Mission & Initiatives

OUR MISSION:

Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County enables people to improve their lives and communities by bringing local experience and research-based solutions together.

OUR VISION:

Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County creates measurable change in order to positively affect Agriculture, Families, Youth, Environment, and Economic Development within communities.

OUR STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:

Agricultural Sustainability – To encourage farmers in Orange County to adopt proven production and/or business management practices that have been shown to improve profitability.

Enhancing the Environment – To improve the quality and sustainability of the environment and natural resources by promoting environmental stewardship, sound decision-making and best management practices.

Strengthening Youth and Families – To empower youth and families to reach their fullest potential through experiential learning opportunities that develop critical life skills, foster civic responsibility and strengthen the community.

Economic Development – To effectively utilize the research based resources and appropriate local partnerships to educationally program and to positively impact Orange County economic vitality.

OUR VALUES:

Since 1915, Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County has linked university research, knowledge, and experiential learning to the needs and issues facing Orange County residents. We are committed to the following:

Excellence - We build on individual competence, credibility and integrity to deliver innovative programs of the highest quality.

Responsiveness - We respond in a timely, efficient and resourceful manner to issues that affect the county.

Collaboration - We optimize resources through partnerships with other Orange County agencies and organizations.

Results-oriented Programming - We deliver programs that are valued by people because they have gained knowledge they didn't previously have.

The Future - We anticipate future needs and develop appropriate programming to meet the needs.

Volunteerism - We respect and depend upon volunteers to multiply program efforts and to help provide organizational leadership.

Inclusiveness - We embrace diversity in faculty, staff and learners. We respect diversity of opinion and take pride in the variety of our programming.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTOR'S GOVERNING POLICY:

We will govern proactively with an emphasis on vision, encouragement of diversity, strategic leadership, clear distinction of Board, and Executive Director roles, collective decision making, with a future focus, and a strong linkage to the people of Orange County.

Last updated March 3, 2020