Cornell Co-op Marks 65 Years

The focus has changed since 1944 but the mission and commitment has remained the same for Putnam residents and businesses—enabling people to improve their lives and communities through partnerships with Cornell Cooperative Extension.

The agency is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year and according to Executive Director Marjorie Keith “our goal has never varied, since Cooperative Extension staff members continue to provide the county’s men, women, children, and business leaders with a direct link to the research and resources of Cornell University as well as to other land grant universities across the U.S.”

Extension’s history began in the late 1800s when a number of states designated a university as part of the land grant mission. Keith recalled that landgrant institutions received the benefits of the Morrill Act, which granted federally controlled land for each state to focus on the teaching of agriculture, science, and engineering: “Recognizing the value of work being accomplished by land-grant institutions, Congress passed the Smith-Lever Act in 1914 which resulted in a new era by supporting Cooperative Extension.” New York’s land grant mission was created in 1911 when it partnered with Cornell University.

In January, 1944, a group of Putnam County farmers meeting in Carmel formed the Putnam Farm Bureau and 4-H Club Association as part of the state land grant mission. Congress later amended the Smith-Lever Act, that specified the separation of extension activities from those of the Farm Bureau.

Keith said that since that time Putnam Cooperative Extension Services has continued to follow statewide initiatives by working in a “cooperative and coordinated effort with state, county, and local groups in delivering programs specifically designed to address local issues.”

During a visit to the Cooperative Extension office in Southeast last Friday, Program Coordinator Pat Madigan defined her agency’s role into three major categories—Increasing Community and Economic Vitality; Enhancing the Environment and Strengthening Youth and Families.

In the first category, programs exist that deal with leadership and human resources management, business management, business retention, and expansion, community collaboration, and community development.

In the area of the environment, Cornell Cooperative Extension is known for its horticulture hotline and diagnostic lab; its Master Gardener Volunteer program; commercial and residential horticulture, backyard composting and recycling; water quality and nonpoint source pollution programs; and integrated pest management.

When it comes to youth and families, Cornell Cooperative Extension stands tall, with its programs dealing with 4-H Youth Leadership Development; Career Exploration and Life Skills Development; community service opportunities; school and community programs; and parenting and family resources.

Keith noted that while, during the past 65 years, “Putnam’s landscape might have changed from rural and agricultural to suburban, our agency continues to provide services that benefit the lives of our residents, from the Putnam 4-H Youth Fair to funding partnerships enabling Cornell Cooperative Extension to continue making Putnam County a great place to live, work, and raise a family.”

Cornell Cooperative Extension can be reached by calling 278-6738 or by visiting the agency’s website at www. cce.cornell.edu/putnam.