Community Outreach Events

Great Outdoor Ag-venture Day – This is a new educational experience combining our previously known AG Extravaganza and Farm and Home Safety Day’s. This event is for fourth & fifth graders in Jefferson County and is held in October. The objective of the program is to help students and teachers learn about agriculture and natural resources in the North Country. Students will rotate through a series of hands-on stations throughout the day and interact with presenters to learn about topics such as dairy, honey and maple production, identifying wild edible plants, fishing, and more! The Great Outdoor Ag-venture Day is a team effort of individuals from CCE and the agricultural community. This will be held on October 15, 2025.

Student Government – is designed to give high school Juniors and Seniors hands-on experience with civic engagement and a greater understanding of county and state government. Students will meet their County Legislator and attend a county meeting, visit a variety of county departments, and hear from representatives of the US Senate, Congress, NYS Senate, and NYS Assembly, as well as local town and city representatives. Please contact Sabrina DeRue at sld95@cornell.edu for more information. The next Student Government program will be held in the Fall of 2025, dates to be determined.  

Fort Drum Outdoor Adventure Day – is an annual collaboration event between the 4-H Youth Development program at CCE Jefferson and Fort Drum Natural Resources Branch. There is no cost to this amazing day where together families explore the endless outdoor opportunities and nature that can be found in the North Country. There are approximately 40 stations where families can participate in hands-on activities or see demonstrations including forestry demonstrations, fishing and fish management, dog demonstrations, archery and air pistol shooting, outdoor cooking, and much more. Fort Drum Outdoor Adventure Day is on August 16, 2025! Learn more at https://fortdrum.isportsman.net/outdoor-adventure-day.aspx. 

Dairyland Festival and Parade – is an annual event held on the first Friday of June each year, because June is dairy month! The festival is from 9 am – 2 pm and is open for Pre-K and Elementary School students in Jefferson County, as well as the general public. With most children being several generations separated from the farming lifestyle, it is crucial that our youth experience one of Jefferson Counties major industries: agriculture! Attendees can sample local dairy products (cheese, cheese curd, milk, ice cream, yogurt), visit animal stations, see farm equipment/technology, milk a “cow” , interact with the dairy princess court, and play games! The Dairyland Festival and Parade is always the first Friday of June. The 2025 date is Friday, June 6th.  

4-H Livestock Auction – is an opportunity for youth of 4-H age to raise animals starting early in the year, and bring them to auction at the County Fair. Animals for 2021 include beef, sheep, goats and swine. For more information, please contact Abbey Jantzi at 315-788-8450 ext. 278 or aej48@cornell.edu. The 2025 4-H Livestock auction will be on July 19th. 

4-H Bicycle Safety program – The goal of this program is to provide youth with traffic safety education, alongside utilizing the National 4-H curriculum to demonstrate bicycle use, repairs and safety. If you would like to request programming or are interested in learning more please contact Amy Zukas at 315-788-8450 ext. 232 or asw247@cornell.edu.  

Last updated September 22, 2025