Cornell Cooperative Name Wahlstrom to New Position

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (March 11, 2025) – Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County is pleased to announce Lynne Wahlstrom as the new 4-H Youth Development Educator and Program Supervisor.

CCE Chautauqua has been undergoing an internal capacity study which has led to growth and restructuring. Wahlstrom was previously involved with the Chautauqua County 4-H Program as both a 10-year member and as an adult volunteer before moving to Indiana to pursue a career with Purdue University Extension as a 4-H Youth Development Educator. Most recently she was filling a vacant position within the program on a temporary basis. CCE is thrilled to add her to the team as the Youth Development Supervisor. CCE Executive Director Emily Reynolds states, “the staff, board and volunteers of CCE are excited to have Lynne’s experience, enthusiasm and unwavering dedication to program improvement as part of the CCE team in Chautauqua.” CCE Chautauqua is currently hiring to fill vacant and new positions in both the 4-H Youth Development Program and the Agricultural program.

Wahlstrom attributes much of her success today to her past experiences in the Chautauqua County 4-H Youth Development Program. Competing in Public Presentations made her comfortable speaking in front of a crowd, a skill that many fear. Learning to keep financial records for her livestock taught her how to budget and manage money responsibly. Committing to a program, meeting the requirements of the program, and being responsible for her successes while learning from her failures demonstrated to future employers that she was responsible and could be relied upon.

Not only did she learn valuable life skills, but she also continues to use the knowledge she gained to pursue her hobbies. A lifelong lover of creatures, she ran a livestock farm that was home to horses, goats, rabbits, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, peafowl, and guineas, many of which moved back to New York with her. She also trains and shows dogs, makes, and sells goat milk soaps, and makes delicious treats with her 30+ year old sourdough starter, all her hobbies she learned in the Chautauqua County 4-H program.

She is excited to be back close to family working for the program she loves and is looking forward to continuing to get to know the 4-H families and volunteers over the coming months.

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 March 11, 2025