Strengthening Local Agriculture and Community Partnerships — Commissioner Ball Visits CCE Suffolk | | |
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County was honored to welcome New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball to our Riverhead offices.
Commissioner Ball’s visit provided an invaluable opportunity to share updates, exchange ideas, and discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping Suffolk County’s agriculture, marine, and community education programs. His willingness to listen and engage in open dialogue with staff reflects his strong commitment to supporting the industries and communities that sustain our region.
During his visit, Commissioner Ball met with members of our Community Education and Marine Program teams to learn more about ongoing initiatives and future plans. The Community Education team highlighted the impact of SNAP-Ed and other nutrition programs that help Suffolk residents make informed, healthy eating choices. The Marine team presented updates on the Long Island Seafood Processing Feasibility Study, emphasizing the importance of investing in local seafood infrastructure and expanding consumer awareness of Long Island’s seafood resources.

Commissioner Ball’s visit reaffirmed the shared mission between CCE Suffolk and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets—to strengthen local food systems, support producers, and enhance community well-being across the county.
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Suffolk County Farm Team Presents at the Legislature
Representatives from Cornell Cooperative Extension Suffolk County Farm presented before the Suffolk County Legislature, highlighting the many educational programs and community resources offered at the Farm.
From hands-on learning experiences for children to agricultural education and sustainability initiatives, the Suffolk County Farm continues to serve as a vital hub for learning, growth, and community connection. Through programs that inspire curiosity, foster environmental stewardship, and support local agriculture, the Farm remains a cornerstone of CCE Suffolk’s mission to educate and engage residents across the county.
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CCE Suffolk’s Local Fish Program Presents Before the Legislature
The Local Fish Program presented before the Suffolk County Legislature’s Health Committee, highlighting the many benefits of consuming local, fresh-caught seafood and the vital role our fisheries play in supporting community health and the local economy.
From providing science-based education and seafood safety resources to promoting sustainable fishing practices, our program remains dedicated to strengthening Long Island’s fishing industry and helping residents make healthy, local choices.
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CCE Suffolk’s Mission and Leadership Spotlighted on The Charity Charge Show
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County’s Executive Director, Vanessa Pino Lockel, was recently featured on The Charity Charge Show podcast, where she shared insights about CCE Suffolk’s mission, community impact, and her approach to leadership.
During the interview, Vanessa spoke about the organization’s century-long commitment to empowering Suffolk County residents through education, sustainability, and innovation. She highlighted how CCE’s programs in agriculture, marine science, community education, energy, and 4-H youth development work together to build stronger, healthier communities across Long Island.
Watch the full interview on YouTube to hear Vanessa’s inspiring conversation about the power of education, community partnerships, and the vital role CCE Suffolk plays in shaping a sustainable future.
| | Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Across New York and 
Suffolk County | | |
Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County (CCE Suffolk) proudly joined statewide and local celebrations honoring the culture, leadership, and contributions of the Hispanic community.
Executive Director Vanessa Pino Lockel and Public Affairs Liaison Liz Gutiérrez represented CCE Suffolk at the Governor’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration in Manhattan, where leaders from across New York gathered to recognize the achievements of Hispanic New Yorkers.
Locally, Legislator Sammy Gonzalez hosted a community celebration at the Brentwood Public Library, honoring residents and organizations whose service continues to uplift Suffolk’s Hispanic community.
CCE Suffolk also joined En Vivo Radio’s Hispanic Heritage event, connecting with listeners, celebrating Latino culture, and sharing the many educational and community programs available across the county.
To close out the month, CCE Suffolk joined RGNY Winery for its DĂa de los Muertos celebration, which featured marigolds from the local Ocean Fog Farm. The event beautifully honored tradition through art, music, and food—celebrating Latino heritage while strengthening community connections across Long Island’s East End.
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Welcome Center is now open!
Exciting news! We’re thrilled to announce the soft opening of our new Welcome Center at the Suffolk Bounty Farm!
This beautiful new space will serve as a hub for visitors to learn, explore, and connect with all that Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County has to offer.
Stay tuned for our official ribbon cutting this spring — we can’t wait to celebrate with our community!
