Putnam Cooperative Extension Raising Funds For New HQ At Tilly Foster

SOUTHEAST, NY — Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County is raising money to build a new home at Tilly Foster Farm, a project that is expected to cost $750,000.

The goal is to build a two-story barn that will fit into the current footprint of the old building and will blend into the aesthetics of the historic farm at Tilly Foster and provide office space to grow into and have a large work area for lectures, demonstrations, and conferences.

"We would love to break ground this spring," Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County Stefanie Hubert told Patch. "Not sure that is a reality as we still have much to raise."

The Cornell Barn and Education Center at the Putnam County park promises to offer exciting agricultural and animal educational programs for residents, specially local youth, said County Executive Kevin Byrne. In December, while he was a state Assemblyman, Byrne announced a $50,000 state grant he secured for the project.

"The project aligns with the initial intent of the county’s acquisition of the park, providing both recreational and educational opportunities for young residents of the area to learn about agriculture, farming and caring for animals," Byrne said last week. "I look forward to visiting our beautiful county park many more times in the future as this exciting new project moves forward."

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County started in 1944 and has been operating in the exact location since then — but the organization keeps growing. Its top three service areas are 4-H Youth Development, the Community Horticulture (Master Gardeners) Program and Strengthening Community and Economic Vitality. Since 2019, with new initiatives despite the pandemic, it has reached more than 110,000 "Friends of Extension."

The organization is seeking to crowdsource some of the cost of the new center. It has raised $245,000 in donations and pledges, according to the website. The rest of the revenue will come from other state grants, foundations, and private donations.

To contribute, click here.

"We are having a lot of fun with this project, and we are very excited to provide many different programs for our young people," said Rodney Dow, Chair of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County. "As everyone on the other side of the county knows, I’m an avid beekeeper. I am very excited to be able to continue our beekeeping program here in our new space."