Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County

09/01/2026

09/01/2026

Just as we do on our Orleans County 4H Fair, Orleans County CCE Master Gardeners, Orleans County 4-H pages, we have a zero tolerance policy for profanity on this page. Comments containing profanity may be removed, and users who disregard this policy may be blocked.

Many of our followers are youth who participate in our programs, and we want this page to remain a welcoming and appropriate space for them, their families, our volunteers, and our community.

We care about and respect every opinion that is shared with us, and we are always willing to have a conversation. We simply ask that conversations remain respectful when speaking with our followers, volunteers, and staff.

Thank you for helping us keep this page respectful and welcoming for everyone.

Happy September! 🍂

08/30/2026

08/28/2026

We are currently seeking bids for a remodel of the Orleans County 4H Fair fairgrounds Trolley Building Bathrooms. The bid documents can be found at https://cornell.app.box.com/file/2424460674729?s=fnonhxjzic3542o1vsmg224qcf2dqrta&sb=/activity

If you are interested and would like to schedule a site visit please reach out.

08/27/2026

08/26/2026

Our grounds are a place for our community to learn, gather and make memories. Keeping them smoke and v**e free helps create cleaner air and safer shared spaces for everyone.

You cannot always tell who nearby may have asthma, a heart or lung condition, or another medical concern that can be affected by secondhand smoke or v**e aerosol. Our grounds also welcome children and teens, and maintaining a smoke and v**e free environment helps protect them from exposure while reinforcing healthy choices.

Thank you for helping us keep CCE Orleans safe, welcoming and enjoyable for all.

Learn more about secondhand smoke and v**e aerosol exposure in public spaces:

https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2019/18_0531.htm

08/26/2026

Due to required annual building maintenance, our office will be closed from 12PM to 4PM today. We will be working, so you can still reach out to us via phone or email! We apologize for any inconvenience!

08/24/2026

Have a plant, insect or garden mystery you cannot identify? Bring a sample or clear photos to the Orleans County CCE office! Our Master Gardener Volunteers can help determine what you are looking at and recommend next steps if any action is necessary.

One recent sample arrived covered in what looked like white fuzz or mold. A closer look revealed hundreds of woolly alder aphids clustered together!

The “wool” covering these tiny insects is actually a waxy substance that helps protect them from predators and repel water. Woolly alder aphids use their mouthparts to feed on plant sap and spend different parts of their life cycle on alder and silver maple trees. They may also produce a sticky substance called honeydew that can attract ants, bees, wasps and other insects.

Although a large colony can look alarming, woolly alder aphids generally cause little lasting damage to a healthy tree or shrub. They are usually more of an aesthetic concern, so treatment is rarely necessary. They also provide food for helpful garden predators such as lady beetles, lacewings and hover flies.

Watch the video closely to see the aphids moving beneath all that fluff! 👀

Learn more about woolly aphids:

https://uwm.edu/field-station/bug-of-the-week/woolly-alder-aphid/

https://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/woolly-aphids/