Dear Friend of Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County,

We Need Your Help!

The County Executive has released his proposed budget for 2010, which reflects a $496,002, or 45% cut in county funding for your Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County Association, including a 100% funding cut to the Environment Program, and deep cuts to the 4-H Youth Development & Green Teen Programs, Nutrition Information Program, and Agriculture/Horticulture Program - if funding is not restored, these cuts will result in staff layoffs and reductions and eliminations of programs.

While we appreciate the serious economic challenges that our county faces, we also know that now, more than ever, individuals, businesses, and communities need Cooperative Extension’s research-based knowledge and practical education to cope with the complex issues we face. 

We need your help to tell the CCE Story to County Legislators and residents.  Please call, e-mail, or write your local legislator, and ask them to restore level funding for Cooperative Extension in the 2010 budget.  Click here for a list of Legislators.  Click here for more information you can include in your communication, and for tips on how to share your story.  Click here for the full text of this message from me.  Please check our website often for updates.  And feel free to contact the CCEDC Executive Director, Linda R. Keech, by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  to discuss any aspects of the situation.

You see first hand the positive impacts that Cornell Cooperative Extension has in our community every day.  We will do everything in our power, with your help, to continue this important work!

Sincerely,


Dan Briggs
CCEDC Board President

Helping People Help Themselves

Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County, a 501(c)3 organization associated with Cornell University and its land-grant mission since 1869, disseminates research-based resources, tools and education to the residents and officials of Dutchess County. Our four program areas are: Agriculture & Horticulture, Environment, Family & Consumer Sciences, and 4-H Youth Development. 

Knowledge is central to Extension’s role of transferring useful information - but it’s more than “knowing that” - it’s really “knowing how” that is critical to promoting innovation and changing behaviors, sustaining the environment and communities, contributing to the economy, and improving lives.

Learn more about the unique Cornell Extension system, which links research-based knowledge to educational programs that help improve communities, and how to support CCEDC, a 501c3 organization, with your donation.