4-H members and their animals take center stage at the fair

RHINEBECK – Nearly half of the Dutchess County Legislature took an early peek at 4-H Club programs, during opening day of the Dutchess County Fair.  The agricultural group benefits kids and seniors, and is administered by the Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Budget cuts in recent years have reduced county CCE funding to $536,000 for 2012, down from just over a million several years ago.  Today, CCE’s staff has shrunk from 40 to 25, lowering the number of volunteers the group can oversee.

Matching funds mandated by state law result in greater impact whenever local money is slashed, according to Linda Keech, executive director of CCE-Dutchess.

The nonprofit agency has adapted by seeking shifting to outside grant applications, Keech said. Dutchess County’s share of CCE subsidy has plummeted from two-thirds of their budget a dozen years ago, to currently just 20 percent.

“There’s hard choices being made in every aspect of county government,” said County Legislator Angela Flesland. “In no way is this just Cornell,” she said.

“We’re forced to make decisions, like do we have a 911 center or not,” Flesland added. “These are not easy decisions, and this is not an easy economy in which to rebound,” she said.

“We want to see you guys help yourselves,” Flesland told Keech. “That initiative means so much. There’s nothing better for us,” she said, encouraging CCE to continue seeking other sources.

“We know the reality,” Freech responded. “It’s the times. We have not been stagnant. We’re striving,” she said.

Legislator James Doxsey is a primary supporter of the agency.

“We need Cornell Cooperative and their affiliates to continue to help our public in the struggling times that we are in,” Doxsey said. “It’s important that all the legislators know the achievements CCE provides. Cornell Cooperative leverages a tremendous amount of outside funding, but it can only be leveraged with county tax dollars.”

“What the Cooperative Extension does for the county goes unheralded,” agreed Legislator Richard Perkins. “I hope more people understand the value they add over time.”

Legislator David Sherman said the game “is to hold the line” to make sure they do not face anything severe as they have in the past.

Over a dozen 4-H Club kids participate in a llama group called The Spitters, which competes at the Fair for showmanship and obstacles. Their efforts seek to acclimate these animals for prolonged human contact, training both beasts and volunteers for future autistic therapy work.

Other youth are brought on extended hikes for trail cleanup and nature walks. Other benefits include coaching kids for public speaking. A foreign exchange program is one of the activities discontinued by funding cuts.

CCE’s family consumer department tackles “human ecology,” making sure people can live, thrive, and enjoy better lives. Included are parenting, nutrition and financial management issue services.