"The conversations I have at these events help me as I'm working on policy issues in Albany. There is no better way to gain a better understanding of the issues facing our agriculture industry than talking to our farmers and growers and sharing a meal with them," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
"It seems like every time I attend the Cooperative Extension annual dinner in St. Lawrence County I learn something about a different sector in the ag industry. The conversation during our meal this year was about goats," she noted.
Assemblywoman Jenne said she has been impressed by the steps Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County has taken in recent years to better meet the needs of the region.
"The ag community in St. Lawrence County remains robust even in the face of the current challenges facing the industry. There are some amazing programs underway in the county, and everyone has the same goal - improving the business climate and strengthening the ag industry," she noted.
"This county gets it. We have big industrial dairy here, but there is such diversity in the ag sector in St. Lawrence County. You really help me as I look at ag policy issues, letting me know how it should and shouldn't be done at the state level," Assemblywoman Jenne told attendees at the annual dinner.
She noted the farm to school pilot program she has championed in the North Country has benefitted from the work of Cooperative Extension's commercial kitchen.
"We are seeing a remarkable acceptance of local foods in our school cafeterias. School staff are very excited about bringing local products into their cafeterias, we are getting fresh, healthy local foods in front of our students and we are creating stable institutional markets for our farmers," according to Assemblywoman Jenne.
"Without the work Extension has been doing with the commercial kitchen and the support of our local agriculture community, this wouldn't be possible," she added.
Patrick Ames, executive director of CCE of St. Lawrence County, provided an overview of some of the year's highlights for the agency.
"It was an unusual year. After five years of significant change and growth, I felt there was a potential to get over our skis. I felt it was important to focus on the programs we have started," he said.
He noted those initiatives include the summer camp and after school programs, the commercial kitchen and master food preserver program, 4-H programs that reached 6,470 participants, a wilderness education class based at Camp Overlook and a revised Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program that saw new partnerships formed with agencies ranging from local food pantries to libraries and health care providers.
He pointed out Cooperative Extension continues to see dramatic growth in its North Wind Afterschool and Farm Day Camp.
The Farm Day Camp expanded its length of operation and weekly camper capacity. The program enrolled 240 campers - an increase of 57 campers from 2016 after seeing 46 more campers in 2016 than in 2015. The farm-based after school program has reached its permitted capacity of 25 students.
Assemblywoman Jenne said the numbers tell the story of Cooperative Extension's good work in the region.
"Cooperative Extension's focus on youth in St. Lawrence County is truly admirable. Cooperative Extension has expanded its programs in recent years to better meet the needs of community and has primed the agency for success for many years," she said.
Mr. Ames and his staff also handed out their annual awards to staff members and volunteers responsible for the program's success.
This year's honorees included:
• Program Vision Award:
Justin Hicks, director, North Wind Afterschool and Farm Day Camp
• Director's Award:
Dr. Kitty O'Neil, Regional Crop and Soil Specialist
• Extension Service Awards:
Luke Putney and Arthur Hurlbut, outgoing board members who served two full terms.
• Friends of Extension Award:
Dr. Caroline Pierce of Ranch Veterinarians
• Friends of Extension Award:
4-H Horse Program Advisory Committee, accepted by Mary Beth Green, Judy Boyer and Maureen Benedict
4-H Awards:
• 4-H Volunteer Service Award:
Melanie Locy, for support of Fishing Camp
• 4H Volunteer Spirit Award:
Larry and Diane Dowe, for support of the 4-H Goat Program
"These staff members and volunteers are doing great work, and the impact of their work will be seen for years," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
"They are providing our young people with unique opportunities that are likely to benefit future generations of farmers and growers in the North Country. It was impressive to hear about the work they are doing and the results they are seeing," she added.
Other speakers at the event included Sanford Stauffer, regional director of the American Dairy Association, and St. Lawrence County Dairy Princess Camryn Chester.
"Farmers are under stress. There are big farms, but there are still a lot of family farms in the county. Don't discount the small farms," he said.
American Dairy Association North East is responsible for promoting dairy and its nutritional benefits to 50-million consumers within a six-state region including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia and four counties in northern Virginia.
Mr. Stauffer introduced an American Dairy Association staffer, who screened a video focusing on the group's dairy marketing efforts.
IN THE PHOTOS:
TOP PHOTO:
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne Visits with St. Lawrence County dairy promoters Myra Bullock, Abby Smith and Kaitlyn Putman at the annual dinner meeting of Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County and the American Dairy Council and the Dairy Council, Inc. St. Lawrence County Dairy Princess Camryn Chester and members of her court are shown in the background working the milk punch and cheese table. Pictured are (l-r) Alternate Dairy Princess Emily teTiele, Ambassador and Dairy "Dude" Josh Godbout and Alternate Dairy Princess Maureen Pierce.
