Volunteer

Volunteers are very important to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Essex County. Over 1,200 individuals volunteer their time to a variety of Extension activities, contributing over 73,000 hours each year!

Through duties as diverse as teaching others to prune trees or make compost, answering callers' questions on consumer or gardening issues, mentoring young people as they acquire new skills, or serving as board members or on committees that guide our work, volunteers represent Extension's far-reaching roots in our community.

Cornell has great resources to get you started with volunteering and finding volunteer opportunities.  Check out this volunteer page for more!

Ongoing opportunities appear below, with contact names for additional information. Some programs may require specialized training to participate; upcoming training dates are listed where known.

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Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities

Prospective volunteers complete an application form. In addition, those who volunteer to work with vulnerable populations (children, individuals with disabilities, etc.) will be asked to consent to a criminal background screening at Cooperative Extension's expense, as a means of ensuring the safety and security both of our volunteers and of the people we serve through our programs.

Master Gardeners

Training is offered every few years; call for information. The Master Gardener program, offered throughout the U.S. and Canada, provides avid gardeners with many hours of intensive home horticulture training. In return, they share their knowledge and enthusiasm for gardening with others by volunteering to assist with garden lectures, exhibits, demonstrations, school and community gardening, phone diagnostic service, research, and many other projects. For more information, contact Mina Weymouth-Little at 518-962-4810 x416 or mcw252@cornell.edu. 

4-H Youth Programs

4-H offers youth aged 5-19 from throughout Essex County a variety of special interest clubs, afterschool programs, short-term enrichment offerings, a public speaking program, summer programs, and an annual youth-run Dairy Bar at the Essex County Fair. There are many short- and long-term opportunities for volunteer involvement, depending upon the skills you care to share and the time you wish to commit to volunteering.

Adirondack Harvest

Our Adirondack Harvest program helps direct market farmers with production and marketing education.  Volunteers are welcome on our advisory committee and sub committees.  We are always looking for input and help administering the program.  See the Adirondack Harvest website for more information about the program

Last updated March 16, 2023