4-H Community Service Day at 4-H Acres

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (May 14, 2024) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s 4-H Youth Development Program gathered up a large group of youth to give back to an organization that’s sole purpose is to serve Chautauqua County 4-H youth programming.

4-H Foundation (a separate entity from Cornell Cooperative Extension’s 4-H program) is made up of a group of volunteers that help maintain the property of a 17-acre lot in the heart of Stockton, NY. A short history on how Chautauqua County 4-H Foundation was established, dates back to 1946. Margaret B. Thum, of South Stockton, presented 4-H a piece of land in Lakewood (currently, in 2024, the site of Runnings) for the purpose of outdoor 4-H activities. Mrs. Thum's husband, Arthur, was the 4-H leader of the South Stockton Rangers for 15 years. Kenneth Coombs, the county's first 4-H Agent worked with Mrs. Thum in presenting the land to 4-H. For a number of reasons, it was not possible to develop that land as a 4-H site. In the late 1950's, reportedly, the land was offered for sale and even one attempt was made to give it away. However, there were no takers.

In 1967, the Chautauqua County 4-H Foundation, Inc. was established to receive, maintain, and hold bequests, gifts, or property to be used to best meet the needs and advance the best interests of 4-H work throughout Chautauqua County. 4-H agent James Gould was instrumental in bringing this concept to reality.

In 1969, the land was finally sold, and the funds were presented to the newly created Foundation. Six years later in 1975, through the efforts of Charles Carlson, a Foundation member, and Extension Agent R. Thomas Devereaux, the Chautauqua County 4-H Foundation purchased the 17-acre piece in Stockton to serve as a county-wide site for outdoor 4-H activities. It was the intent of the Foundation to purchase and own the land, however, the development of the property would be left up to the special interest groups or organizations desiring to use the site to be known as "4-H Acres".

Over the years there has been a lot of volunteer turnover and committee changes for the 4-H Foundation. During the tough times of COVID, 4-H Foundation could not give 4-H Acres the attention it deserved. Since the end of the pandemic 4-H Foundation has been reestablished by a new group of volunteers.

During the building back process, the 4-H Horse Program has been maintaining most of the upkeep of the grounds with the help of the 4-H Dog program, but this year we saw a lot of newbies step up to the plate! On May 7th, youth and their families from the horse project, dog project, Teen Ambassador program, and some club members all pitched in and accumulated almost 120 community service hours! Long-time 4-H Volunteer and the new Foundation President, Jan Schauman, was in awe when she arrived on that Tuesday, saying, “It looks gorgeous! Everyone pitched in to make the work a bit easier to handle. 4-H kids and families are the best! We are [Foundation] going to work hard to turn 4-H Acres into a destination for Chautauqua County 4-H animal projects and clubs.” Our program cannot wait to see 4-H Acres continue to grow, especially as we expose more families to the beautiful space, we have access to thanks to the Foundation Committee’s efforts!

Special recognition goes to the town of Stockton Highway Department and the Stockton Fire Department for the continued support of 4-H Acres. For more ways to give back to 4-H Acres to help keep the space maintained for future 4-H events, contact Jan Schauman at janschauman1949@gmail.com on what ways you can donate to the cause!

The 4-H Youth Development Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a community based educational organization, affiliated with Cornell University, Chautauqua County Government, the NYS SUNY system, and the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Last updated May 14, 2024