BOTTOM PHOTOS:
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne talks to Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County Executive Director Patrick Ames at the agency's annual dinner meeting in Canton. Assemblywoman Jenne praised Mr. Ames and his staff, board and volunteers for the work they are doing to meet the needs of the agriculture industry in the region.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne poses for a photograph with St. Lawrence County Dairy Princess Camryn Chester and members of her court at the annual dinner meeting of the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, Inc. Pictured are, front row: dairy promoters Abby Smith, Myrah Bullock and Kaitlyn Putman. Back row: Dairy Princess Chester, Assemblywoman Jenne, Dairy Ambassador Josh Godbout and Alternate Dairy Princess Maureen Pierce.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne learns about the connections St. Lawrence County dairy promoters Myra Bullock, Abby Smith and Kaitlyn Putman have with the industry.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne chats with Kaitlyn Putman about the steps that led her to become a dairy promoter. St. Lawrence County Dairy Princess Camryn Chester works the milk punch bowl in the background.
"Cooperative Extension's focus on youth in St. Lawrence County is truly admirable. Cooperative Extension has expanded its programs in recent years to better meet the needs of community and has primed the agency for success for many years," she said.
Mr. Ames and his staff also handed out their annual awards to staff members and volunteers responsible for the program's success.
This year's honorees included:
• Program Vision Award:
Justin Hicks, director, North Wind Afterschool and Farm Day Camp
• Director's Award:
Dr. Kitty O'Neil, Regional Crop and Soil Specialist
• Extension Service Awards:
Luke Putney and Arthur Hurlbut, outgoing board members who served two full terms.
• Friends of Extension Award:
Dr. Caroline Pierce of Ranch Veterinarians
• Friends of Extension Award:
4-H Horse Program Advisory Committee, accepted by Mary Beth Green, Judy Boyer and Maureen Benedict
4-H Awards:
• 4-H Volunteer Service Award:
Melanie Locy, for support of Fishing Camp
• 4H Volunteer Spirit Award:
Larry and Diane Dowe, for support of the 4-H Goat Program
"These staff members and volunteers are doing great work, and the impact of their work will be seen for years," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
"They are providing our young people with unique opportunities that are likely to benefit future generations of farmers and growers in the North Country. It was impressive to hear about the work they are doing and the results they are seeing," she added.
Other speakers at the event included Sanford Stauffer, regional director of the American Dairy Association, and St. Lawrence County Dairy Princess Camryn Chester.
"Farmers are under stress. There are big farms, but there are still a lot of family farms in the county. Don't discount the small farms," he said.
American Dairy Association North East is responsible for promoting dairy and its nutritional benefits to 50-million consumers within a six-state region including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia and four counties in northern Virginia.
Mr. Stauffer introduced an American Dairy Association staffer, who screened a video focusing on the group's dairy marketing efforts.
IN THE PHOTOS:
TOP PHOTO:
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne Visits with St. Lawrence County dairy promoters Myra Bullock, Abby Smith and Kaitlyn Putman at the annual dinner meeting of Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County and the American Dairy Council and the Dairy Council, Inc. St. Lawrence County Dairy Princess Camryn Chester and members of her court are shown in the background working the milk punch and cheese table. Pictured are (l-r) Alternate Dairy Princess Emily teTiele, Ambassador and Dairy "Dude" Josh Godbout and Alternate Dairy Princess Maureen Pierce.
BOTTOM PHOTOS:
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne talks to Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County Executive Director Patrick Ames at the agency's annual dinner meeting in Canton. Assemblywoman Jenne praised Mr. Ames and his staff, board and volunteers for the work they are doing to meet the needs of the agriculture industry in the region.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne poses for a photograph with St. Lawrence County Dairy Princess Camryn Chester and members of her court at the annual dinner meeting of the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, Inc. Pictured are, front row: dairy promoters Abby Smith, Myrah Bullock and Kaitlyn Putman. Back row: Dairy Princess Chester, Assemblywoman Jenne, Dairy Ambassador Josh Godbout and Alternate Dairy Princess Maureen Pierce.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne learns about the connections St. Lawrence County dairy promoters Myra Bullock, Abby Smith and Kaitlyn Putman have with the industry.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne chats with Kaitlyn Putman about the steps that led her to become a dairy promoter. St. Lawrence County Dairy Princess Camryn Chester works the milk punch bowl in the background.
