We need transportation to get to our 4-H kids!

 I am proud and passionate about our Extension Program. Our mission is to help our residents improve their quality of life. We  work with our County residents in many ways:  the farmers, nutritional programming for children and adults, educational resources across the spectrum and of course our most recognized youth program, 4-H.” In 4‑H, we believe in the power of young people. We see that every child has valuable strengths and real influence to improve the world around us. 4-H is America’s largest youth development organization—empowering nearly six million young people across the U.S. with the skills to lead for a lifetime.” 

Cattaraugus County is a rural low income region of the State our biggest urban area is Olean.  I am amazed how hard the families in these farming communities work and their love and dedication to their trade. The numbers worldwide are staggering 1% of the population farms to need the other 99%. Many of our kids do not have an easy way to get to us. We are now taking our programs to them in a variety of venues, the biggest new trend being after school 4-H. This is a prefect and critical time period for kids. Many children are unsupervised during the hours of 3-6. 4-H can provide educational programming and our dedicated team to kids after school. 

These are difficult times for young people, each and every opportunity we can provide them teaches life skills, hope, generosity and leadership. Our team loves what they do each and every day as we  know, we as a community, can indeed make a difference in helping someone to change the path they may choose.