NORWICH – 4-H continues to be one Cornell’s most successful programs locally, but its executive director wishes they could do even more. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County provided a review of agricultural programming to the county’s Agriculture, Buildings and Grounds Committee Tuesday.

Ken Smith, the agency’s executive director, told the committee many of the programs continue to be successful in Chenango County, 30 percent of which is farmland. CCE, which has existed since 1914, reaches out to local farmers and rural families in order to help educate and facilitate growth.

“4-H is one of our most important programs,” said Smith. 4-H is a national youth development organization that, locally, aims to inform youth about agricultural opportunities.

Cattle judging, livestock teams and tractor safety are some of the most successful aspects of the local 4-H program, according to Smith. Recently, one of the livestock teams won the regional Horse Bowl.

Children and young adults aren’t the only ones benefiting from CCE. Smith’s report indicated that an extensive dairy and field crop team works with farmers to “improve profitability” and “reduce impact on the Chesapeake watershed.” The team consults with individual farmers in order to provide advice and information about new regulations being considered by the Department of Environmental Conservation.