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A Spooktacular Halloween at the Suffolk County Farm
Over 1,500 visitors joined us at the Suffolk County Farm last week for a fun and festive Halloween celebration! Families enjoyed hayrides, treats, costumes, and fall activities all around the farm. A big thank-you to everyone who came out to make the day such a spooktacular success filled with laughter, community spirit, and seasonal fun.
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National Grid Volunteers Give Back at the Suffolk County Farm
We’re so grateful to National Grid for including the Suffolk County Farm in their Week of Service! Their incredible team dedicated a full day to giving back—painting, cleaning, and helping us make the farm shine for the thousands of visitors who come to learn, explore, and connect with agriculture each year. Thank you to everyone at National Grid for your hard work, teamwork, and commitment to community service. Your efforts truly make a difference!
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CCE Suffolk Welcomes Paws of War to the Suffolk County Farm
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County was proud to welcome Paws of War for a special tour of the Suffolk County Farm. Paws of War provides life-changing services by pairing rescued animals with veterans and first responders, offering companionship, emotional support, and therapeutic healing. During the visit, both organizations explored opportunities for collaboration through CCE Suffolk’s educational, agricultural, and wellness programs—which can provide meaningful benefits to those who have served our country.
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Celebrating National Coming Out Day at the Suffolk County Farm
In recognition of National Coming Out Day, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County joined the celebration at the Suffolk County Farm & Education Center, promoting respect, inclusion, and understanding for all members of our community. Staff and visitors came together to celebrate diversity and share valuable resources supporting LGBTQ+ youth and families. The event reflected CCE Suffolk’s ongoing commitment to fostering safe, welcoming spaces where everyone feels seen, respected, and empowered to be themselves.
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Tractor Supply’s Paper Clover Campaign Supports
Suffolk County Youth
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County (CCE Suffolk) is proud to partner once again with Tractor Supply Company through their national Paper Clover Campaign, supporting 4-H youth programs across the country.
During this campaign, customers can purchase a $1 Paper Clover at any Tractor Supply store to help fund local 4-H scholarships, leadership programs, and hands-on learning experiences for young people right here in Suffolk County. This program was organized in partnership with Stony Brook Hospital.
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Race to Cure Pancreatic Cancer
Join us at the Suffolk County Farm & Education Center for Estella’s Memorial 5K Race to Cure Pancreatic Cancer, in collaboration with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County.
Walk, run, or cheer as we honor the memory of Estella Clasen and raise funds for the Lustgarten Foundation, supporting groundbreaking research and hope for a cure.
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, often diagnosed in its later stages due to subtle early symptoms. Events like this help raise awareness, fund critical research, and bring our community together in the fight to improve early detection and treatment.
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Strengthening Local Agriculture Through the Riverhead Regional Food Hub
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County joined New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball and the East End Food Institute to celebrate progress on the new Riverhead Regional Food Hub, funded through a $5 million grant from the Regional School Food Infrastructure Program.
This milestone project represents a major investment in Long Island’s farming community, creating new opportunities for farmers to distribute their products locally and connect directly with schools, institutions, and consumers across the region.
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Cornell colleagues from upstate NY joinced our CCE Ag team and visited the East End to install two brand new weather stations in local vineyards. Funded by the NY Wine & Grape Foundation, these stations are connected to Cornell's NEWA network - Network for Environment and Weather Applications.
This site, www.newa.cornell.edu, hosts current and historical regional weather data as well as disease and insect prediction programs. These tools help fruit, vegetable, field crops and ornamental growers anticipate challenges and make informed management decisions. Photo credits: Amanda Gardner, CCE-Suffolk
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115 landscape professionals from Suffolk County and beyond gathered for the October 22 Living Landscapes Conference at beautiful Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park. This continuing education conference explores the beauty of designed landscapes while emphasizing their ecological role.
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“Help Us Harvest” Showcases the Spirit of Long Island Winemaking
RGNY, in collaboration with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, hosted the “Help Us Harvest” event — giving guests a hands-on look at the craft and care behind Long Island winemaking.
From picking grapes to learning about the science and sustainability of viticulture, participants gained a deeper appreciation for our region’s agricultural heritage. CCE Suffolk’s Public Affairs Director, August Ruckdeschel, shared insights on how research continues to strengthen Long Island’s thriving wine industry.
