment!

Registration is open now

Learn more and register here

Meeting of the Suffolk Alliance

for Pollinators (SAP)

Saturday, February 3, 2024, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Led by CCE Suffolk Community Horticultural Specialist Roxanne Zimmer, the Suffolk Alliance for Pollinators (SAP) is a coalition of local groups making Suffolk County a greener pollinator corridor through good gardening practices. It’s mission is to enable Suffolk towns and communities to become part of the growing national initiative led by the Pollinator Pathway Northeast project, a volunteer organization working to establish pollinator-friendly habitat and food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinating insects and wildlife.

The next meeting will begin at 9:30 AM. Doors will open at 9 AM to mix and mingle over coffee. Snow date: Saturday, February 10 at the same time.

Learn more

Mindfulness Mondays - Guided Meditation and Marsh Walk

Monday, February 5, 2024, 11:00 AM - 12:00PM

Immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of nature as you practice mindfulness and connect with your inner self.

Our guide and educator Ella will lead you through a calming meditation session surrounded by our beautiful Cedar Beach Creek and Peconic Bay as a backdrop. Afterward, we will stroll back to the Marine Center through the trails of the marsh and along the beach, where we will observe and identify native plants, signs of wildlife, and enjoy the soothing sounds of nature. This in-person event is the perfect opportunity to prioritizing your well-being while exploring our natural surroundings throughout the seasons at Cedar Beach.

Learn more/Register

ArtSea Mindfulness Mondays - Valentine's Decoupage Oyster Shells

Monday, February 5, 2024, 12:30 PM - 2:00PM

Join us for a unique and creative experience at ArtSea Mindfulness Mondays! Dive into the world of art and mindfulness with artist Carolyn Munaco. The focus of this series is the marine habitats and creatures surrounding the Suffolk County Marine Environmental Learning Center throughout the seasons.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, this in-person event is perfect for everyone. Discover the therapeutic power of art and connect with like-minded individuals. Don't miss out on this opportunity to unwind, and unleash your creativity.

Learn more/Register

Certified Nursery & Landscape Professional (CNLP) Exam Review Course

Wednesday, February 7, 2024, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Wednesday, February 14, 2024, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Tuesday, February 20, 2024, 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

This course is designed to supplement study for landscape professionals interested in becoming a CNLP. Select topics from the CNLP Training Manual will be reviewed. 

As a CNLP in New York state, you will become one of many green industry professionals who share a common desire to continue their education and grow as professionals. In order to qualify for the CNLP Program, you must have graduated from a recognized two- or four-year college with a degree in a horticulture-related field, OR have at least three years experience working in the horticulture industry. 

Visit the NYS Nursery and Landscape website to start the process of becoming a CNLP

Folks new to horticulture and landscape management are welcome and encouraged to participate. All sessions offered both in person and via Zoom, except Session 4 (Feb. 14), which is in person only.

Learn more/Register

Nourishing Yourself and Baby

Thursday, February 8, 2024, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

For expecting parents and parents with children under 5.

In this session, we discuss preconception and pregnancy nutrition and focus on important nutrients for the expecting mother and the baby. We will have a healthy, quick recipe for the participants.

Learn more/Register

Winter Homeschool Series

Wednesday, February 14, 2024, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

This winter, we are offering three classes that serve as the perfect addition to any homeschool curriculum.

One class each month running from 12pm-1pm. These classes are for youth ages 5-10 and are $50 for all three. Pre-registration is required.

Topics are as follows:

• February 14th- Birds of a Feather
• March 20th- Egg to Chick

Please note: In order to provide quality programs we need at least 8 people signed up in order for the program to proceed - so please don't wait to register. In the instance that there are not enough registrants and the class must be canceled, you will be notified one week in advance

Learn more/Register

Postpartum Nutrition

Thursday, February 15, 2024, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

For expecting parents and parents with children under 5.

This workshop focuses on new mothers' nutrient needs and breastfeeding basics. A healthy recipe demonstration will be included.

Learn more/Register

2024 Veterinary Medicine Career Exploration Program

Thursday, February 15, 2024, 7:00 PM - 8:45 PM

Thursday, February 29, 2024, 7:00 PM - 8:45 PM

Thursday, March 7, 2024, 7:00 PM - 8:45 PM

Thursday, March 14, 2024, 7:00 PM - 8:45 PM

Thursday, March 21, 2024, 7:00 PM - 8:45 PM

Is there a high school student in your life interested in pursuing a career in veterinary medicine?

Registration is open for the 33rd annual Veterinary Medicine Career Exploration Program!

This 5-part lecture series is full of information on topics such as the vet school admission process, different veterinary specialties, and what it is like to be a veterinarian. Lectures will be held in-person at the Yaphank County Office Building (360 Yaphank Ave, Yaphank).

**Please note: In order to be eligible for the scholarship and certificate of completion only one absence is allowed, no exceptions.

Questions? Email Kate Perz, 4-H Animal Science Educator, at [email protected]

Learn more/Register

Managing Life After Retirement

Friday, February 16, 2024, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

We all know that retirement has implications for our bank account. However, retirement is a big change that impacts our relationships, our sense of purpose and identity as well as our physical and emotional health.

