State Senator Lea Webb (D), who represents New York’s 52nd district, announced the allocation of $174,500 in grant funding to update 4-H Acres facilities, which are owned by the Cornell Cooperative Extension, on Friday morning.
The renovations for the 4-H property will be funded by the Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability and Technology Program, a New York State grant. Construction has already begun, and CCE hopes to complete the project by the end of the year.
CCE connects the University’s research and resources with the public through outreach programs across New York. The Tompkins County 4-H chapter is operated by CCE and serves about 4,000 students.
4-H is a national program that has supported youth learning and leadership in STEM, agriculture and civic engagement in the United States for over 120 years. 4-H stands for Head, Heart, Hands and Health.
"Whether it's based in agriculture [or] arts and crafts, [4-H is] not only helping youth to think about future careers, but they're also helping to unify our communities,” Webb said in her speech, adding that she attended 4-H camp as a child.
Cynthia Cave-Gaetani, CCE’s executive director, said that 4-H Acres is “a really special and really beautiful place to be,” but that over time “it's been worn down a little bit.”
The property has been a part of CCE for the last 70 years and the site hosts 4-H clubs, a youth fair, Primitive Pursuits — a wilderness skills education nonprofit — and many more programs.
Cave-Gaetani added that the money will fund upgrades that ensure 4-H “can continue providing services for another 70 years into our future.”
The CREST grant funding will update the 4-H Acres property to better serve Tompkins county through the renovation of three buildings and expanded parking.
The commercial kitchen in Kiwanis Hall is already under construction. The kitchen has been used by 4-H youth programs and is available for rent to small food businesses, saving them potentially large start-up costs, according to Webb.
CCE will also use a portion of the money to upgrade an old horse barn on the property into a multipurpose building and storm shelter for youth programs. The bathrooms in Bowker Hall will also be updated.
Webb represents Tompkins, Cortland and part of Broome Counties and serves on the New York State Senate Agricultural Committee. She encouraged organizations to apply for CREST grants, which are then approved by the legislature.
“These are our community dollars being reinvested right back into the communities,” Webb said. “Congratulations. Keep up the great work, and I look forward to being back in a year and seeing all the infrastructure that has been done.”
