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Legislature honors Irish heritage, memorializes longtime Troy resident and recognizes county nutrition programs
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Summary
At its March 10 meeting the Rensselaer County Legislature proclaimed March Irish American Heritage Month, adopted a memorial resolution for Anna Madeline Gross, and recognized Cornell Cooperative Extension for National Nutrition Month; Cornell staff highlighted SNAP‑Ed and youth nutrition programs and warned of program funding loss.
Rensselaer County legislators used the opening of the March 10 meeting to recognize community groups and a longtime resident.
The legislature unanimously approved a proclamation designating March as Irish American Heritage Month and honored Troy AOH Division 8 for recent revitalization and community service. Members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians came forward to accept the recognition and briefly addressed the body.
The legislature also adopted a resolution adjourning the meeting in memory of Anna Madeline Gross, who, the resolution says, was born July 26, 1919 and died Feb. 3, 2026. Family members were invited to the front of the chamber and described Gross’s long ties to Troy: the resolution and family remarks noted she lived to 106, was active in local social life, and was ‘‘greatly missed by her family, friends, and the community.’'
Legislators then recognized Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Rensselaer County for National Nutrition Month (resolution P66‑26). Penny Hill, who identified herself as president of the CCE board, introduced extension staff and described CCE’s mission to provide research‑based education and local food support. "We pride ourselves in having the ability to teach residents the importance of good nutrition," Hill said.
CCE staff described programs and local reach. Kim Mullen, who works with the SNAP‑Ed nutrition education program, said nutrition lessons are taught to about 1,000 students each year in SNAP‑eligible schools and that SNAP‑Ed supports families and schools across the county. Mullen warned the SNAP‑Ed program as delivered in New York "will be ending... in September after nearly three decades," and said staff hope to find future funding sources to continue support. Eileen DePaula, 4‑H program coordinator, described youth cooking programs including a junior chefs series and a chef contest at the county fair that engages youth in food preparation and teamwork.
Why it matters: The proclamations recognize community organizations and individuals and highlight CCE services that provide nutrition education, youth programming and outreach to thousands of county residents; CCE staff emphasized both the current reach of programs and uncertainties about future SNAP‑Ed funding.
Next steps: The recognitions are ceremonial; the SNAP‑Ed funding timeline cited by CCE staff (program ending in New York in September) signals potential program changes and is a point county stakeholders said they will monitor.
