Winter Break Thursday, December 25, 2025 12:00 pm - 12:00 pm ========================================= New Year’s Day Hike at the Siuslaw Model Forest Thursday, January 1, 2026 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Siuslaw Model Forest, 6055 NYS Route 23 , Acra, NY 12405 Start the New Year off with a hike in the woods! Join our deputy director, Becky Polmateer, on a family friendly hike in the Siuslaw Model Forest. Enjoy the spectacular winter views of the Catskill Mountains. Please dress appropriately for the weather. Please make sure to register for the event ahead of time to ensure to be contacted if we need to cancel for inclement weather.Register for New years Day Hike Free Rebecca Polmateer, rp328@cornell.edu, (518) 622-9820 x117 ========================================= Winter 2026 Anger Management Series Tuesday, January 13, 2026 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Extension Education Center, 479 Route 66 , Hudson, New York 12534 The course is held every Tuesday for 8 consecutive weeks. Class is held in-person from 5:30 - 7 pm.Classes are scheduled to be held at our Hudson Educational Center, 479 NY-66, Hudson, NY 12534Cost: $70.00 for the entire 8-week seriesDates:Topics: Tuesday, January 13: Intro to Anger Management/Group guidelines Tuesday, January 20: Anger Survey and Progress Reports Tuesday, January 27: Anger’s Many Faces/The Power of Anger Tuesday, February 3: Defusing Anger by Managing Stress Tuesday, February 10: Handling Anger Effectively/Assertiveness Tuesday, February 17: Managing Conflict/Turn Your Anger into Forgiveness Tuesday, February 24: Changing your Thinking/Cognitive Distortions Tuesday, March 3: How Emotional Intelligence Impacts Anger/Certificates Tuesday, March 10: Make-up DayUpon completing 8 classes, a Certificate of Achievement is awarded.Register for Winter 2026 Anger Management Series $70.00 per person Megan Gardner, mg2287@cornell.edu, (518) 622-9820 ext. 114 ========================================= New And Beginning Farmer Seminar Saturday, January 17, 2026 9:30 am - 4:00 pm Agroforestry Resource Center (Business Office), 6055 Route 23 , Acra, New York 12405 Are you a new or beginner farmer just getting started? Join us for a series of presenters from CCE and different organizations, learn what resources are available, and how to get started. Topics include: Ag Climate Resiliency Program, Agroforestry Practices and Resources Available in the Region, Raising Backyard Chickens for Beginners, How to get Started in Beekeeping, Sustainable Soil Health Management: Cover Crops and Reudced Tillage, Growing Small Fruit, SARE Grant Programs and Resources. Includes lunch, handouts, and books provided by SARE.Register for New And Beginning Farmer Seminar $35 ========================================= 4-H Mindful Movement Thursday, January 22, 2026 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Extension Education Center, 479 Route 66 , Hudson, New York 12534 Please join us for a two-part series for youth to expand their knowledge on mindfulness with movement! This series is made possible by funding from the Columbia County Youth Bureau and is open to youth ages 5 and up. Parents/Guardians are welcome but not required to stay for the program. All youth must enroll in 4-H to participate. Due to the generous support of our sponsor, enrollment fees are waived for Columbia County Youth who are not already enrolled and would like to participate in 4-H Mindful Movement.The series will demonstrate age-appropriate ways to reduce stress, regulate emotions, and promote relaxation through techniques and activities involving body movements. The series will focus on different movements and body positions that help youth improve their balance, flexibility, and strength. Youth will be encouraged to participate in techniques such as yoga, walking meditation, visualizations, stretching and breathing exercises in a fun and creative way!Cost: All youth must enroll in 4-H to participate. Due to the generous support of our sponsor, enrollment fees are waived for Columbia County Youth who are not already enrolled and would like to participate in 4-H Mindful Movement.Registration deadline: January 20, 2026. Registration is required. To register please call 518-622-9820, ext. 102. Megan Gardner, mg2287@cornell.edu, (518) 622-9820 ext. 114 ========================================= 4-H Mindful Movement Thursday, January 29, 2026 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Extension Education Center, 479 Route 66 , Hudson, New York 12534 Please join us for a two-part series for youth to expand their knowledge on mindfulness with movement! This series is made possible by funding from the Columbia County Youth Bureau and is open to youth ages 5 and up. Parents/Guardians are welcome but not required to stay for the program. All youth must enroll in 4-H to participate. Due to the generous support of our sponsor, enrollment fees are waived for Columbia County Youth who are not already enrolled and would like to participate in 4-H Mindful Movement.The series will demonstrate age-appropriate ways to reduce stress, regulate emotions, and promote relaxation through techniques and activities involving body movements. The