Congratulations Advantage Chess Team!

 The LaFargeville Advantage program K-6 chess team stunned Central New York with a first place finish in the Mariani Holiday Classic chess tournament held in Syracuse on December 15, 2007. Every team member scored points, and three students won individual trophies.

Pictured are: Adara Butts (kneeling); Kenny Sharp and Damien Stacy (middle row); Ashleigh Stacy, chess coach and Advantage Program Educator Erika O'Connor, Ashley Iovanna, Aaron Creamer, and Aaron Moffit (top row).

* * * * *

Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Jefferson County has been awarded a grant to extend after-school programming into the Theresa school district. The program, to begin in March, is an arm of Extension's Advantage after-school program. The program will provide academic, social, and developmental activities for school-age children, as well as community programs and events.

* * * * *

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County's annual meeting held November 14, 2007
 
Over 120 staff members, volunteers, and guests met for the annual meeting of the board of directors of Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Jefferson County, held November 14 at the Partridge Berry Inn in Watertown.

Command Sergeant Major Lamar Stellfox and his wife, Extension's Operation READY coordinator, Deborah Stellfox, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Board member Sue Shelmidine gave the invocation.
 
Board president Bruce Hazen presided over the meeting, in which the annual finance report, the preliminary annual program report, and revisions to the constitution were reviewed and accepted. Kathleen D. Nichter, clerk of the board, announced the results of the mail ballot election: Terry Fralick and Monica LeClerc were both reelected to three-year terms; Elizabeth Hodge and W. Edward Walldroff were elected to three-year terms; and Kathryn Canzonier was elected to a two-year term.
 
Following the meeting's adjournment, Dairy Princess Brooke Davidson led the group in a milk toast. A grand buffet dinner featuring locally grown or produced foods was then provided.
 
Keynote speakers for the evening focused on agricultural developments in Jefferson County. Dairy farmer Doug Shelmidine explained new developments in the dairy industry. John Jennings of Great Lakes Cheese spoke about the expansion of the Adams cheese plant due to the large dairy industry in the North Country. Dani Baker and Dave Belding of Cross Island Farm presented the ins and outs of a small, diversified, organic farm. Mike Hunter, Extension's agriculture and natural resources program leader, concluded the program with statistics regarding Jefferson County's rich agricultural community.
 
Several people were recognized for their support of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County. Senator James Wright (in abstentia); Assemblyman Darrel Aubertine; Dani Baker; and Thom, Wanda, Jaqualynn, Jehoshaphat, and Bethany Collins received certificates as Friends of Extension for their efforts on behalf of 4-H Camp Wabasso.

Executive director Richard Halpin thanked departing board members Bruce Hazen, Paul Passino, and Aaron Kimmich for their excellent service to Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Jefferson County.

Cathy Moore, Extension's nutrition and health program leader, presented the Volunteer of the Year award to Delta Keeney, "...with recognition and gratitude for unparalleled generosity of time, talent, wisdom and zeal to the people and mission of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County. Not only does Delta serve on our Ag Advisory and Nutrition Advisory committees; she also runs the Community Supported Agricultural (CSA) program; is market manager for the Monday Neighborhood and Watertown Mobile farmers markets; and donates vegetables for cooking demonstrations, at senior housing sites, and at local food pantries. Delta also promotes CCE programs on TV and radios, educates and mentors her fellow farmers, and shares her expertise with many others in our community."
 
Board president Bruce Hazen concluded the evening with comments about how Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Jefferson County has changed and grown over the past ninety years and how it will continue to change and grow as the needs in our county arise.
 
For a copy of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County's 2007 annual report or for more information about program offerings, please contact Extension at (315) 788-8450 or visit the office weekdays at 203 North Hamilton Street in Watertown.

* * * * *

Download the May Calendar of Events

* * * * *

Gone to the Dogs! weekend will be held June 20 - 22 at 4-H Camp Wabasso, Redwood, NY. Kids ages 8 through 19 and their well-behaved dogs are welcome. For more information, call educator Karen Soule at 788-8450, ext. 269 or you may download the flyer and camp registration forms here.

* * * * *

The great Jefferson County Fair, the oldest continuous fair in the United States, will be held at the Alex Duffy Fairgrounds in Watertown from July 15 through 20. Youth who would like to participate by entering exhibits and showing animals in the 4-H Youth Fair (July 13-20) may download the entire 2008 Jefferson County Youth Fair Book here; or may download Jefferson County Youth Fair book sections:

Non-animal book

Beef, Goat, Swine, and Sheep book

Dairy book

Horse book

Llama and Alpaca book

Small animal book

Link to Jefferson County Fair web page: www.jeffcofair.org

 

* * * * *

To celebrate the progress of farmers and community members in establishing direct marketing connections in northern New York, a three-day event of the New Strategies Project will be held May 1- 3 in three locations. Local Foods Connections: Opportunities and Challenges in the North Country will feature speakers Barbara Damrosch, author of The Garden Primer; and Shannon Hayes, author of Grass-fed Gourmet. The series includes a Thursday, May 1 dinner event at Hohmeyers Lodge on Lake Clear in Lake Clear, NY; and programs on Friday, May 2 at The Riveredge Resort in Alexandria Bay, NY, and Saturday, May 3 at the American Maple Museum in Croghan, NY. An informational flyer gives more information. Download the flyer (in pdf).

* * * * *

What are your kids doing this summer?

4-H Camp Wabasso summer youth camping season will soon be upon us. Registrations are being taken now. Visit our 4-H Camp Wabasso web page for more information.

* * * * *

Information regarding CONSUMER ENERGY EFFICIENCY may be found at the following sites:

CEPREE website: http://housing.cce.cornell.edu/nyserda

Energy Smart website:  http://www.getenergysmart.org

 

Click on links below for employment opportunities at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County:

Operation READY Resource Educator

full-time position

Operation READY Program Educator

full-time position

Parenting Educator

part-time position

Nutrition Outreach Educator

part-time position

Nutrition Educator

full-time position

4-H Camp Wabasso

temporary summer position:

• Health Coordinator