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Celebrating Long Island’s Wine Industry at the Greenway 5K
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County proudly sponsored and participated in the Greenway 5K, hosted by Long Island Wine Country. Team CCE joined runners and wine enthusiasts for a scenic race through the vineyards of the East End, celebrating not only health and community but also the vibrant wine industry that has become a cornerstone of Suffolk County’s agricultural economy. Our Executive Director placed 1st in her age group. Congratulations, Vanessa, for leading by example and reminding us of the importance of health and exercise!
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CCE Suffolk Joins Veterans and Military Resource Fair
Earlier this week, our Community Education team participated in the Town of Brookhaven’s Veterans and Military Resource Fair, connecting with service members, veterans, and their families.
CCE Suffolk was proud to share valuable information on nutrition, diabetes prevention, and other health education programs that promote wellness and healthy living for our community. The event also brought together numerous local organizations offering vital resources in mental health and social services.
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A Day of Wellness in Amityville
Our Diabetes and Nutrition Team partnered with Sun River Health, NYS of Health, and community organizations at the Amityville Fire Department for a day focused on wellness and prevention.

Participants received free diabetes screenings, learned nutrition and diabetes management tips, and enjoyed a warm serving of our healthy vegetable chili — the perfect comfort food for fall!
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CCE Suffolk Community Educators Attend Suffolk County Maternal Mortality Listening Session
This month, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County’s Community Education team participated in the Suffolk County Maternal Mortality Listening Session, a vital community conversation focused on improving maternal health outcomes and addressing disparities in care.
The session brought together health professionals, educators, and community advocates to share insights and experiences that can help shape future programs and policies supporting
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You can support our program by creating a Walmart account or link an already existing account to participate in round ups.
How to get started:
-Visit this link: www.walmart.com/sparkgood
- Search Cornell to find us (Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County)
-Sign in/Create an account to select our recipient and round up. Go on with your shopping!
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Canning Season in Full Swing!
Here are a few photos from this month’s food preservation workshops, where participants learned to can tomatoes, apple pie filling, and autumn compote — delicious ways to enjoy the flavors of the season year-round! Canning is one of the simplest and most rewarding ways to reduce food waste and preserve local harvests. Participants discovered how to safely seal and store fruits and vegetables, ensuring their freshness and nutrition last through the winter months.
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Supporting Our Veterans with Energy Resources
Our Energy Team visited the Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center to participate in the Caregiver Support Resource Fair.

Veterans had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with an Energy Advisor to learn about available energy assistance programs and cost-saving resources for their homes.
It was a pleasure to connect with and support our veterans — providing practical tools to help them save energy, reduce costs, and live more sustainably.
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Energy Team Engages Families at Touch-A-Truck Event
Our Energy Team joined the fun at the Touch-A-Truck event at the Brentwood Public Library, where families had the chance to explore utility vehicles up close and learn about the people and tools that keep our communities running efficiently.
Beyond the excitement of climbing aboard trucks and equipment, the event offered a great opportunity to educate residents about energy conservation and sustainability.
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State Announces $1.2 Million to Strengthen Long Island’s Aquaculture Industry
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball visited New Suffolk to announce $1.2 million in new funding to support Long Island’s aquaculture industry—with a second round of $3 million for infrastructure improvements expected in the near future.
Among the 17 aquaculture businesses receiving funding is Hamptons Oyster Company, co-owned by marine engineer and CCE Suffolk collaborator Joe Finora, who is helping to revive the region’s historic shellfish industry through innovation and sustainable practices.
Commissioner Ball also recognized Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County’s Marine Program for its ongoing leadership in marine research, workforce training, and aquaculture development—key efforts that continue to strengthen Long Island’s coastal economy and support the future of our marine industries.
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Restoring Long Island’s Coastal Habitats — One Marsh at a Time
The Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program returned to the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium shoreline in Centerport this month for the latest phase of our marsh restoration project!
Building on work conducted over the last several years, our team, volunteers, and community partners, planted over 600 1-gallon pots of native cordgrass, all grown from locally collected seeds at our Southold hatchery.

This ongoing initiative continues to strengthen and restore our vital coastal habitats.
A special thank-you to Legislator Stephanie Bontempi and her staff for joining us and supporting this important community effort!
