LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Cornell
University's Cooperative Extension

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
applaud the leaders of commerce and industry, as well as educational
institutions, whose accomplishments contribute to the economic health
and prosperity of the communities of the State of New York and to the
quality of life of its people; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 100th Anniversary of Cornell University's Cooperative Exten-
sion of Lewis County, New York; and
WHEREAS, Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) is a key outreach system
of Cornell University with a strong public mission and an extensive
local presence that is responsive to needs in New York communities; its
educational system enables people to improve their lives and communities
through partnerships that put experience, research, and knowledge to
work; and
WHEREAS, The nationwide network of Cooperative Extension programs
began in 1914, as a means of applying land-grant university research in
understandable and useful ways, to farmers and to rural families; and
WHEREAS, Together with the people of New York State, CCE has taken on
some of the greatest challenges of the new century, such as fostering
energy independence, sustainable agriculture, childhood obesity, and
community programs; and
WHEREAS, It began with a simple, practical, brilliant idea to connect
the knowledge, resources, and research of Cornell University with the
people of New York State, to take care of families, build businesses,
and improve communities, all while working collaboratively for a greater
good; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 100 years later, this one great idea is burning
brighter than ever; each year, more than 10 million people throughout
New York State participate in extension workshops, seminars, meetings,
and tours, or request specific help or advice from CCE personnel; and
WHEREAS, The seed for CCE was planted in 1862, when President Abraham
Lincoln signed the Morrill Act into law, effectively creating the
concept of the land-grant university; and
WHEREAS, Cornell professors began their first "extension work" with
extramural teaching in 1876, working with regional farmers to help them
solve agricultural challenges of the time; 10 years later, the universi-
ty conducted Farmers' Institutes, state-funded outreach programs built
around research and education; and
WHEREAS, In 1900, a home economics curriculum was developed to meet
the needs of the women of New York State, and newly emerging scientific
knowledge with accessible learning opportunities for women and their
families were integrated; with this foundation in place, CCE had a basis
from which to grow and develop; and
WHEREAS, In 1911, John H. Baron founded the first Extension in New
York's Broome County; by 1918, 54 more Extension offices were estab-
lished across New York State, largely emphasizing research and consulta-
tion related to agriculture, by far the nation's leading industry at the
time; and
WHEREAS, In 1948, with the nation beginning its progression from farm
to factory jobs, an Extension site was established in a distinctly non-
agricultural community, New York City; and
WHEREAS, Through the late 1940s and 1950s, three distinct CCE entities
were formed: the Farm Bureau, which served the agriculture sector, the

Home Bureau, which focused on educating homemakers through local clubs
and programs, and the 4-H Club Extension Federation, created to help
engage and educate children and teens; and
WHEREAS, In the 1960s and 1970s, CCE began connecting with increasing
numbers of women from across the state, sharing research and knowledge
from rural towns to suburban neighborhoods, as well as addressing urban
problems, expanding food and nutrition education, and tackling the envi-
ronmental consequences of everyday activities; and
WHEREAS, In the 1990s, CCE began to work closely with small farmers
looking to diversify their businesses, as well as new rural landowners
seeking income opportunities; and
WHEREAS, Today, CCE serves urban, suburban, town, and rural areas by
offering programs in five broad areas, including Agriculture and Food
Systems; Children, Youth, and Families; Community and Economic Vitality;
Environment and Natural Resources; and Nutrition and Health; and
WHEREAS, Throughout its history and continuing today CCE has modeled
innovative uses of technology, communications and contemporary models of
organizational governance that reflect the changing needs and structure
of society; and
WHEREAS, As Cornell University Cooperative Extension celebrates its
100th Anniversary, it stands in fulfillment of the proud legacy of its
namesake and is poised for success for many years to come; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Cornell University's Cooperative
Extension; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Cornell University's Cooperative Extension of Lewis County.