Tioga State Bank and others recognized at ‘Friends of Extension’ dinner

Tioga State Bank and others recognized at ‘Friends of Extension’ dinner

Pictured are the Friend of Extension awardees, from left: Heidi Mouillesseaux-Kunzman, Georgianna Horvath, Drew Griffin, Cathy Robinson, Karen Rice, Ruthanne Orth, Richard Orth, Rose Blinn and Andrew Fagan.

Tioga State Bank and others recognized at ‘Friends of Extension’ dinner

Pictured, from left, is Andrew Fagan, Ruthanne Orth and Richard Orth.

Tioga State Bank and others recognized at ‘Friends of Extension’ dinner

Pictured, from left, is Andrew Fagan, Gail Lawson and Barb Neal.

Tioga State Bank and others recognized at ‘Friends of Extension’ dinner

Pictured, from left, is Matthew Murphy, Michael Glos, Tina Murphy, Andy Fagan, Marty Murphy and Brian Murphy.

The Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Tioga County (CCE Tioga) recognized several “Friends of Extension” and staff at their dinner and Annual Meeting on Monday, Dec. 8 at the Owego Treadway Inn. Executive Director Andrew Fagan welcomed the more than 70 guests; thanking them for their continued support of the Cornell University affiliated non-profit that provides a wide array of community educational programs and services.

It is part of the national Cooperative Extension System established to help extend research and local knowledge to foster economic, social, and environmental improvement of individuals, families, and communities, especially in the areas of agriculture, home economics, 4-H, and community betterment.

Fagan began the evening by introducing the members of the volunteer Board of Directors including Michael Glos, Charley Truman, Tom Gartung, Karen Lindhorst, Leslie D’Arcy, James Pratt, Austin Blinn, Drew Griffin, Gary Jones, Ruthanne Orth, Cornelia Mead, Michelle Dunham and Kristi Van Dusen. He also welcomed Tioga County Legislator William Standinger III, Owego Mayor Kevin Millar, and State Extension Specialist Paul O’Connor.

Fagan, who also serves as the Executive Director of CCE Chemung County, continued the evening with the “State of the Organization” report, stating “It has been a year of change, but we have still made significant contributions to Tioga County.”

He welcomed new agriculture and horticulture educators, Michele Kline and Barbra Neal. He noted how the state has moved toward allocating funds on a more regional basis and how it has negatively impacted programs such as Nutrition and Reality Check, as well as the overall CCE Tioga budget.

All program areas, including Family Development, 4-H Youth Development, and Youth Employment, shared a few program impacts that are highlighted in the new 2014 Annual Report which were available for all guests. Fagan also proudly stated that he, the Board, and staff have worked hard to “get their house in order,” completing their 2014-18 Strategic Plan, adopting new operating guidelines, and passing another outside audit with flying colors.

The most emotional part of the evening came when Fagan and staff presented the “Friend of Extension Awards.” Each year CCE Tioga recognizes individuals and organizations that make significant contributions to CCE Tioga and who exemplify the spirit of extension.

The Campus Collaborator Award went to Cornell University’s Community and Regional Development Institute staff member, Heidi Mouillesseaux-Kunzman, for her many years of program support, trainings, and partnership. Fagan highlighted her leadership in offering the national “Stronger Economies Together” curriculum to the Tioga County Rural Economic Area Partnership (Tioga REAP), which is leading to the development of a biomass industry cluster in the Southern Tier. Heidi expressed her thanks and added that she is glad that as a life-long resident of Tioga County that her efforts are seen as valuable by CCE and the Tioga County community.

The 4-H Youth Development Award went to Cathy Robinson for over 20 years of volunteer leadership.

The Family Development Award went to Brie Burgess, co-owner of the Railhouse Restaurant in Waverly, for her partnership and fundraising support for the Waverly Family Resource Center.

The Agriculture and Natural Resource Award went to Gail Lawson for her many years of service and volunteer leadership for the Tioga County Master Gardener Program.

The Community Nutrition and Wellness Award went to Karen Rice from Tioga Opportunities, Inc. for her many years of partnership and support of the EatSmart NY program.

The Spirit of Extension Award went to Tioga State Bank and its staff for their many years of partnership, Board service, and financial support for CCE Tioga and especially for the “Taste of Tioga,” 4-H Youth Development and Family Development programs. Ralph Kelsey, Tioga State vice president, thanked CCE Tioga and expressed how important Cooperative Extension is to him personally and to the greater community and stressed that it is important for the County to continue to support the organization, especially for the future of agriculture.

The Friends of the Association Award went to Ruthanne and Dick Orth for their many contributions to CCE Tioga for more than a decade, including volunteer leadership for the 4-H teen leadership program (now goLEAD), staff and Board trainings, and providing leadership and services in several committees, including fundraising and strategic planning.

Fagan also recognized Ruthanne Orth and Drew Griffin for completing six years of service on the CCE Tioga Board of Directors. Michael Glos, board president, then helped recognize staff for completing milestone years of service, including Lisa Westin-Bialy (5-years), Meg Ward (10-years), Jody Tatich and Fagan (15-years).

Fagan surprised long-term Senior Administrative Assistant Tina Murphy with the Association Appreciation award for nearly 30 years of continuous, dedicated service to CCE Tioga, stating that for over 15 years “Tina has been my right and left arms. She takes care of all of the small things that add up to big things for our organizations. I could not do it without her.”

Glos then led the business portion of the meeting. Minutes from the previous year’s meeting were read and approved. He and Fagan introduced an amendment to the organization’s constitution required by the IRS and introduced five candidates for the Board of Directors.

Tioga County residents in attendance then voted, passing the amendment and electing Kristi Van Dusen, Austin Blinn, Marty Borko, Lisa Bloodnick, and Audrey Lowes to 3-year terms on the Board of Directors. They will join the Board at their organizational meeting in January 2015.

For more information about CCE Tioga and its programs call (607) 687-4020. Copies of the Annual Report are available at the CCE Tioga office located in the Ronald E. Dougherty County Office Building, 56 Main St., Owego, N.Y. 13827 and it will be uploaded CCE Tioga’s new website which will be launched in January.