New officers for Cooperative Extension

Cornell Cooperative Extension celebrated 87 years of serving Wayne County at their recent annual meeting. Both staff and volunteers were recognized for their outstanding contribution to the association.

Board President Jim Johnson said, 'If it weren't for the volunteers, we would need an additional 12 staff members.'

Staff member and 4-H Team Leader, Steve Billings was recognized for 20 years of service to the Cornell Cooperative Extension System. Other staff members were also recognized: Kim Gardner - Community Nutrition Educator (15 years), Daisy Greene Community Nutrition Educator (10 years) and Lynn Petrosino Community Nutrition Educator (6 years).

For the first time in more than a decade, elections were held for membership to the Board of Directors. Linda Henrie, Nomination Committee Chairperson, announced that Malcolm O'Malley will continue on the board and will be joined by two new members Ray Budd and John Baker.

Budd is a retired electrical engineer who has been a volunteer Master Gardener since 1996 and a volunteer for the Wayne County Department of Again and Youth since 1997. He and his wife, Brenda, reside in Marion.

Baker is the Administrator of Business Office Services and Purchasing for Wayne Finger Lakes BOCES. He looks forward to contribute to the success of Extension and its programs.

Board member O'Malley and Beth Claypoole, Executive Director, highlighted the accomplishments of the association over the last year. Specific items presented include: facilities upgrades for future space rental, improved communication across program areas and committees, reaching more than 4000 people through the nutrition education programs and documenting that 34 percent are now increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, reaching 2500 youth through traditional 4-H clubs and school programs.

A new landscaping business is now in operation in Wayne County as a result of participation in the Horticulture Training Program, and more than 20 fruit businesses attended training to increase documentation that will allow them to receive certification to export fruit to Europe.

The programs reach close to 7000 Wayne County residents, and public is educated at the County Fair and through news releases.

Steve Hoying, Regional Fruit Specialist with the Lake Ontario Fruit Team, also gave a presentation on the international fruit industry in Italy and differences between consumer preferences in Italy and the local area.

To receive a copy of the 2004 annual report, call 331.8415.

Top Volunteers for Cooperative Extension were recognized for their extra hard work, commitment and enthusiasm:

Brian Gordner (Wolcott) is an indispensable part of the 4-H team of volunteers. He is a member of both the 4-H Horticulture and Natural Resources Program Development Committees as well as the 4-H Advisory Committee. In addition to leading a club in his hometown of Wolcott, Gordner has also taken the initiative to form a partnership with the Red Creek Rod and Gun Club, creating a new Shooting Sports Club (Guns-n-Clovers, North) to encourage the involvement of youth in the northeastern part of Wayne County. He volunteers to teach workshops at many of our county 4-H programs including the Fall and Spring Garden Workshops, the Holiday Special and Summer Fun in the Breezes. He has helped our youth in the Countywide Gardening Group with their landscaping projects.

Carol Spellman (Savannah) - Since retiring from Cornell Cooperative Extension, Carol has been extremely active as a volunteer for the 4-H program. She is the leader of the County Teen Exchange program. She plans the cultural experiences for members from other states who visit Wayne County, and leads the fund raisers necessary to cover the cost of flying 20 plus kids to far away places like Colorado in 2004 and Wisconsin in 2003. Spellman has taught many sewing and craft workshops in the county, and has taken leadership for the Finger Lakes District Textile Expo where she plays the role of registrar. She has also chaired the Wayne County Asset Committee Youth Conference the last 2 years, in which 4-H plays a major part.

Barb Shipley (North Rose) has been a board member for five years. She started on the Board as the representative from the Family and Consumer Sciences Program Committee and was elected as an at-large-Board member two years ago when the new constitution was implemented. Shipley has been a valued resource to CCE as a committee member and as a employee of the Wayne County Public Health Department. She was instrumental is continuing the Diabetes education program and is currently working with Maggie on the Diabetes Coalition. Shipley serves as secretary of the Board of Directors and we are excited about being able honor her contributions to CCE.

Beth Bishopp (Macedon) has been a 4-H volunteer for four years but in that time she has become a key volunteer in 4-H Animal Science Projects. She is the leader of a large and active poultry project club - The 4-H Feather Fanciers. Also over the last year, she has been the Chair of the Livestock Program Development Committee and a member on the 4-H Advisory Committee. Under her leadership we have seen the initiation of a Small Animal Super Showmanship Contest at the Wayne County Fair for kids showing rabbits, poultry, and cavies at county fair, and the rejuvenation of the annual spring Livestock Clinics for 4-H.

Donna Johnson (Marion) is a member of the 4-H Natural Resources Program Development Committee. She volunteers every year to be a 4-H judge at County Fair. Donna also works with CCE staff on collaborative projects to promote healthy behaviors among children and teens. For several years she has worked with 4-H and Nutrition educators at Driving Park Circle's Summer Garden Program as well as at Fun-in-the Sun. She has provided media literacy training to many CCE staff members and has been very willing to help get programs started to give youth a chance to gain important skills that will allow them to deconstruct advertisements supplied by the media today.

Bill Scheetz (Newark) has given 25 years of service as a Master Gardener. He has represented Wayne County at the State Master Gardener Conference in Ithaca and made many presentations to garden clubs in the area. Bill is a rose expert and a thorough diagnostician who patiently answers a wide array of 'Hotline' questions from the public. Along with his gifts of knowledge, he contributes to our fund raising activities and worked on the new entry plantings that we completed this fall. This gentleman personifies generosity in public service.

Mary Lou Gray (Wolcott) contributes immensely to our Master Gardener program. By sharing her expertise in herbs, vegetables and trees, she has enriched the lives of many county gardeners. In all seasons she works to share knowledge and enthusiasm with other Master Gardeners and the public. We thoroughly enjoy her humor, hard work and vision for the improvement of our consumer horticulture program

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