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Chris Pickerell, Lorne Brousseau and members of the shellfish hatchery teams from Southold and Huntington attended the first annual Oyster Jam at Rockin’ Fish in Northport sponsored by the 1653 Foundation and Huntington Rotary in support of the Huntington/Northport Oyster Reef Project. The event included oysters from three different local oyster farms in collaboration with the LIOGA was attended by Town, County and State Officials who represent the area.
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Fundraiser to Benefit Spat
Join us for an afternoon of shellfish and community - a laid back, open-house style affair with the HOC, serving only the freshest, local oysters and clams, all you can eat, prepared several different ways.

PBV will serve perfectly paired pours of their renowned wines. This event is a celebration of our program's success in 2025 – an afternoon of relaxation, reflection, and a recharge for 2026. Tickets are $125 pp and are limited.
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Raise Shell in Greenport Village!
Although the beloved Shellabration festival is taking a break this year, the Greenport business community is keeping the spirit alive with “Raise Shell” — a new celebration of our local seafood heritage and community!
Hosted by the Hold Fast Fund, this fundraiser will benefit the SPAT (Suffolk Project in Aquaculture Training) oyster education program.
Tickets: $75 donation includes unlimited oysters in the new Oyster Hall and special offers throughout the Village.
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Thank You to Our “Clambassadors”!
Thanks a million to our incredible “Clambassadors” who joined the CCE Marine Program for our recent clam planting fundraiser — a perfect example of citizen stewardship in action!
On a beautiful Saturday afternoon, volunteers helped seed 130,000 baby clams in Dam Pond as part of our ongoing resource enhancement efforts. These small but mighty clams will play a big role in improving water quality, supporting biodiversity, and maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem on Long Island.
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Sea Explorers Babylon Wraps Up a Successful Field Trip Season!
It’s been a busy and exciting month at Sea Explorers Marine Camp in Babylon, where we officially wrapped up field trip season!
This fall, our team welcomed more than 630 students from schools across Long Island — including East Meadow High School, Farmingdale State University (Ichthyology), Cherry Avenue Elementary (Sayville), St. John the Baptist High School, Kennedy High School (Bellmore), Wilson Elementary (Rockville Centre), Oquenock Elementary, and Paul J. Bellew Elementary (West Islip).
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CCE Suffolk Joins MOCA L.I.ghts in Patchogue
This month, members of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County’s Energy, Sea Explore's Marine Camp and the CCE Marine Program teams participated in the MOCA L.I.ghts event in Patchogue — a vibrant community arts celebration that transforms the village into an outdoor gallery of light, color, and creativity.

CCE Suffolk staff connected with visitors to share information on clean energy programs, marine conservation, and local sustainability initiatives, inspiring residents to take part in protecting our environment and coastal communities.
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Board Member Spotlight:
Leslie Merinoff Kwasnieski
Founder, Matchbook Distilling Co. | Greenport, NY
A true innovator in craft distilling, Leslie Merinoff Kwasnieski has redefined what it means to create spirits with purpose and imagination. Since co-founding Matchbook Distilling Co. in 2016, Leslie and her team have crafted some of the most unique and locally inspired spirits on Long Island — from smoked pineapple distillates to aperitifs made from fermented New York peaches.
Driven by a deep respect for local agriculture, biodiversity, and craftsmanship, Leslie transforms seasonal ingredients from Long Island farms into one-of-a-kind creations that celebrate the region’s natural bounty. Her approach combines science, sustainability, and artistry, capturing the essence of the North Fork in every bottle.
CCE Suffolk is proud to have Leslie on our Board of Directors — a creative force who embodies the spirit of innovation and community that defines Long Island’s agricultural and artisan legacy.
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Classic and satisfying Turkey Chili. You can use ground turkey, ground chicken, or lean ground beef. Enjoy!
Ingredients
nonstick cooking spray
1 pound lean ground turkey
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes
2 (15-ounce) cans kidney or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 package chili seasoning
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
Directions
Spray a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat.
Brown ground turkey until no longer pink; drain excess fat.
Add onion and bell pepper and cook for 5 minutes.
Add remaining ingredients. Cover and cook for 20 minutes over low to medium heat. Serve while hot.
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