Across the country, over 22.1 million individuals are a part of the agricultural workforce, which amounts to nearly 11% of total U.S employment. This may seem small in scope, but the types of careers in agriculture are vast and include much more than the conventional sows, cows, and plows. At its...
News
The Value of 4-H Summer Camp!
Jefferson County is fortunate to host one of the remaining eight 4-H residential youth camps remaining in New York State! 4-H Camp Wabasso is owned and operated by Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Jefferson County. Celebrating 76 years of positive youth development experiences to...
How Inflation Threatens the Sustainability of Your Local Farms
It’s no secret that all of us are feeling the impact of seemingly never-ending rises in the pricing of basic resources. As commodity costs drive higher and higher, industries across the nation are experiencing the strain and stress of increased input prices. Agriculture is certainly no exception...
Afterschool Explorations
Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Jefferson County currently provides 19 4-H Afterschool Programs serving approximately 1,300 Jefferson and Lewis County youth annually. The programs are 100% grant funded, and for the ‘24-’25 academic school year results showed that 65% of students...
Why is non-local food more available than local farm products?
Consumers say they want increased access to local food, so why are local products still struggling to reach store shelves? It is not as easy for farmers to get their stuff in store as you may think and even for those that can surmount all the regulations, garnering sales against competition can...
Support for Breastfeeding Families
Feeding a new baby is one of the first decisions parents make, and it often comes with a lot of questions. Every family approaches feeding differently, and what works for one may not work for another. Having access to information and support can help families feel more confident as they figure out...
Specializations of Horticulture
I want to get involved in horticulture but am unsure where to start. According to the USDA, horticulture is defined as a branch of agriculture concerned with growing plants that are used by people for food, for medicinal purposes, and for aesthetic gratification. In this field, your choices are...