New director of Cattaraugus County's Cornell Cooperative Extension is introduced

By RICK MILLER Olean Times Herald Jul 26, 2023 LITTLE VALLEY — The new executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cattaraugus County was introduced to Cattaraugus County lawmaker Wednesday. Legislator Norman Marsh, R-Little Valley, chairman of the Development and Agriculture Committee introduced Kelly McDonald of Findley Lake in Chautauqua County. McDonald said later she has been in the healthcare field for the past 25 years. “I love to work with people and build networks,” she said A master gardener, McDonald said she “is real excited to be here and grow with these programs.” She said she’s been on the job for the past seven days, getting tips from Jocelyn Sikorski, who has served as interim director for the past several months since the retirement of Richard Rivers. Sikorski’s last day is Friday. She is executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, and has been splitting her time between the two groups. Sikorski gave a brief report to lawmakers on Cooperative Extension programs. There are more than 300 4-H members in 16 clubs. To expand programs in the fall, officials are looking at after school programs, she said. Cooperative Extension also hopes to expand nutrition programs like the Farm-To-School program in Olean City Schools last year. The district has reapplied for the grant. The Salamanca Central School District is also applying for the Farm-To-School program, Sikorski said. The program is designed to expose young people to local produce, she said. It not only helps improve students diet, it also helps local producers.

Last updated February 8, 2024