100 YEARS AND GROWING
Cooperative Extension marks Rensselaer County centennial
TROY, N.Y. » Growing the Next Century sets the tone for the next 100 years as Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County embarks on its centennial celebration.
The local Cooperative Extension is part of a national education program designed to use research-based knowledge to improve the community and its quality of life. Originally established following the Civil War to address a food shortage by educating farmers, today’s Cooperative Extension enhances the community in many ways, said Rensselaer County Executive Director Bernadine Wiesen. Specialized programs provide free lead inspections, nutrition and food preparation education and counseling, while the group also sponsors digital technology training and supports the Master Gardener program and youth development through 4-H, as well as offering 21st century agricultural support.
“We are really spreading ourselves across the community to meet the community’s needs,” she said. “Our volunteers set the direction. They hold the reins as to what issues they see will enhance the quality of life in our community.”
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County has four primary service areas:
• Family and Consumer Sciences activities include the healthy homes and nutrition programs
• Horticulture and agriculture programs include residential resources and soil testing and support for the Master Gardener program, ag literacy and programming that helps farmers to compete in a global economy
• The Digital Literacy Program partners with local li-
braries to provide Rensselaer County residents with computer, social media and programming training.
• The 4- H Youth Development program is perhaps one of the best known facets of Cooperative Extension, with local and county-wide clubs, afterschool opportunities and connection
to statewide and national activities.
“This is a really exciting time,” said board President Don Maurer. “We were founded 100 years ago to provide education to the community with sciencebased knowledge… Today, we are the only ones who are teaching kids robotics and flying drones. We’ve been helping farmers develop crops for 100 years, and today, we help with niche marketing and small farm development. You can live on a farm or you can live in an apartment and we will still have something to offer you.”
Retired Executive Director Joanne Tarbox is the embodiment of extension programs. She credits childhood involvement in 4-H with providing the skills that helped her not only run the organization, but also to become a community leader and run a successful business.
“I joined the teen exchange and got experience traveling,” said Tarbox. “I learned public speaking and to not be frightened by strangers.”
She was selected as one of four delegates to attend a conference in Washington, and, as a young woman, she alsoi chaperoned a 4-H delegation to an event in the Poconos and met the man who four months later would become her husband.
Today, at age 86, she continues to run a coun- try store next to the family’s dairy farm on Route 7, a second career that began after her retirement.
As Rensselaer County Cornell Cooperative Extension embraces the next century, the organization is also addressing some modern- day challenges, Wiesen said. Like many organizations, two of the biggest challenges are communication and a dwindling volunteer base.
“We are very focused on meeting the needs of our community and encourage people to get to know us,” Wiesen said. “We have something to offer to anybody, no matter their stage in life.”
According to Maurer, within the next 18 months, the organization will be managing a Taste of NY Store with county farm products at a former rest stop on Interstate 90, making Rensselaer County only the third to host such a facility.
“The thing that is truly amazing is the staff,” he said. “For these folks, it’s not a job, it’s a calling. It’s run by staff and many terrific volunteers.”
A centennial kickoff celebration will be held from 3 to 6 p. m. Friday at the Brunswick Community Center, 18 Keyes Lane. Activities will include a petting zoo, interactive programs, drones and refreshments provided by the Farmers Feed Bunk.
Reservations are recommended, but not required, by calling 518-272- 4210 or emailing mmp74@cornell.edu.