4-H Welcomes Community Educator

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (November 30, 2023) – Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County welcomes Josie Allen as the new 4-H Development Educator organizing special interest programming. Josie grew up in Sherman, NY and was active in the Chautauqua County 4-H program for eleven years, as a member of the Sherman Kountry Kids, the Hog and Dairy programs. She received her Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences this past May from Penn State University. As a past 4-H member herself, she understands how important youth experiences are and is excited to be involved.

Josie’s position will enhance 4-H Youth Development in Chautauqua County in two relatively new programming areas for our residents. Ag In the Classroom is a long-standing program in the State of NY that CCE Chautauqua County was previously unable to offer. Now thanks to a new partnership with E2CC BOCES, CCE is able to offer Ag in the Classroom programming to any interested school in Chautauqua County. Josie’s first program will be our long-established Agricultural Literacy week in which agricultural industry volunteers read to all second-grade students across the entire county. Her efforts will no longer be limited to this volunteer program as she can offer course work and curriculum in a variety of agricultural education opportunities. Interested schools should contact CCE Chautauqua for more details.

Ms. Allen will also be offering out-of-school and after-school 4-H experiences to youth ages 5-19 years of age. This programming was previously offered under a grant from the Ralph C Wilson Foundation but with continued support form the Chautauqua County Legislature, CCE can continue to introduce youth who have not previously been involved in 4-H Programming to new innovative, short term, special interest, programs. This opportunity is allowing research based, positive youth development to be offered to libraries, home school groups, after school programs and youth in areas previously not served by our traditional 4-H programs.

Please join CCE in welcoming Josie Allen to our team. CCE Executive Director Emily Reynolds states, “we are pleased to have a former 4-H member, who is committed to life-long learning and sharing of her experiences. We know she will help us enrich the lives of youth and promote agricultural awareness.”

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 November 30, 2023