Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County (CCEOC) recently held its 100th anniversary annual meeting and awards dinner on Jan. 10. The event honored volunteers and staff, elected new community members to the board, and highlighted the organization’s accomplishments and future plans.
Elected to serve a three-year term on the board were Nolly Climes of Campbell Hall, Kristin Jensen of Washingtonville, Gary Johnson of Chester, John Russell of Port Jervis, and Robin White of Middletown.
The 2015 Friend of Extension Award was presented to Orange County Trust Company in Middletown. Accepting the award on behalf of the Trust Company was CEO and President Michael Gilfeather and board Chair Louis Heimbach.
“What a thrill it was to have so many people join us to mark Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County’s 100th anniversary,” said Executive Director Lucy Joyce. “We are privileged to have served and worked with Orange County residents from all walks of life to improve and enhance the quality of life for the people who live here.”
In celebration of the 100th anniversary all CCEOC past presidents were honored for their commitment and leadership in moving the organization’s mission forward over the years. In attendance were 11 past presidents—Charles Johnson, Alice Fellenzer, Patricia Reineke, Joseph Owen, Ana Finkle, John Ruszkiewicz, Deborah DeJong, Seth Arluck, Charles Quinn, and Susanne Wasson.
Joyce and others also updated guests with the status of the Extension’s Education Center and 4-H Park currently under construction in Mount Hope. The center will serve as a regional facility for Orange County agriculture, youth, and families. Many community and 4-H programs are already taking place at the new location.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County is the premier research-based cooperative educational system focusing its resources on current and future issues in order to positively affect agriculture, families and youth, the environment, and economic development in our county.
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