Rensselaer County 4-H

06/19/2026

We still have dinners available. Stop on by, chicken BBQ at Schaghticoke Fairgrounds across from Stewart's. $18 per dinner! Help support our 4-H Teen Exchange. CCE Rensselaer County

06/17/2026

Tack Sale Saturday!

06/12/2026

July Donor of the Day Calendar Fundraiser
Donate $10 Today!
Benefit the Rensselaer County 4-H Teen Exchange
For a $10 donation you can purchase a Donor Calendar for July. Each day, one donor will be selected and receive the item/s that correspond to that day of the month. Thank you to so many individuals and businesses that contributed to this fundraiser: Tiashoke Farm Store, Wilde Childe Photography, The Farmers Feed Bunk, Frear Park Golf Course, Concetta’s Pizza House, LaPerla Restaurant and Country Inn, Alexis Diner, Carol’s Place, Dante’s Pizza, Pawling Flowers and Gifts, Worthington Florist, Lakeview Inn on Crystal Lake, Gretchen’s Hallmark Shop, Srisiam Thai Restaurant, LaBella’s Pizza and Restaurant, Golden Grain Pizza, Subway, Five Guys, 16 Handles, Grand Margaritas 7 – Mexican Cantina, St. Croix Farm, Saratoga Paint and Sip, Capital Agway, Austin Road Farm, The Cottrell Family, the Michels Family, the Myers Family, the Tudor Family and the Ruepp Family

July Calendar:
1st - Frear Park Golf Course - $35 Gift Card
2nd – Concetta’s Pizza House - $30 Gift Card
3rd – Pawling Avenue Florist - $25 Gift Card
& Grand Margaritas 7 - $5 Coupon off Brunch
4th – Tractor Supply Company - $30 Gift Card
5th – Price Chopper - $30 Gift Card
& Grand Margaritas 7 - $5 Coupon off Brunch
6th – Srisiam Thai Restaurant - $25 Gift Card
7th – LaPerta Restaurant & Country Inn - $30 Gift Card
8th – Capital Agway - $25 Gift Certificate
& Grand Margaritas 7 - $5 Coupon off Brunch
9th – Saratoga Paint and Sip Studio - $30 Gift Card
10th – Frear Park Golf Course - $35 Gift Card
& Grand Margaritas 7 - $5 Coupon off Brunch
11th – Hannaford Store - $30 Gift Card & Farmers Feed Bunk - $25 gift card
12th – Lakeview Inn - $25 Gift Card
13th – Worthington Florist - $25 Gift Card
& Grand Margaritas 7 - $5 Coupon off Brunch
14th – LaBella’s Pizza & Restaurant - $25 Gift Card
15th – Gretchen’s Hallmark Shop - $25 Gift Card
& Grand Margaritas 7 - $5 Coupon off Brunch
16th – Price Chopper - $30 Gift Card
& Subway - $15 Gift Card
17th – Alexa’s Diner - $30 Gift Card
18th – Capital Agway - $25 Gift Certificate
& Five Guys - $10 Gift Card
19th – St. Croix Farm - $30 Gift Certificate
20th – Tiashoke Farm Store - $30 Gift Certificate
21st – Tractor Supply Company - $30 Gift Card
22nd – Saratoga Paint and Sip Studio - $30 Gift Card
& Wendy’s - $15 Gift Card
23rd – Golden Grain Pizza - $20 Gift Card
& 16 Handles - $16 Gift Card
24th – Wilde Child Photography - $30 Gift Certificate & Farmers Feed Bunk - $25 gift card
25th – Carol’s Place – $30 Gift Card
26th – Frear Park Golf Course - $35 Gift Card
27th – Price Chopper - $30 Gift Card
& Grand Margaritas 7 - $5 Coupon off Brunch
28th – Wild Childe Photography - $30 Gift Certificate
& Wendy’s - $15 Gift Card
29th – Capital Agway - $25 Gift Certificate
& Five Guys - $10 Gift Card
30th – Beckers Farm - $30 Gift Card
31st – Dante’s Pizza - $25 Gift Card
A $10 donation will result in 1 donor calendar. The more calendar donations in $10 increments will yield more calendars to increase your chance you are the “donor of the day”.
To make your donation - https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=NJDL6WY2MGZ58
Please indicate in the “notes” section of the payment platform that it is for the July Donor Calendar and include your best phone number and mailing address. Thank you in advance for your donation!!
CCE Rensselaer County

Help support Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County by donating or sharing with your friends.

