Senate Resolution No. 4238

BY: Senator YOUNG

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

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and
commemorate the proud and distinguished histories of the people,
communities and organizations which comprise the noble body of this
great Empire State; 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 Cornell Cooperative Extension of
Livingston County and the Livingston County Farm Bureau; and

WHEREAS, More than 100 years ago, the Broome County Chamber and the
Lackawanna Railroad worried that an abundance of abandoned farms could
draw on the prosperity of urban communities; they realized that all
farmers should be offered the opportunities presented through modern
science and practical agriculture, and wanted a method to enable farmers
to learn about new discoveries and how to apply them; the USDA suggested
placing a trained individual in each county to assist farmers, which
would lead to the Land Grant System, designed to establish a state
university in each state for disseminating the research information down
to the county level; and

WHEREAS, In 1911, the first county agent was employed in Broome
County - John Barron, Agronomy Professor at Cornell, who was from a farm
family in Tuscarora, Livingston County; this new plan was important to
ensure that farmers took an active role, which led to the formation of a
Farm Bureau Membership in 1913; the partnership between farmers and the
college endured and there were 37 County Farm Bureaus in 1917, with
Livingston County joining in 1918; and

WHEREAS, The need in New York State for an Extension to be a strong
educational agency and for the Farm Bureau to be a strong farm
organization that could speak on controversial public issues, caused the
two groups to mutually separate in 1956; The County Farm and Home Bureau
and 4-H Club Association name was legally changed to County Extension
Service Association with three departments - agricultural, home
demonstration, and 4-H Club; as the rural population developed
increasing needs, there have been several modifications; County agents
and Cornell Specialists have provided educational information but left
the job of control and development to organizations and farm leaders;
and

WHEREAS, The Cooperative Extension system today is a unique
achievement in American education with many countries who have attempted
to duplicate it, but have yet to be successful; this is an agency for
change and for problem solving, a catalyst for individual and group
action with the history of over 100 years of public education and
service; the Extension brings reward to higher education into the lives
of all segments of communities across New York State; and

WHEREAS, The Cooperative Extension system offers programs that are
all based on unbiased research and delivers programming in youth
development, life skills, nutrition and health, agricultural
sustainability, environmental education, job skills, and community
development; and

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly
recognize and honor milestones in the history of communities both large
and small in this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

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

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