2015
Mission Statement
Cornell Cooperative Extension puts knowledge to work in pursuit of economic vitality, ecological sustainability and social well‐being. We bring local experience and research based solutions together, helping New York State families and communities thrive in our rapidly changing world.
Vision Statement
Cornell Cooperative Extension is a national leader in creating positive change on behalf of families and communities through rigorously-tested extension programs. We create measurable change in the following priority areas by aligning local needs with the resources and priorities of the land grant system and its state and federal partners. Priority Areas:
*Agriculture and Food Ststems
*4-H Youth Development/Children, Youth and Families
*Nutrition, Food Safety and Security and Obesity Prevention
*Community and Economic Vitality
Board of Directors
Walter Adam
Paul Bursic
Donald J. Chutas
Charles Fausold
Michael Lausell
Sam Maggio
Dick Peterson
Mark Rondianro
Steve Sierigk
Karen Stewart
Erin Thaete
Program Committees:
Agriculture
Walt Adam
Ryan Bossert
Lisa Brower
Kathy Engel
Brud Holland
Lorin Hostetler
Ken Mansfield
Nicole Rawleigh
Cheryl Richtmyer
Youth, Families, and Nutriton Program Committee
Nancy Brand
Mary DeWalt
JoAnn Fratarcangelo
Emily Johnson
Marcia Kasprzk
Deb McDonald
Deb Morse
Megan Scuteri
Erin Thaete
Hidden Vally 4-H Camp Advisory Committee
Rebecca Bowers
Don Chutas
Molly Lane
Autumn Lavine
Bernadette Raupers
Megan Tift
Tom VanDerZee
Front Cover- Angus Glen Farm in the Spring- Photo by Brett Chedzoy
Letter From the Interim ED
Spring 2016
Welcome to our spring edition of our Better Living Magazine. We have made a few subtle changes and hope you enjoy those; we have responded to our readers and provided a listing of our upcoming programs so you will have one document to reference and provide a “Get to Know our Volunteers” section that will help you as readers learn a few new things about our CCE volunteers. April is National Volunteer Month and we at Cornell Cooperative Extension could not accomplish the work that we do without the assistance of our volunteers. During the winter months our most active volunteers fall within our 4-H Program area along with our Board of Directors and Program Advisory Committees. We also have a growing volunteer support within our Agriculture Program area, particularly within our Master Gardener program. We thank you for your commitment to our mission, vision and values and for your ongoing support.
Meet our CCE Board Officers
Paul Bursic, President
Paul works on the Cornell campus as the Senior Director of Benefit Services, and has close connections with CCE’s on campus staff regarding benefit issues and other HR matters. Paul has served on several boards and committees, including the Schuyler Council Governments’ Energy Task Force and Finger Lakes Grape Growers Program. Paul would like to help facilitate the great work that CCE produces and offer time to strategic planning and operations.
Donald Chutas, Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair
Don graduated from Mt. Union College with a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry and is currently the Plant Manager at Cargill Salt in Watkins Glen. Don sees being on the CCE Board of Directors as giving him a way to give back to the Agricultural community, and to help alleviate the environmental, agricultural and social challenges facing Schuyler county communities through training and education.
Steve Sierigk, Vice President
Steve graduated from SUNY Binghamton with a B.S. in Biology and has completed 2 years of graduate work at Cornell. He was also previously a board member of the Finger Lakes Land Trust. In his role as a board member he would really like to help nurture a positive land ethic, starting with you and support for small farms.
Erin Thaete, Secretary
Erin currently resides in Burdett and is the owner of Thaete Vineyards and a Senior Sales Representative at Eli Lily Company. Erin was also a former Hidden Valley 4-H Camp Counselor. Erin looks forward to sharing skills to ensure that CCE continues to represent the needs of the Schuyler community and ensuring that the community is taking advantage of current programming offered.