Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County

Home
United States
Elmsford, NY
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County

Call Directions Website

CCE Westchester is a land-grant nonprofit agency conducting research-based programing.

10/31/2026

Happy Halloween from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County! We hope you have a spooky weekend!

10/29/2026

Whether you have freshly picked apples or just need a great snack, try this ultra creative apple jack-o-lantern activity! Photo and recipe from UMD Extension. Use peanut or another nut butter as ‘glue’ to attach your crazy facial features, which can be made of raisins, craisins, carrots, whole-grain cereal, or anything that you think would make a perfectly spooky apple jack-o-lantern! Then, you have a spooky and delicious Halloween snack to eat and share.

Nutritional facts rely on one apple, two tablespoons of nut butter, half of a carrot, 1/8 cup of raisins, and ¼ cup of whole grain cereal.

10/26/2026

While most people recognize the largest woodpecker, the pileated woodpecker, have you ever spotted this magnificent native species, the Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)? Measuring at about 12 inches tall, they’re still quite large! Despite being seen pecking on trees to nest, they actually prefer to eat ants and beetles on the ground. Keep an eye out for these showy woodpeckers, especially when males become territorial in the spring!
Photo: Keshava Mysore, Bugwood.org

10/22/2026

What an absolutely perfect day for our fall picnic to celebrate a great year with our master gardener volunteers! Did you know our gardeners have harvested 1316 pounds of vegetables so far this year from the Hart's Brook demonstration garden, all for local food pantries? Many thanks to our amazing volunteers!

10/20/2026

The round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) is a freshwater invasive that, like many invasive fish, has an aggressive and outsized appetite! After hitching a ride to the great lakes on ships, this invasive fish has made its mark in the US by overfeeding, reproducing rapidly, spreading fish diseases, and can even impact water quality. Always be sure to clean, drain, and dry watercraft and other water equipment when traveling between bodies of water. If you catch a fish that you think may be a goby, don’t release it back into the water! Photograph and document the fish and where it was caught, contact the NYSDEC and your local PRISM, and make sure to freeze the fish until the ID has been confirmed. If confirmed, throw the fish in the trash.
Photo: Eric Engbretson, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bugwood.org

10/17/2026

As leaves start to change, our evergreen trees will start to pop, especially our beloved native hemlock trees! Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) are lovely evergreen native to Canada and the eastern US and is actually considered a keystone species, meaning it is a crucial part of eastern landscapes. It provides food and shelter for animals and helps to create and protect canopy layers in forests. It is also tolerant of many types of soils and light conditions. Despite battling invasive pests, this tree remains iconic in our east coast forests.
Photo: Rebekah D. Wallace, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

10/13/2026

This delicious pumpkin chili recipe is a great way get into the Halloween spirit and stay warm and cozy amid fall activities. Recipe and photo from Illinois Extension.

Ingredients:
1 lb. lean ground turkey
1 small white onion, washed and diced
3 teaspoons garlic, minced
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1(15 oz.) can pumpkin puree
1 (29 oz.) can tomato puree
1 (4.5 oz.) can green chilies
1 (15 oz.) low-sodium black beans, drained
1 (15 oz.) low sodium kidney beans, drained
1 cup skim milk
1 teaspoon dried parsley
2 Tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon oregano
2 teaspoons cumin

Directions:
Wash hands with soap and water.
Over medium heat, brown turkey, and cook until turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Drain excess fat.
Add olive oil and sauté garlic and onions until onions are translucent.
Add remaining ingredients. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add milk.
Serve with non-fat Greek yogurt or a dollop of hummus and whole wheat crackers.

10/10/2026

In observance of federal holidays, our office will be closed on Monday, October 12th, 2026. We will reopen at 9am on Tuesday, October 13th.

10/09/2026

Mile-a-Minute (Persicaria perfoliata) is a nasty vine you might have seen taking over plants in your yard or at parks. These annual vines form dense mats over other plants, that can block sun and cause harm to the plants they grow on. You might recognize the vines by their barbs or by their bright blue berries. While annual, seeds from these plants can overwinter, and are often spread by animals that may feed on berries. Pulling these vines by hand, early in the season before the soft barbs harden and become sharp, can be effective in your garden, but might not be in a large area. Manual removal can be a headache, but will be effective when repeated and combined with careful monitoring to prevent reintroduction!
Photo: Richard Gardner, Bugwood.org

10/05/2026

We’re excited to announce a new installation in our flower arranging workshop series! CCE Westchester is hosting a floral wreath making class on Saturday, November 7th from 10am to 12pm. This workshop will teach participants to make a 10” wreath that can be hung on a door or put on a table with a candle in the middle (candle provided) to use as a centerpiece. Use the wreath hoop and your newfound skills to make many more wreaths in the future! The cost of this program is $65 per participant. The sign-up link for this program can be found on our website, link in bio!

Address

3 West Main Street
Elmsford, NY
10523

Telephone

+19142854620

Website

https://linktr.ee/ccewc3wmain

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.