We are Cornell Cooperative Extension.
At CCE Jefferson County we pride ourselves in being able to offer something for just about everybody—including information about agriculture, gardening, home, energy, nutrition, parenting, teen issues, opportunities for young people, as well as programs to enhance the lives of our military families. We serve thousands of people every year through school and community programs, publications, new technologies, facilitated discussion groups, mass media, and other means. We help people use knowledge to enhance their own lives, as well as the lives of their families and communities.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County is a subordinate governmental agency with an educational mission that operates under a form of organization and administration approved by Cornell University as agent for the State of New York. It is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Association is part of the National Cooperative Extension System, an educational partnership between County, State, and Federal governments. As New York’s land grant university Cornell administers the system in this state. Each Cornell Cooperative Extension Association is an independent employer that is governed by an elected Board of Directors with general oversight from Cornell. All Associations work to meet the needs of the counties in which they are located as well as state and national goals.
We are located at 203 North Hamilton Street in Watertown, with additional offices at Fort Drum, the Taste NY store in the North Country Welcome Center, and 4-H Camp Wabasso. We also have staff in afterschool programs at 18 schools throughout Jefferson and Lewis Counties. Our staff of about 120, with a seasonal staff of about 20 at 4-H Camp Wabasso, provide residents of Jefferson County with a broad variety of practical information that is useful to people in their everyday lives.
Board Information
At CCE Jefferson County, we believe people support the decisions they help make. Our locally elected Board of Directors and active program committees ensure community voices guide our work. The 13-member Board includes 12 elected volunteers, one appointee from the Jefferson County Legislature, and a non-voting representative from Cornell University, representing communities across the county. The board sets policy, prioritizes programs, and works closely with staff to ensure effectiveness.
Program committees for each issue area help shape workshops, classes, and services, reviewing their impact and evolving programs to meet changing community needs. We are proud of our active, diverse boards and committees, which are essential to achieving meaningful community impact. If you’d like to contribute your ideas or volunteer, we welcome your involvement!
2026 Board Officers:
Steve Winkler, President, Livestock Producer, Lucki7 Livestock
John Peck, Vice President, Owner/Operator, Homestead Farms; Supervisor for Town of Champion
Tracy Leonard, Secretary, Chief Strategy Office, Thrive NNY
Kate Eves, Treasurer, Loan Officer, Farm Credit East, ACA
Directors:
Jane Collins, Retired
Ben Cruz, Next Move NY Program Administrator, DANC
Nick Dnistrian, Plant Manager, Great Lakes Cheese
Bobby Ferris, Jefferson County Legislator
Kyle Hafemann, Owner/Operator, Otter Creek Winery
Joey Marie Horton, CEO, North Country Family Health System
Rafferty Kellogg, Attorney, Kellogg & Kellogg LLP
Jon Northrop, Owner/Operator, Northrop Farms
Anne Robinson, Retired, Samaritan Medical Center
Extension Representative:
Paul O'Connor
- Thursday, January 15, 2026, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
- Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
- Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
- Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
- Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
- Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
- Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
- Wednesday, November 18, 2026, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
- Wednesday, December 16, 2026, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Check out our 2025 Annual Impact Report
Donate
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County is funded by a variety of sources, including county, state, and federal allocations; competitive grants; contracts for services; fees for services; and contributions from businesses and community members.
The contributions we receive are used for such purposes as scholarships for children with financial need to attend 4-H Camp Wabasso, program enhancements at 4-H Camp Wabasso, and for special program support not otherwise available from our more restrictive funding sources.
Citizen support, through contributions of time and money, are vital to the operation of Extension. If you would like to contribute time as a volunteer, click on the Volunteer link above for more information. If you wish to make a cash donation, please be assured that it will be very appreciated and carefully utilized.
Checks may be sent to:
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County
203 North Hamilton St.
Watertown, New York 13601
You are also able to contribute to Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Jefferson County by using our online payment system. Please carefully follow the instructions while making your payment online, and a digital receipt will be sent to you.
If you have any questions about donating to Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Jefferson County, please contact Executive Director Amanda Root at 315-788-8450 or by email at arr27 [at] cornell.edu (arr27[at]cornell[dot]edu).