November 2025

NYS Agritourism Conference 2025

November 10-11, 2025

Saratoga Springs City Center, Saratoga Springs, NY

The first-ever New York State Agritourism Conference, hosted by the CCE Agritourism Program Work Team, is designed to support farms in growing successful visitor experiences. This statewide gathering will feature expert-led sessions, peer networking, and practical tools to help farms expand direct sales, education, hospitality, and entertainment offerings.

Register Here by November 5th!

🎃 What to Do with Your Pumpkins After Halloween: Keep Them Out of the Landfill

After the trick-or-treaters have gone home and the jack-o’-lanterns start to slump, it’s easy to toss those pumpkins in the trash but there are much better ways to give them new life! Each fall, millions of pumpkins end up in landfills, where they decompose and produce methane gas, a potent contributor to climate change. With just a little creativity, your Halloween pumpkins can be repurposed in ways that benefit your garden, local wildlife, and the planet.

• Compost Them: If you have a compost bin, your pumpkin can easily join the mix. Remove candles, paint, glitter, and stickers. Chop the pumpkin into smaller pieces to help it break down faster. Pumpkins are rich in moisture and nutrients which makes them perfect for turning into healthy compost that can enrich your soil next spring.

•  Feed Wildlife (Safely): Squirrels, deer, birds, and even chickens love pumpkins! If you place clean, natural pumpkin pieces in your yard or garden, you’ll offer a nutritious seasonal snack for wildlife. Avoid using pumpkins that were painted or have wax inside as these can be harmful to animals.

• Turn It Into Garden Mulch: You can bury pumpkin chunks directly into your garden soil. They’ll break down naturally, adding organic matter and nutrients that improve soil structure. Cover them with leaves or mulch to keep critters from digging them up too soon.

• Make Pumpkin Puree or Snacks: If your pumpkins weren’t carved, you can cook and eat them! Roast and puree the flesh for soups, pies, muffins, or dog treats. Homemade roasted pumpkin seeds are a crunchy and healthy fall favorite.

•  Donate to a Local Farm or Sanctuary: Many farmers welcome pumpkins as feed for pigs, goats, and chickens. Contact a local farm, 4-H club, or animal sanctuary before dropping them off. It is a great way to keep pumpkins out of the trash while supporting local agriculture.

• Host a “Pumpkin Smash” Event: Some communities hold “pumpkin smash” recycling events where families can bring their pumpkins to be composted together. It’s fun, messy, and eco-friendly. It is a wonderful way to teach kids about waste reduction.

♻️ Small Steps, Big Impact: By choosing one of these options, you’ll help reduce food waste, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and give your pumpkin a second purpose. Let’s keep those orange beauties out of the landfill and put their nutrients back into the earth where they belong!