NORWICH – The last 12 months have been a time for growth for a local organization dedicated to providing informational and educational resources to area residents in the areas of agriculture, horticulture, natural resources, nutrition and youth development.

“We’re pretty happy with the growth that we’ve had,” reported Ken Smith, executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County. For more than 90 years, CCE Chenango has offered programs and partnerships for those looking to improve their lives and their communities.

According to Smith, the goal for 2010 was to build on the organization’s strengths and grow its programs. Last month at the non-profit’s annual meeting, he reported on the progress made over the last year and the momentum they’ve built which will carry them forward. All of which he said was accomplished without spending beyond their means.

CCE Chenango’s 2010 budget totaled $1,002,177. It derives its funding through a combination of county, state and federal sources as well as through grants and other revenue sources.

“Balanced budgets aren’t easy to do these days,” said Smith, as he reported the organization was indeed “in the black.”

One of the ways CCE Chenango was able to expand its offerings while staying within its budget was by securing additional grant funding for current and future projects. Most notably they have secured a $294,000 Eat Smart NY grant to expand program offerings to youth and families; and a $10,000 New York State 4-H Foundation grant to expand after school programs and other educational outreach programs with Chenango County schools; and a State Wildlife Grant.

“We feel fortunate to have that operate out of our office,” said Smith of the State Wildlife Grant, a Congressionally-mandated program “designed to protect and preserve habitats for wildlife species” in need of conservation.

“There are a lot of excellent things coming out of this project,” said Rich Taber, who serves as the SWG coordinator. The scope of the project, he explained, includes developing wildlife outreach programs, GIS mapping and creating a plan for the DEC to implement to help protect those species which are determined to be in danger. According to Taber, this includes a number of the 32 amphibians, 39 reptiles, 375 birds, and 90 mammals which call New York home.

Horticulture and Natural Resources Educator Rebecca Hargrave and Agriculture and 4-H Educator Janet Pfromm each shared successes in their areas, as did Community Gardens Coordinator Stacie Edick and Eat Smart New York Coordinator Betty Clark.