Cornell University – Land-Grant Impacts

Institution

watering plants in a community garden

In New York, Extension program instills community pride, one block at a time

In Rochester, New York, a program led by Master Gardeners and Cornell Cooperative Extension has helped low-income residents transform more than 700 blocks in their neighborhoods into beautiful, blooming gardens that instill community pride. It all started about a decade ago with a Master Gardener volunteer who came up with the idea for the community beautification effort. The program, called [...]

Story, Youth, Family, and Communities 2024, Community Development/Engagement, Cornell University, Extension, New York, Northeast, Urban Agriculture

a group of teens water a recently planted tree

Youth for climate action empowers New York high school advocates for environmental change

Responding to climate change challenges, Cornell Cooperative Extension in New York initiated the Youth for Climate Action Program, empowering high school students to address environmental issues. The Youth for Climate Action Program equips high school advocates with tools to address climate challenges, fostering community engagement and promoting environmental awareness. In 2020, inspired by the Cornell Climate Stewards Program, Extension in [...]

Story, Youth, Family, and Communities 2024, Climate Resiliency, Cornell University, Extension, New York, Northeast, Workforce Development, Youth Development/4-H

kids swimming in a natural body of water

Strengthening families through engaging programs

Research and Cooperative Extension professionals in the Land-grant University System are dedicated to developing innovative programs that impact diverse communities nationwide. This work helps improve the lives of youths and families by connecting them with educational resources and engaging opportunities. Here are a few examples of that work: In Oklahoma, the Co-Parenting for Resilience program is helping parents effectively cope with [...]

Summary, Youth, Family, and Communities 2024, Child/Family Resilience, Community Development/Engagement, Connecticut, Cornell University, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion/Access (DEIA), Extension, Georgia, Human Health/Wellness, Indiana, Kansas, Kansas State University, New York, North Central, Northeast, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Purdue University, South Dakota, South Dakota State University, Southern, The University of Georgia, University of Connecticut, University of Vermont, Vermont, Youth Development/4-H

peppers being sliced on a cutting board

Supporting families with community nutrition programs

Youths and adults face a variety of health issues, from food insecurity to cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes. Cooperative Extension’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) serve low-income residents nationwide and help address these issues by helping participants eat healthy, shop on a budget and stay active. Here are a few examples [...]

Nutrition and Health, Summary 1994, 2024, Child/Family Resilience, Community Development/Engagement, Cornell University, Extension, Human Health/Wellness, Human Nutrition, Michigan, Michigan State University, Missouri, New York, North Central, Northeast, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Southern, Texas, Texas A&M University, University of Missouri

A hand holds carrots and a beet among a spread of other vegetables.

Getting more local, fresh produce into communities

Although fresh fruits and vegetables are key to health, difficulties abound in obtaining local produce. Land-grant institutions across the country work in a number of ways to promote growing produce as well as marketing and buying it locally. Here are a few examples of that work: In Georgia, the Fresh on DeK Mobile Farmers Market targets communities without access to a [...]

Nutrition and Health, Summary 2024, Community Development/Engagement, Cornell University, Extension, Food Security, Georgia, Human Health/Wellness, Human Nutrition, Idaho, Kansas, Kansas State University, Louisiana, Louisiana State University, New York, North Central, Northeast, Profitability/Competitiveness, South Dakota, South Dakota State University, Southern, The University of Georgia, University of Idaho, Urban Agriculture, Western

a honeybee sits in the middle of a flower

Pollinators support agriculture profitability

Bees, flies, moths and other pollinators are essential to the environment. Pollinators improve the quality and quantity of farmers’ crop yields, which adds an estimated $18 billion in crop production revenue annually. Pollinators also support healthy ecosystems needed for clean air, stable soils and diverse wildlife. However, both wild and domesticated pollinators are at risk, most notably many wild [...]

Environmental Stewardship, Summary 2024, Arkansas, Climate Resiliency, Colorado, Colorado State University, Community Development/Engagement, Cornell University, Ecosystem Services, Extension, Food Security, Forestry, New York, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Research, Southern, The Pennsylvania State University, University of Arkansas, University of Vermont, Vermont, Western, Workforce Development

forest with wildlife

Forestlands are fundamental for healthy ecosystems

Forests are vulnerable to climate change, but when managed sustainably they can play an important role in mitigating climate change. Healthy trees provide oxygen by removing carbon dioxide from the air through photosynthesis. The carbon is stored in wood, plants and soil, helping to reduce carbon emissions. Land-grant universities are supplying research and outreach to improve our forestlands. Here are [...]

Environmental Stewardship, Summary 2024, Climate Resiliency, Connecticut, Cornell University, Ecosystem Services, Extension, Forestry, Kentucky, New York, Northeast, Southern, University of Connecticut, University of Kentucky, University of Vermont, Vermont, Virginia, Virginia Tech

a body of water covered in lotus plants

Managing invasive species

Invasive species are organisms that are non-native to an ecosystem and whose introduction causes economic, social or environmental harm. Nearly every terrestrial, wetland and aquatic ecosystem in the United States has been invaded by non-native species, with economic losses estimated at $137 billion per year. Land-grant universities are leading the battle against invasive species. Here are a few examples of [...]

