Rensselaer County designates Oct. 5–11, 2025 as Cornell Cooperative Extension Week and National 4‑H Week
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Summary
The Rensselaer County Legislature presented a resolution designating Oct. 5–11, 2025 as Cornell Cooperative Extension Week and National 4‑H Week; two 4‑H members described how the program built their confidence and leadership skills.
At a meeting presentation, the Rensselaer County Legislature introduced a resolution designating Oct. 5–11, 2025 as Cornell Cooperative Extension Week and National 4‑H Week in Rensselaer County.
An unidentified presenter read the resolution on the record, noting the county’s cooperative extension traces to an April 1917 legislative action establishing a county Farm Bureau and stating that the county “recognizes 108 years of outstanding service” by Cornell Cooperative Extension in Rensselaer County. The presenter said the resolution directs the clerk of the legislature to transmit an engrossed copy to the executive director of Rensselaer County Cooperative Extension.
The presenter outlined program areas served by Cooperative Extension, saying the organization supports youth leadership through 4‑H as well as agronomy, horticulture, dairy and livestock programs, nutrition education, digital literacy and other local agricultural and community services.
Two young 4‑H members spoke in support of the designation. Sophie Townsend, 14, said she has been part of 4‑H for two years with the Rensselaer County Trail Blazers equine club and credited 4‑H with helping her “gain confidence in everything I do, whether in school or standing up speaking in front of you.” She recounted attending the ABC Agribusiness Conference at SUNY Cobleskill, a three‑day horse clinic and volunteering as a teen manager at the county fair.
Lily Root, representing the Stablemates 4‑H Club, described how 4‑H pushed her outside her comfort zone, noting she represented the county twice at state public speaking and participated in teen exchange programs that led to long‑distance friendships. “4‑H didn’t just give me projects and ribbons. It gave me confidence,” she said.
The presentation credited Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County with contributing to local agriculture and food systems and said the national theme for the year, “Beyond Ready,” celebrates preparing youth for future challenges. The transcript records the resolution presentation and the youths’ remarks but does not include a recorded vote or subsequent formal action in the provided segments.
The clerk was instructed to transmit an engrossed copy of the resolution to the executive director of Rensselaer County Cooperative Extension.
