CCEDC assesses its 2023 impact in Dutchess County

MILLBROOK —  Over 100 people attended the 110th annual meeting of Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County (CCEDC) at its Home and Farm Center Thursday, Nov. 16.

A collaboration of Cornell University, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the state of New York since 1913, CCEDC combines research, teaching, and outreach to address local issues including nutrition and health issues, community and financial development, and energy efficiency.

Recent years have brought about forums on protection from ticks, Lyme disease and other modern catastrophes, plus ideas on solar energy and ecological responsibility.

At the meeting on Nov. 16, guests enjoyed a hot breakfast of eggs, French toast, sausage, bacon and other assorted items. Executive Director Mary Lou Carolan spoke about Impact 2024 and her belief in three key principles of CCEDC programing: connection, collaboration and community. “We’re turning a new page,” she stated.

She expressed her feelings about how these elements fulfill a number of both life and work goals, and how they fit into the vision for a transitional role for CCEDC. This included bringing back, refining and restructuring the programs, improving communications, especially regarding agritourism, locally grown produce and Taste of New York at Todd Hill. 

CCEDC is also looking to offer internships and to foster lifelong learning. 

This was followed by two women who shared how CCEDC had impacted their lives. Tomasine Oliphant, an educated professional, had come to the organization as a volunteer many years ago. She said that at the CCEDC she felt, for the first time, a sense of belonging, of being a part of something greater than herself. 

By bringing diversity and new programs to CCEDC, she said, she can help empower families and individuals by through teaching. She is also an instructor at SUNY Dutchess’ human services program.

Samantha Brittain first came to CCEDC’s Green Teen program as a teen; today, she is its  manager.

President Lacie Reilly  presented the Honor of the Year Extension Award to Matthew Shayly for the hoop house he built at  the farm center in which to hydroponically grow tomatoes. The hoop house, a round wooden structure with a “skin” over it, allowed him to grow the tomatoes for a food bank in Poughkeepsie, St. Thomas Pantry in Amenia, and a few others.

Shayly, formerly in construction, went to college where he rediscovered a love of gardening, and through that, could also fulfill another passion. This past year, Shayly became a Master Gardener, the CCEDC’s class of elite agricultural educators who advise and teach community members on environmentally appropriate plants and practices. 

At CCEDC, he built a hoop house. He had some help from friend Nilson Prislavina, and next year he will build a second hoop house so they can feed even more people and possibly diversify their crops.

Carolan closed the meeting by thanking the outgoing members, volunteers and staff. There were certificates of appreciation, and then the centerpieces created by one of the Master Gardeners plus several gift baskets were won by guests in a series of raffle drawings.