06/12/2026

Rensselaer County 4-H Senior Spotlight

06/11/2026

Now Accepting Applications: NYS Animal and Agricultural Leadership Program (AAL)
The New York Youth Animal Science team is thrilled to announce the launch of the third year of the NYS Animal and Agricultural Leadership (AAL) Program — a statewide opportunity for high school students entering at least their sophomore year.
This unique program allows students to explore post-secondary education and career pathways in the dairy, livestock, and equine industries. Participants will connect with faculty and college students, engage in college and career planning, and take part in personal development activities — all within a dynamic, hands-on learning environment.
Throughout the program, students will gain exposure to the field of animal science, exploring opportunities within various species and learning how those interests can translate into diverse career paths.
Program Highlights:
Four two-day sessions held throughout the year
Interactive experiences across multiple animal science disciplines
Networking and mentorship opportunities
Skill-building in leadership, planning, and communication
Application Deadline: September 1
Selections will be made based on each applicant's essay, demonstrated interest, and a personal reference.
Program Fee: $100 per student for the year
Apply and learn more at:
https://cals.cornell.edu/nys-4-h-animal-science-programs/nys-animal-and-agriculture-leadership-program
For questions, please contact:
Brian Aukema – [email protected]
Debbie Grusenmeyer – [email protected]
Brieanna Hughes – [email protected]
Jessica Tyson – [email protected]

🐄🐑🐎 Now Accepting Applications for the NYS Animal & Agricultural Leadership (AAL) Program! 🌾

Are you a high school student entering at least your sophomore year and interested in animals, agriculture, leadership, and future career opportunities? The New York State Animal & Agricultural Leadership (AAL) Program is now accepting applications for its third year!

This unique statewide program provides students with hands-on experiences exploring the dairy, livestock, and equine industries while learning about college and career pathways in animal science. Participants will connect with faculty, college students, and industry professionals while developing valuable leadership, communication, and personal development skills.

✅ Four two-day sessions throughout the year
✅ Hands-on learning across multiple animal science disciplines
✅ College and career exploration opportunities
✅ Networking and mentorship experiences
✅ Leadership and professional skill development

📅 Application Deadline: September 1
💲 Program Fee: $100 per student for the year

Selection is based on an essay, demonstrated interest, and a personal reference.

Learn more and apply today:
https://cals.cornell.edu/nys-4-h-animal-science-programs/nys-animal-and-agriculture-leadership-program

Don't miss this opportunity to grow as a leader while exploring the many career possibilities within animal agriculture!

06/09/2026

What a fantastic day at our 4-H Ag Days on the Farm at Kristy's Barn!

Students from West Sand Lake and Tamarac Elementary Schools spent the day exploring agriculture through hands-on learning experiences focused on dairy, pollinators, fiber, nutrition, greenhouse production, farm equipment, and apple production.

A special thank you to Matt & Amanda Brizzell of Kristy's Barn for hosting us, and to our presenters and volunteers - Kim Mead Degener, Bevevino, the Rensselaer County Soil & Water Conservation District Pollinator Program, and Sophie Townsend for sharing their knowledge and helping inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders. Thank you as well to our CCE staff and everyone who helped to make this program possible. We couldn't have done it without you!

Days like these help connect young people to the farms, food, and fiber that sustain our communities
CCE Rensselaer County

06/09/2026

06/09/2026

Congratulations to our regional teams who participated in the New York State 4-H Horse Judging and Hippology Contest yesterday. There were members from the 4-H programs of CCE Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Fulton-Montgomery. Special thanks to our Coach Alicia and all the Volunteers and CCE staff who made this opportunity possible. The Junior Regional Team brought home a third place and the Senior Team a 2nd. Special congratulations to our own Vincent who placed 10th individually for the junior division for judging, Rena from Albany for placing 10th individually for seniors in Hippology and Benjamin from Saratoga for placing 9th individually for the seniors in Hippology and 2nd in judging, earning a seat on the New York State Team to compete at the National 4-H Roundup in the fall. CCE Rensselaer County . Way to go everyone!

06/07/2026

Today was our 4-H Archery League Contest at Dyken Pond. Everyone had a great time! The youth showed their skills on the archery range, there also was a written test, equipment identification and a fire-starting station. We also got to use our new Hover Ball set up and everyone is excited to see it at the fair! We are very grateful to our wonderful 4-H Shooting Sports instructors for sharing their knowledge and expertise with our youth. And thank you to Dyken Pond for hosting both the Kick-Off event and the contest as well as Bailey Mountain Fish & Game Club and the Pleasantdale Rod & Gun club for hosting our league practices. We are also grateful to the Rensselaer County Department of Youth as well as the Office of Family and Childrens Services for their support as well.
CCE Rensselaer County

06/05/2026

4-H Senior Spotlight