During this workshop we will review the stages of retirement and look at the four steps identified by researchers at Kansas State University that can improve one’s overall retirement experience by avoiding the most common challenges new retirees often face.

Learn more/Register

Sea Explorers Marine Camp

Sign ups are now open for a ton of great programs held by Sea Explorers Marine Camp and Outreach Programs in Babylon!

• 2/18 Arctic Animals

Explore the frozen world of creatures that call the Arctic and Antarctic home. 

• 3/10 Cool Crustaceans

Spend some time with your pre-schooler and our cool crustaceans as we learn all about these amazing crawling creatures of the sea!

• 4/14 Marine Reptiles and their Land-based Buddie

Discover what makes a reptile a reptile and what adaptations these creatures have to help them survive in some of the world’s most unique environments.

• February Break Program -Things that Sting (and Things that Don't)

2/20 (ages 9-12) and 2/22 (ages 6-8)

Discover some of the local and global sea creatures that are known to sting, bite, or slime us! We will also look at some of the creatures that don’t sting and dispel some of the myths associated with them. 

Learn more and sign up here

Winter Camp at the

Suffolk County Farm

Monday, February 19, 2024, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Tuesday, February 20, 2024, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Wednesday, February 21, 2024, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Thursday, February 22, 2024, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Friday, February 23, 2024, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Open to grades K – 6, our Winter Camp inspires youth to have fun outside while learning about agriculture, animal science, nutrition, healthy living, and life skills on a 100-year-old working farm. Rooted in the 4-H Positive Youth Development framework, our programs teach youth to use their Head, Heart, Hands and Health to foster self-esteem, teamwork and respect.

Each day will include different activities, interactions with farm animals, crafts, wagon rides and much more!

Learn more/Register

Baby's First Solids

Thursday, February 22, 2024, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

For expecting parents and parents with children under 5.

During this program, we will talk about baby's first foods, how to tell when to start solids, feeding styles and the basic nutritional needs for the babies as well as making basic solid foods for them.

Learn more/Register

Introduction to Robotics

Wednesday, February 28, 2024, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Wednesday, March 13, 2024, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

This is a 4 week series that meets once a week 6pm-7:30pm starting February 28.

We'll explore basic robotic and mechanical concepts then team up to design and build a robotic arm from common "junk draw" materials. Each team will be challenged to use their design to carry out a set of tasks. After that, students will be introduced to a more advanced electronic robotic arm that can be programmed using the Blockly coding system in preparation for a second series on more advanced concepts and coding for those who are interested.

Fee: $80

Learn more/Register

Nutrition & Breastfeeding Q&A

Thursday, February 29, 2024, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

For expecting parents and parents with children under 5.

This interactive Q & A session provides the opportunity to ask all your questions directly to our breastfeeding peer counselors/nutritionists.

Learn more/Register

Maple Sugaring at the Farm

Saturday, March 2, 2024, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Saturday, March 2, 2024, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Learn about the process of making syrup by helping drill and tap our maple trees and hanging buckets to collect the sap. Everyone can watch how the sugaring process happens. Enjoy a wagon ride on our "Syrup Express" for a quick visit to our farm animals.

Tapping Demonstrations

Maple Sugaring Process presentation

Wagon Rides-ongoing

Fee: $15 per person ages 3 and up

Learn more/Register

Long Island Horticulture Conference

Tuesday, March 5, 2024, 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM

We invite you to join us for the 34th Annual Long Island Horticulture Conference!

Landscapers, nursery growers, arborists, landscape architects and designers, turf managers, and others in the horticulture industry throughout Long Island and beyond are invited to attend.

Learn more about available sessions/topics here

Register here

Raising Backyard Chickens

Saturday, March 9, 2024, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Ever thought about getting chickens? Planning to start your own backyard flock this Spring?

Join us on the farm Sunday March 9th for a FREE raising chickens 101 seminar to learn all you need to know and ask our 4-H Animal Science Educator any questions you may have.

Lecture Topics include: 

• Raising Chicks
• Pullets & Hens Breeds 
• Behavior
• Nutrition & Disease Prevention 
• Town Ordinances
• Equipment 
• Housing
• Weather Concerns

The presentation is approximately one hour, followed by 30 minutes of Q & A. Please register all paticipants ages 3 and up.

Learn more/Register

St. Patrick's Day Scavenger Hunt

Saturday, March 16, 2024, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

The Leprechaun's are back and they've hidden their gold all across the farm! We'll need your help collecting it all. Join us Saturday, March 16th for our annual hunt for the Leprechaun's pot of gold!

Scavenger hunt, wagon rides, photo ops and farm animals! Lots of fun while you search for that pot of gold..

The scavenger hunt is self directed so begin whenever you arrive, and at your own pace!

Registration is required for both children and adults.

New this year: Food trucks and adult beverages!

Fee: $15 per person ages 3 and up. Under 2 do not need to register.

Learn more/Register

Board of Directors Meeting

Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

The March meeting of the CCE Suffolk Board of Directors will be held at our main offices in Riverhead:

423 Griffing Avenue

Riverhead, NY 11901

Learn more