In Cattaraugus County, Cornell Cooperative Extension empowers residents to enhance their lives and strengthen their communities through partnerships that bring practical experience and cutting-edge research to work—right here at home.
Our Educational Focus in Cattaraugus County:
- Building vibrant communities by strengthening the economic and social vitality of our towns and villages.
- Supporting youth and families by fostering the skills, resilience, and character needed for success in today’s world.
- Empowering agriculture and food systems to grow and thrive, ensuring sustainable and prosperous opportunities for local farmers and food enterprises.
- Promoting environmental stewardship by improving the quality, sustainability, and resilience of our natural resources and built environments.
- Enhancing health and wellness by promoting better nutrition, safety, and overall community health for people of all ages.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cattaraugus County is a subordinate governmental agency with an educational mission that operates under a form of organization and administration approved by Cornell University as agent for the State of New York. It is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The association is part of the national cooperative extension system, an educational partnership between County, State, and Federal governments. As New York’s land grant university, Cornell administers the system in this state. Each Cornell Cooperative Extension association is an independent employer that is governed by an elected Board of Directors with general oversight from Cornell. All associations work to meet the needs of the counties in which they are located as well as state and national goals.
People support decisions they help to make, and Cornell Cooperative Extension believes strongly in shared leadership through locally elected Boards of Directors and active program development committees.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Cattaraugus County is governed by a 11 member Board of Directors that consists of 9 elected community volunteers; 2 voting members appointed by the Cattaraugus County Legislature and a representative from Cornell University. It includes people from towns throughout Cattaraugus County who bring their knowledge of community needs and concerns to the governance of this organization. Our board sets policy, hires staff, prioritizes educational programs and works with Extension's educational staff to ensure program effectiveness.
CCE Cattaraugus County is delighted to have active and diverse Board of Directors and Program Committees, which are key to achieving strong and meaningful community impacts! If, as you read more about how we are governed, you believe you have a contribution to make to our programming as a volunteer, please get in touch! We welcome your input and ideas!
2025 Board of Directors
Beth Falk, President
Lisa Pawlowski, Secretary
Tim Bigham, Treasurer
Don Bently
Brandon Clayson
Richard Helmich
Jennifer Herman
Norm Marsh
Lisa Mussal
Julie Rublee
Sharon Wild
Renee Smith, Cornell Representative
- January 14, 2026
- March 11, 2026
- April 8, 2026
- November 11, 2026
The programs and services provided by Cornell Cooperative Extension Cattaraugus County (CCE Cattaraugus County) helps residents with family, gardening, consumer and nutrition, agriculture, and environmental concerns that are of high priority for them -- programs that, in many cases, are not available from any other source! From offering quality afterschool and enrichment activities for youth in rural areas, to providing up-to-date agriculture information for local farmers, or helping families learn how to create a home budget or fix nutritious and tasty meals, CCE Cattaraugus County is an important resource for residents of our entire county. Your support helps CCE Cattaraugus County to do more and to reach more -- youth, adults and families in our communities -- with high-quality, research-based educational programs they can trust!
Your Support Stays Here in Cattaraugus County! Cornell Cooperative Extension Cattaraugus County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and your cash or in-kind gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Your gift will be acknowledged by a letter that you may use for tax purposes, and your name will be listed among donors in our published Annual Report unless you request otherwise. Gifts may be made to our general fund (to be spent in the area of highest need) or may be directed to a program of interest.
Checks may be made payable to "CCE Cattaraugus County" and mailed to Cornell Cooperative Extension Cattaraugus County, 28 Parkside Drive, Ellicottville NY 14731, or you may donate via PayPal.
Location
28 Parkside Drive
Ellicottville, New York 14731
Contact
Phone: (716) 699-2377
Fax: (716) 699-5701
cattaraugus [at] cornell.edu (cattaraugus[at]cornell[dot]edu)
Office Closures
Our office will be closed in observance of the following holidays:
- June 19, 2026
- July 3, 2026
- October 12, 2026
- September 7, 2026
- November 11, 2026