series will focus on different movements and body positions that help youth improve their balance, flexibility, and strength. Youth will be encouraged to participate in techniques such as yoga, walking meditation, visualizations, stretching and breathing exercises in a fun and creative way!Cost: All youth must enroll in 4-H to participate. Due to the generous support of our sponsor, enrollment fees are waived for Columbia County Youth who are not already enrolled and would like to participate in 4-H Mindful Movement.Registration deadline: January 20, 2026. Registration is required. To register please call 518-622-9820, ext. 102. Megan Gardner, mg2287@cornell.edu, (518) 622-9820 ext. 114 ========================================= Master Forest Owner – Become a Volunteer, Zoom Info Session Thursday, February 19, 2026 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Online Event Are you interested in enhancing your knowledge and becoming a Cornell Master Forest Owner (MFO) Volunteer? We are now accepting applications for our 2026 MFO Volunteer Training. Join us for a free info session on Zoom to learn what the MFO program is,what to expect for the training course, the in-person field day, volunteer MFO tasks, and what it really means to be volunteer MFO in the Catskills and Lower-Hudson region.Learn how to become a volunteer and make a difference by supporting informed decision making by visiting woodland owners on-site to share available resources based on your knowledge and experiences. Peer-to-peer visits encourage landowners to engage in woodland activities and work towards achieving their goals and improving forest management through best practices. There will be plenty of time for questions. Woodland owners and enthusiasts welcome!Register for Master Forest Owner – Become a Volunteer, Zoom Info Session Free Shane Stevens, ss3666@cornell.edu, 518-622-9820 ex 118 ========================================= Spring Emergence – Living with American Black Bears Saturday, March 7, 2026 10:00 am - 12:00 pm  Clearpool Model Forest, Carmel Campus , 33 Clearpool Rd , Carmel, NY 10512 Have you ever seen a black bear or witnessed the evidence they were nearby? Join us to learn the bare necessities of living responsibly with black bears roaming the neighborhood. Hear from a NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Wildlife Biologist about black bears lifestyle and habitat, while learning safety tips and best practices to coexist with bears while avoiding unwanted encounters at home or on the trail. Participants will have access to educational handouts provided by CCE, NYSDEC and BearWise! Stick around after the presentation for an optional short hike to look for wildlife enhancements and bear activity with CCE!Register for Spring Emergence – Living with American Black Bears $25 Shane Stevens, ss3666@cornell.edu, 518-622-9820 ex 118 ========================================= Maple Festival 2026 Sunday, March 8, 2026 10:00 am - 1:00 pm Agroforestry Resource Center (Business Office), 6055 Route 23 , Acra, New York 12405 Experience a taste of the sweet world of maple sugaring at CCE’s Agroforestry Resource Center. This event will provide participants with the opportunity to tour our own sugar shack, see a demonstration tree tapping, and taste fresh sap. Visit with Taste NY staff and local venders to purchase all things maple. A maple-inspired pancake breakfast may also be available during the event.Sign up for reminders and updates. Free Tracey Testo-Smith, tet35@cornell.edu, (518) 622-9820 ext.119 ========================================= Spring Gardening Day 2026 Saturday, March 28, 2026 8:00 am - 3:30 pm Hudson Junior High School, 215 Harry Howard Ave , Hudson, NY 12534 Spring Gardening Day is back! Join us for a full day of learning, inspiration, and community for gardeners of all levels.Admission: $45Event Highlights: Learn from Columbia-Greene Master Gardener Volunteers and staff across multiple workshop tracks, including gardening basics, garden maintenance, food and non-food gardening, and wildlife & habitatOpportunities to meet local vendors, explore plant and tool demos, and participate in raffles supporting Spring Gardening DayDelicious lunch and baked goods prepared by Master Gardener VolunteersNetworking and connection with fellow gardening enthusiastsClosing Keynote: Carolyn Summers of Flying Trillium will wrap up the day with a talk focused on native plants. Learn more about Carolyn SummersWorkshop Tracks (subject to change): Gardening Basics – Seed starting, composting, and planning your gardenGarden Maintenance & Management – Invasive plants, soil health, and pest identification & managementFood Gardening – Herbs, vegetables, and small-scale forest gardeningNon-Food Gardening – Plants for dyes and other uses, native trees & shrubs, and caring for perennialsWildlife & Habitat – Nuisance wildlife, attracting birds, and light pollution impactsWhether you’re just starting your garden or have years of experience, Spring Gardening Day has something for everyone. Come celebrate gardening, community, and the joy of growing things! $45 Xandra Powers, amp422@cornell.edu, 518-828-3346 x106 Registration: TBA =========================================