Senate Resolution No. 2779

BY: Senator O'MARA

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Farm
Bureau and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler
County

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
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Farm Bureau and Cornell Cooperative
Extension; 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, In 1911, the Broome County Chamber of Commerce, in
partnership with Cornell University, Erie-Lackawanna Railroad, and the
USDA, hired the first agriculture agent in the United States, John
Barron, to organize, teach, research and lobby on behalf of farmers and
rural residents; and

WHEREAS, The organization piece was known as the Broome County Farm
and Home Bureau, a grassroots organization led by farmers; and

WHEREAS, The model quickly spread across the country, reaching
Schuyler County where the Farm Bureau was formally organized in 1917;
New York Farm Bureau also formed in 1917, while the American Farm Bureau
Federation was formed in 1919; and

WHEREAS, In 1914, the Federal Smith-Lever Act was passed,
establishing cooperative extension work and providing funds for
agricultural and home demonstration extension work in each state; in
Schuyler County, the Farm Bureau combined forces with the Schuyler
County Home Bureau Association and Schuyler County Cooperative Extension
Service was born; and

WHEREAS, In 1955, the organization split into two entities, the
modern day Cooperative Extension system and the Farm Bureau, with
Cooperative Extension focusing on education, and the Farm Bureau on
lobbying and advocacy; and

WHEREAS, Today, the Farm Bureau has more than six million member
families in all 50 states, and is the largest agricultural organization
in the world; and

WHEREAS, The Cooperative Extension system is run through the
original Land Grant Universities, and helps educate farmers, nationwide,
on growing its food supply, educating the public on issues involving
horticulture and nutrition, and in engaging youth through 4-H; and

WHEREAS, Throughout its history and continuing today, Cornell
Cooperative Extension 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 the Farm Bureau and Cornell Cooperative Extension of
Schuyler County celebrate their 100th Anniversary, they stand in
fulfillment of the proud legacy of their namesake and are poised for
success for many years to come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Farm Bureau and Cornell
Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Farm Bureau and Cornell Cooperative Extension of
Schuyler County.