Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County

09/03/2026

The September 2026 Building Healthy Habits Newsletter is here! 🎉

Check it out here: https://cceorangecounty.org/food-nutrition/building-healthy-habits-newsletters

09/03/2026

Looking for positive, practical parenting tools that actually work? Join us for this two-part workshop designed to help parents create nurturing, respectful, and collaborative home environments.

📅 Saturday, October 10, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📅 Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍CCE Orange County Office

In this workshop, we focus on the strengths you already have as a parent and build on them using five positive discipline principles that help children develop self-regulation — leading to greater cooperation and a more enjoyable family life.

💡 Topics Include:
• Understanding different parenting styles
• Why children behave the way they do
• Effective communication & conflict resolution
• Setting realistic limits with empathy
• Supporting your child’s social & emotional development
• Building healthy relationships that last a lifetime

💲 Fee: $40 per family
💛 Solidarity Pricing Available: $0 (if cost is a barrier)

Spots are limited — register today!
👉 https://bit.ly/3PwnqzY

09/03/2026

Open House on the Farm would not be possible without our amazing hosts Sprucegate Farm! Make sure to come out to Walden on September 26th for a great day of family fun, while also supporting local business!

📅 35th Annual Open House on the Farm - Sprucegate Farm
September 26th from 10 A.M - 3 P.M.

09/02/2026

💜 Caregivers: Planning for the road ahead starts today!

Join our friends from the Orange County Office for the Aging Caregiver Financial Planning Series for practical information and guidance designed to help caregivers prepare for a more secure financial future.

📅 Saturday, September 26 & Saturday, October 3
⏰ 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (SPANISH) & 12:30–2:30 p.m.
📍 Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County
18 Seward Avenue, Suite 300, Middletown, NY

The sessions will be presented by, New York Life Educator, Miguel Gordiano Garista.

Whether you're currently caring for a loved one or preparing for what may lie ahead, this series can help you better understand financial planning along your caregiving journey.

📞 Registration is required: 845-615-3700

Share this with a caregiver who could benefit from these resources! 💜

09/02/2026

PLEASE NOTE: We are extending the RSVP date until Tuesday, September 8th. If you would like to reserve your spot, visit https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E190538&id=941

We are a couple of weeks out from our 11th annual Bountiful Harvest Celebration & Cow-Milking Contest... We can't wait to see you at the Education Center & 4-H Park

OUR 2026 CELEBRITY COW MILKERS! 🐄🥛✨

- Heather Bell, President & CEO, Orange County Chamber of Commerce, NY
- Jeff Crist, Chairman, Orange County IDA
-Amanda Dana, Director of Tourism, Orange County Pick OCNY
- Conor Eckert, President & CEO, Orange County Partnership
- Steve Gross, Orange County Economic Development Director Orange County Government

Get ready for one of the most entertaining traditions of the Bountiful Harvest Celebration—the Celebrity Cow Milking Contest! This lively competition brings together well-known Orange County leaders for a fun, friendly challenge that also supports an important cause.

The Celebrity Cow Milking Contest will take place during the Bountiful Harvest Celebration on Friday, September 18, 2026, at the Education Center & 4-H Park in Otisville, NY. The evening features farm-fresh food, old-fashioned games, a live auction, themed raffle baskets, and plenty of good-natured fun—all to benefit the ongoing development of the Education Center & 4-H Park.

Each celebrity will step up to a real dairy cow to see who can fill their bucket with the most milk—cheered on by friends, families, and the community. But the contest isn’t just about skill and speed. Every contestant is also raising funds through their online “milk bucket.”

All donations support the development and continuation of Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County’s Education Center & 4-H Park—expanding hands-on learning opportunities for youth, families, and farmers across the region.

To donate to a cow milker, please click their link below! ✨
Heather Bell: https://bit.ly/3Oinl1Y
Jeff Crist: https://bit.ly/4mlod2G
Amanda Dana: https://bit.ly/4vkr9k6
Conor Eckert: https://bit.ly/4mjCRHD
Steve Gross: https://bit.ly/4c1aZoj

For more information about Bountiful Harvest and to reserve a spot, visit https://bit.ly/4mkiWYX

09/02/2026

🎭 Lights. Camera. CONFIDENCE! 🎭

Has your child ever wanted to step into the spotlight, try acting, create characters, or simply explore something totally new? 🌟

The 4-H Thrive on Stage Theater Program is a fun, welcoming opportunity for youth ages 8–12 to build confidence, creativity, and performance skills—all while having a great time! No experience is needed. 🎬✨

📅 14 bi-monthly Saturday sessions
🎭 Culminates in a spring performance
⏰ 10:00–11:30 A.M.
📍 CCE Orange County Office, Middletown
💙 $40 for 4-H members | $50 for non-4-H members
⚠️ Space is limited!

📩 Questions? Contact Leah Brown at [email protected] or 845-344-1234, ext. 225.

👉 Register today: https://bit.ly/4zpNBKE

Come find your confidence, discover your creativity, and THRIVE ON STAGE! 🌟🎭

09/02/2026

🎙️ This Week on Farm Talk with Elias Bloom! 🌱

Tune in live at Noon to hear from Dr. Steve Reiners a retired faculty member at the School of Integrative Plant Science, Horticulture Section, at Cornell AgriTech, as we discuss:

- How wildfire smoke, extreme heat and rainfall impacts veggies
-Pumpkin seasoning projects and summer camp
Pumpkin season
- What's Blooming with Dr. Bloom
And More!

Listen live at WTBQ Radio:
https://wtbq.com/ or broadcasting on AM 1110 or FM 93.5

09/01/2026

CCE Orange County & Youth Programs - Orange County 4-H would like to congratulate Hannah and Silas who participated in the NYS 4-H Dairy Challenge & Livestock Skill-a-thon at the New York State Fair!

Dairy Challenge: Silas got 10th place in the NY State 4-H Junior Dairy Challenge, and Hannah got 6th place in the NYS 4-H Senior Dairy Challenge at the NYS Fair.

Livestock Skill-a-thon: 7th place for Silas and Hannah was 5th place team and Hannah was 1st place individual and Hannah selected for national team.

Congratulations to both Silas and Hannah on their hard work, dedication, and outstanding achievements! Thank you for representing Orange County!

09/01/2026

💙 Strengthening Families Program: Learn, Connect & Grow Together!

Join us for a fun and engaging 3-part family series designed for parents, caregivers, and youth ages 10–14. Families will enjoy a meal, interactive activities, and meaningful conversations while building stronger relationships.

Together, families will learn how to:
✨ Communicate more effectively
✨ Navigate the challenges of the teen years
✨ Solve problems as a team
✨ Support healthy decision-making
✨ Connect, have fun, and strengthen family bonds

📅 Saturdays, November 7, 14 & 21
⏰ 1:00–5:00 PM
📍 Middletown Parks & Recreation
393 County Rd 78, Middletown, NY 10940

👨‍👩‍👧 Space is limited to 10 families!
🧸 Free childcare is available for children ages 3–9.

👉 Register: https://bit.ly/46zbNgh

Questions or need assistance? Contact Chloe at 845-344-1234 or [email protected].

09/01/2026

The Relatives as parents program (RAPP) celebrates kinship families year-round, and we are inviting you to join us for the Month of September as we highlight the beauty of kinship families, their strengths, and some of the challenges they face.

September is National Kinship Care Month! 🎉 Help us honor the grandparents, other relatives, and close family friends stepping up to raise children whose parents cannot.