Speakers from the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County including Rose Clarke, Mary Ryder, Josie Allen, and Linnea Haskin were recently welcomed to the Rotary Club of Jamestown by President Ruth Lundin, far right. The visitors provided updates on their programs and upcoming events.

Several employees of Cornell Cooperative Extension recently spoke to members of the Rotary Club of Jamestown.

Linnea Haskin, Cornell Cooperative Extension community food system educator, introduced the organization as a research-based extension of Cornell University. It works with the state and various partners to address needs in areas such as agriculture, youth development, the environment, and food and nutrition education.

Haskin provided an update on the New York Food for New York Families program, a grant aimed at investing in food security. With 24% of the county experiencing food insecurity, the program collaborates with local partners like Jamestown Mobile Markets, rural ministries, Dunkirk, Ripley, and others, to purchase and distribute local produce. Over the next few years, the program aims to purchase $500,000 worth of food from local farmers, with 800 to 900 boxes of local produce packed by Brigiotta’s Farmland Produce being distributed weekly for 20 weeks starting in June.

Josie Allen, 4-H youth development educator at CCE-Chautauqua, spoke about youth education program for ages 8-19. She expressed gratitude to volunteers from the club who participated in Agriculture Literacy Week, where a selected agriculture-based book, “I Love Strawberries” by Shannon Anderson, was read to elementary school children.

Rose Clarke, agricultural program coordinator, introduced some programs and resources aimed at educating adults about agriculture. Upcoming events include chainsaw safety training on May 13 and 14, a Master Gardening Training Class on May 14, and Master Gardening Plant Sales on May 18.

Mary Ryder, SNAP Ed Educator, highlighted their efforts to help people make healthy food choices on a budget. SNAP-Ed and EFNEP programs collaborate with schools and local organizations on food and nutrition education. For more information about CCE-Chautauqua and their upcoming events, visit chautauqua.cce.cornell.edu.