Cornell Cooperative Extension - About Extension

Welcome to Cornell Cooperative Extension

Cornell Cooperative Extension is a key outreach system of Cornell University with a strong public mission and an extensive local presence that is responsive to needs in New York communities. The Cornell Cooperative Extension educational system enables people to improve their lives and communities through partnerships that put experience and research knowledge to work.

The nationwide network of Cooperative Extension programs began in 1914 as a means of applying land-grant university research in understandable and useful ways to farmers and rural families. Today, Cooperative Extension serves urban, suburban, town and rural areas by offering programs in five broad areas: Agriculture & Food Systems; Children, Youth, & Families; Community & Economic Vitality; Environment & Natural Resources; and Nutrition & Health.

Cornell Cooperative Extension operates on the Cornell campus through the leadership of faculty and staff in departments in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Human Ecology, with contributions from the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Our county-based Cornell Cooperative Extension associations and the New York City office provide 56 portals to Cornell University. Extension educators in these locations form powerful community-university partnerships with the Cornell campus, and involve local constituents to address the issues and concerns of New Yorkers.

I invite you to learn more about how Cornell Cooperative Extension meets the needs of New Yorkers. This web site offers an overview and highlights for some of our many program areas. I hope you will bookmark our home page and please visit us regularly.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Administrative Strategic Directions

CCE Administrative Strategic Directions - 2008-2012 (pdf)