Cornell Cooperative Extension summarizes 2025 programs, funding and service changes to Chemung County committee

Michelle Podolak, executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Chemung County, told a Chemung County committee meeting that the extension’s work spans youth development, agriculture, natural resources and community programs and depends on county appropriations for its base budget.

"Our job is to put knowledge to work for you," Podolak said, describing the Extension's role and funding flow from the federal Smith‑Lever Act of 1914 through Cornell University and New York State to local offices. She told the committee that county appropriations provide the base that allows the local office to leverage additional state and federal funds.

The presentation summarized program numbers and recent changes. Podolak said the office has 17 staff members plus interns; the county provides $96,000 in in‑kind rent for space at the Human Services Building in the 2025 budget; and the county appropriation allows the office to leverage roughly 4.7 times more funding from state and federal sources. "Without the county, there is no cooperative extension in Chemung…