Grain growing on local farm.
We serve our local families, youth, communities, and businesses every day.

Our Impact

In 2025, we served 23,952 Ulster County residents, hosted 303 educational events, provided enriching programs to 2,848 children, and supported more than 4,500 volunteer service hours. These figures tell part of the story, but the real impact is found in the lives changed, skills gained, and connections built. Explore the stories below, then visit our events page to see our mission in action.

Grow Your Own Tomato Project

This summer the Master Gardener Volunteers provided 50 families with hands-on instruction and a take-home tomato growing kit through their work with two local food pantries: Rochester Food Pantry and Family of Ellenville. 

To prepare for this project, Master Gardener Volunteers teamed up with 4-H Teen Council members to grow and cultivate 75 tomato plants from seed to donate to the pantries. Through two separate workshops, Master Gardener Volunteers distributed these seedlings and taught participants how to keep their tomatoes thriving. 

By offering hands-on instruction, this project empowered families to grow fresh produce at home, proving that even a small porch or doorstep can become a source of healthy food.

Learn More About the Master Gardener Volunteer Program
Master Gardeners pose at food pantry.
"Programs like yours play such a critical role in building life skills, promoting wellness, and creating moments of connection for young people."
- Robert Molenia, Team Leader of Adolescent Services, Family of Woodstock
Staff help student try a beet

Uplifting Inspiring Caregivers

Sherry is a remarkable grandmother whose strength and compassion shine through every aspect of her life. At the age of 70, Sherry is the primary caregiver for her two young grandchildren, ages 7 and 10, who faced the tragic loss of their parents due to an overdose. 

In the face of this hardship, Sherry stepped forward, committing herself wholeheartedly to her family and her community. She dedicates her time to transporting individuals in recovery, advocates passionately for addiction treatment programs, and supports initiatives that provide care for unhoused people struggling with mental health and substance use. 

For more than eight years, Sherry has been an active member of RAPP where she has become a trusted source of kindness, wisdom, and encouragement for other kinship caregivers. Her resilience, generosity, and unwavering commitment to helping others make her an extraordinary role model and an inspiration to all who know her.

Learn More about the Relatives as Parents Program
RAPP kinship caregiver with her child.
Sherry looks lovingly at her child.

Learning to Persevere

"My name is Nina C. My dad takes care of beef cattle. My brother, Lorenzo started helping my dad on the farm. After a couple of years, he got into 4H and inspired me to do it. I was nervous to work with the big cows for a while. But I eventually overcame my fears and did it. 

I love my farm family and all the great things we do. This past year I decided to work with a new calf. We started halter breaking her and getting her ready for Fair, but she was just not ready. She really gave me a run for my money. After a few disappointing weeks I decided to work with my cow Delilah. She did not let me down. I brought her to Fair and I won 1st place in Showmanship. 

It was never about the ribbon or what place for me, but it was nice to know that even though we had bumps in the road I could still go out and do what I love and have fun while doing it."

Learn More About the 4-H Program
4-Her and her cow.
Nina poses with her cow.

Cultivating Local Farms

Cari and Jason started Heirloom Farm in 2015 with fruits, vegetables, 3 Icelandic sheep, 2 llamas, and 20 chickens. "We hadn’t raised livestock before and needed support. A farmer we knew pointed us toward CCE Ulster. Jason signed up for one of your programs on raising sheep, and that was a game changer for us."

Cari and Jason continued attending workshops on poultry, sheep and goat diseases, and managing floodplains. This year they hosted our FAMACHA training on assessing sheep and goat health. Now, they’re certified in using this valuable system to make decisions about treating and managing their herd.

"Access to hands-on-learning from CCE experts has been priceless to us."

As their knowledge has grown, so has their farm. Today they have 45 sheep and 400 chickens and sell produce, eggs, wool products and other handmade items. 

Farmer stands with her sheep.