Ag in Cattaraugus County

News

Cattaraugus County 4-H Opens Enrollment for 2025-26 Program Year

Cattaraugus County 4-H Members pose with their awards following the 4-H/FFA Dairy Cattle Show at the 2025 Cattaraugus County Fair. (L-R Kaleb Durow, Caden Herman, Olivia Shawley, and Cattaraugus County Dairy Ambassador- Kierra Knobloch.)

October 1^st marked the beginning of the new program year for the Cattaraugus County 4-H Youth Development Program.

Cattaraugus County 4-H Member Excels at the World Dairy Expo

The NYS 4-H Dairy Judging Team poses with their awards at the World Dairy Expo (Left to Right: Hayden Ayers, Dayne Jantzi, Olivia Shawley, Larsen Swan, Coach Doug Waterman)

Cattaraugus County 4-H Member, Olivia Shawley traveled to Madison, Wisconsin to compete at the World Dairy Expo 4-H Judging Contest on Sunday, September 28, 2025.

Olivia was chosen to compete with the NYS 4-H Dairy Judging Team following an outstanding showing at the NYS Fair 4-H Dairy Judging Contest. Olivia joined forces with two individuals from Chautauqua County - Dayne Jantzi and Larsen Swan, and an individual from Wyoming County- Hayden Ayers. The team spent the days leading up to the contest traveling to Wisconsin and practicing their judging skills at local farms.

CCE Cornell Cooperative Extension to partner with two Cattaraugus County School Districts and two local farms for Pumpkin Smash 2025 - Open to the Public

Not sure what to do with that Halloween Jack-O-Lantern after your ghost or ghoul has had their fill of trick or treating? Tired of seeing (and smelling) a rotting pumpkin sitting on your front porch or lawn? Don’t trash it! Smash it!

Cornell Cooperative Extension Offers Home and Water Testing Services Through Lozier Environmental Consulting

Over the fall and winter months, water testing services will be moving from weekly to monthly pick-up. Water samples will now be processed on the FIRST Tuesday of each month effective Tuesday, October 7, 2025. Water samples will need to be at the CCE Office, 28 Parkside Drive, Ellicottville by 9 AM the FIRST Tuesday of the month for processing.

Water Testing Kits are available for pick up in the CCE Cattaraugus office during business hours (9:00am-4:30pm). Results are sent directly to the home/farm as soon as they are available.

Cattaraugus County 4-H Dairy Judging Team Members Take Top Honors at the State Fair

On Thursday, August 21^st, the Cattaraugus County 4-H Dairy Program sent 12 youth to the New York State Fair to take part in the 4-H Dairy Judging Contest.

Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cattaraugus County Health Department Offer Free Soil Testing at Back to School Bash

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Cattaraugus County, in partnership with the Cattaraugus County Health Department, will provide free soil testing services during the Connecting Communities in Action Back to School Bash on Thursday, August 21, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

2025 Cornell Pest Management Guide Now Available

Cornell Integrated Pest Management’s Pesticide Safety Education Program is pleased to announce the availability of the 2025 Cornell Pest Management Guide for Commercial Production and Maintenance of Trees and Shrubs.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Cattaraugus Offers Cornell Climate Stewards Training This Fall

Cornell Climate Stewards are Volunteers committed to addressing resiliency issues - Are you interested in helping your community adapt to our changing environment?

The Final 4-H Champions of the Cattaraugus County Fair

Thursday marked the completion of the 4-H shows at the Cattaraugus County Fair.

Wednesday rounded out the 4-H Horse Show after five days of competition. The 4-H/FFA & Open Sheep Shows also took place on Wednesday. On Thursday, fairgoers were able to catch the 4-H/FFA Beef Show and the Master Showman Contest. Even through the rain, the Champion Showman of eight different species battled it out in the showring to be named the Master Showman.

More Champions Are Named Following the Completion of Multiple 4-H Shows

Cattaraugus County 4-H Members continue to be highlighted through the various shows at the Cattaraugus County Fair.

Monday’s events consisted of the 4-H/FFA and Open Goat Shows and contests including Livestock and Dairy Judging among other things. The hot weather on Tuesday led to an exhausting day for many 4-H members as they competed in the 4-H/FFA Dairy Show and the 4-H/FFA and Open Rabbit Shows. The Horse Arena was also packed with events on Monday and Tuesday as youth competed in English, Western, and Gymkhana classes.