Dear Friend of Extension,

Most of you are keenly aware of the constant challenges regarding resource development for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Fulton and Montgomery Counties.  Even though the Association continues to maintain county funding, pursues grant and contract funding, and conducts local fundraising efforts, financial challenges always exist.

 With that in mind, I offer several points to ponder:

• Newsletters and numerous other publications are provided free of charge to our mailing list.  We would appreciate your consideration of an annual contribution to support your publication subscriptions.  At this time there is no mandatory fee to subscribe.  We hope to keep it that way.
• If you are receiving publications from Cornell Cooperative Extension, and you move, please notify the office as soon as possible.  If these publications go to your old address and they are not forwarded, we receive them back in the mail and are charged for the return postage.
• Advertising revenue in the Town and Country newsletter has consistently decreased since 2004.  Please consider placing an ad for your business.  Or pass it along to those with whom you do business and suggest they advertise with us.
• The office has the capability to produce documents in PDF format.  We are working to make a variety of forms, publications, fact sheets and other frequently requested materials available on the website in this format.  We hope this will cut down on postage costs as well as make accessibility easier and more convenient.
• As revenue sources have remained flat or decreased, basic operational costs continue to increase.  For that reason, as well as our goal to remain in the lead regarding meeting the educational needs of our community, we have contracted with a grant writer to assist the Association in finding outside sources of funding.
• In an effort to make the most of what we have, we are always looking at a variety of ways to restructure resources.  This should allow us to make even better use of the talents and expertise of current staff members and volunteers, as well as cash and in-kind resources.

2007 marks the 93^rd year for Cooperative Extension in Montgomery County, and the 90^th year for Cooperative Extension in Fulton County.  Even though times have changed, the fundamentals have remained strong.  However, the primary sources of funding and the governmental loyalties have eroded.

We must look to the future of Extension rather than relying solely on its past.  We must be willing to embrace innovative ways to thrive rather than just tweaking what we are familiar with to survive.

All the best!

Marilyn J. Smith, Executive Director

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You can reach us at:
The Johnstown Hotel, 55 East Main Street, Suite 210, Johnstown, NY 12095
Telephone: 518-762-3909, Toll Free: 866-762-3909, Fax: 518-762-8155
E-mail: fultonmontgomery@cornell.edu
or: mastergardenerccefm@cornell.edu

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Fulton & Montgomery Counties provides equal program and employment opportunities.
The information given herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Cooperative Extension is implied.

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This website was created by Empire Web Pages on April 12, 2000.
This page was most recently updated on August 03, 2006.