Farms, Food, & Family in
2018
Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County USPS-525-100
EXTENSION CONNECTION
VOLUME XC No. 1
JANUARY 2019
Annual Report Sneak Peek! Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County rings in the new year with this sneak peek of our 2018 Annual Report to the Community celebrating what we love most about Sullivan County: Farms, Food, & Family. Explore snapshots below of stories from our report, to come in lieu of February’s Extension Connection magazine. Check in with Executive Director Colleen Monaghan on the back page and tack up the inner program calendarat-a-glance for the next few months. Our goal is to be your gateway to knowledge, life skills and experiences for better living. We exist as an outreach mechanism of Cornell University, putting knowledge to work at the grassroots level. Make the Extension Education Center your home away from home this year; take advantage of science-based resources and friendly, technical assistance - just a call (or click) away. Look for a free class card on the back cover of next month’s Annual Report, your start to lifelong learning!
Farms F
Food F
Familyy
Opportunities for Dairy Farms
Growing New Food Businesses
4-H True Leaders in Service
In collaboration with dairy farms and partners like Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation (HVADC), Sullivan County Funding Corporation (SCFC), Agricultural and Community Development Services LLC, Sullivan County Government, and Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther’s office, CCE is working on new opportunities for the dairy industry in Sullivan County. The process includes developing a feasibility study and business plan for value-added niche dairy products.
Ten users produced sauces, baked goods, and prepared foods in the Catskills Kitchen Food Business Incubator Program, Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County’s state-ofthe-art commercial kitchen facility. New this year, we now have a food truck renting the space. CCE provided technical assistance through in person consultations, email, and phone calls regarding regulations, food business start-ups, labeling, marketing, and business planning to over 800 people!
This year, 72 individuals and four 4-H clubs representing an additional 46 youth, turned in over 420 records of service for the 2017-2018 program year. The record submissions illustrate a wide range of youth service experiences from litter plucks and community beautification to hands-on intergenerational activities. One specific project involved a 4-H club which planned and implemented the “Live, Love, Serve: 4-H 5K” race in Sullivan County, a first of its kind, which will raise money annually for a scholarship fund.