Cooperative Extension puts a wealth of useful, research-based information at your fingertips!

In addition to what you'll find here on our website, we offer free or low-cost workshops on topics that range from how to start an organic garden to making a home spending plan. Explore our links, check out our upcoming events, then give us a call or visit us in Hudson or in Acra to learn more. We're here to help, with information -- and people -- you can trust!

4-H 90^th Anniversary Celebration Dinner on October 26

The public is invited to help celebrate 90 years of 4-H in Columbia and Greene Counties by attending the  4-H 90 th Anniversary Celebration dinner on Saturday, October 26 at the Churchtown Firehouse on Rte. 27 in Claverack. It begins with a social time at 5PM followed with dinner at 6PM and a program. Chef Max Clement, a local 4-H alumni, will provide the starters while Renner’s Creative Celebrations from Germantown is cooking up the barbecue-style dinner. Baker Annie Hanson, a past 4-H club leader, has plans for an outstanding cake dessert. Local farms and beverages will be highlighted throughout the menu.

Music will be provided by soprano Nellie Rustick Meier from Claverack, also a local 4-H alumni.

During the program individuals and organizations influential in supporting the growth of 4-H programming – throughout the counties and into schools and community organizations – will be recognized.

It was in 1929 when $3,000 was set aside for the Greene County 4-H program and $4,300 was set aside for Columbia County’s 4-H program. Each county hired their first 4-H agent – E.G. Brougham in Greene County and Robert Dyer in Columbia County. What started with forty 4-H clubs throughout both counties has now grown to include not only 4-H clubs but also educational programs in schools, libraries, and community centers reaching over 8,000 youth in 2018. Currently three full-time staff are employed to support these efforts. But, more importantly, over three hundred community volunteers help out as 4-H club leaders, project educators, mentors, evaluators, committee members and fundraisers.

Last updated October 21, 2019