Environmental Stewardship, Summary 2024, Arkansas, Cornell University, Ecosystem Services, Extension, Indiana, Louisiana, Louisiana State University, New York, North Central, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Pest Management, Purdue University, Research, Southern, Texas, Texas A&M University, The Pennsylvania State University, University of Arkansas, Water Quality

two people look in a box of food at a food pantry

Food security resources for local communities

Limited access to healthy food options can lead to problems such as poor health, chronic illness, child development and family instability. Food pantries can help people who lack adequate food resources access a range of products locally. By connecting food pantries with resources, land-grant universities are helping communities better serve those in need. Here are a few examples of that [...]

Food Security, Summary 2024, Child/Family Resilience, Colorado, Colorado State University, Community Development/Engagement, Cornell University, Extension, Human Health/Wellness, Human Nutrition, Illinois, Louisiana, Louisiana State University, Michigan, Michigan State University, Minnesota, New York, North Central, Northeast, Southern, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Minnesota, Western

a group of scientists planting experimental crops

Reaching diverse farms and farmers

Extension educators and researchers across the Land-grant University System reach diverse farmers and farms through programming, information and accessible tools. Their work ensures farming resources are available to all individuals. Here are a few examples of that work: Minnesota Extension launched a pilot project to bring Minnesota-grown goat meat to halal customers. The collaboration has resulted in the first halal certified [...]

Agricultural Systems, Summary 2024, Animal Management/Performance/Welfare, Community Development/Engagement, Cornell University, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion/Access (DEIA), Extension, Food Safety, Food Systems, Georgia, Michigan, Michigan State University, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Central, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Pest Management, Research, Southern, Texas, Texas A&M University, The Pennsylvania State University, The University of Georgia, University of Minnesota, University of New Hampshire, Workforce Development

biodiesel fuel pump

Sustainable energy to meet growing demands

Non-renewable energy sources are limited, and demand is growing. Fossil-fuel based energy production and use contribute significantly to pollution and changes in our climate. Improving energy efficiency and developing renewable energy sources is essential to meeting growing demand and can lower energy bills, create new jobs and promote rural prosperity. Reducing reliance on fossil fuels can improve national security [...]

Energy and Bioproducts, Summary 2024, Biofuels/Bioproducts, California, Cornell University, Ecosystem Services, Energy Efficiency, Extension, Illinois, Iowa, Iowa State University, Kansas, Kansas State University, New York, North Central, Northeast, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Oregon, Oregon State University, Research, Southern, University of California, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Waste Management, Western

pesticides for spotted lanternflies

Bilingual Spray Safe, Spray Well recordings provide permanent resource for pesticide safety

Beginning organic growers, urban farmers and Spanish-speaking vegetable producers have been historically underserved by traditional cooperative Extension efforts to support agricultural risk management, especially related to safe and effective pesticide use. Production systems commonly used by beginning organic growers and urban farmers are often smaller, more intensive and less dependent on chemical control strategies for pest management than larger [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Cornell University, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion/Access (DEIA), Extension, New York, Northeast, Organic Agriculture, Pest Management, Urban Agriculture, Workforce Development

sweet potato root galls

Land-grant universities nationwide work together to sustainably manage nematodes

Nematodes are tiny, usually microscopic, roundworms that are incredibly common and widespread. They account for 80% of all individual animals on Earth. Some nematode species are beneficial to agriculture, while others have major detrimental impacts. Plant-parasitic nematodes can lead to poor soil and low crop yields. In the United States, annual economic losses due to nematode infection of crops [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story California, Connecticut, Cornell University, Florida, Hawaiʻi, Michigan, Michigan State University, New York, North Central, Northeast, Pest Management, Research, Soil Health, Southern, Tennessee, University of California, University of Connecticut, University of Florida, University of Hawaiʻi, University of Tennessee, Western

plants growing in a raised garden

Urban farm learning lab providing access to fresh, healthy food options

The Cornell Cooperative Extension Oneida Urban Farm Learning Lab in New York provides educational programming and resources to aspiring farmers and growers who face small business startup barriers within urban communities. The program addresses increasing interest in urban farming in the cities of Utica and Rome. It helps community members overcome challenges such as space, knowledge, experience and money [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Cornell University, Extension, New York, Northeast, Profitability/Competitiveness, Urban Agriculture

closeup photograph of pile of strawberries

Breeding crops tailored for the future

Food crops are constantly under attack by plant diseases and pests that result in losses in crop quantity and quality. Declines in crop health can lead to food waste and threaten global food security. Land-grant universities are breeding plants that are resistant to pests and disease for greater resilience and sustainability. Here are a few examples of that work: Researchers in [...]

Agricultural Systems, Summary 2024, Alabama, Auburn University, Breeding/Genomics, Cornell University, Crop Management, Extension, Food Systems, Georgia, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New York, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Research, Southern, The Pennsylvania State University, The University of Georgia, University of New Hampshire, Washington, Washington State University, Western

field with rows of crops

Healthy soils sustain food security

Researchers at the nation’s land-grant universities are studying the health of soils to increase agricultural production and decrease the use of agrochemicals used to grow food. Their work will contribute to our ability to meet the world’s growing demand for food. Here are a few examples of that work: Agricultural researchers in Pennsylvania are studying how soil salinity and soil nitrogen [...]

Agricultural Systems, Summary 2024, Climate Resiliency, Connecticut, Cornell University, Crop Management, Extension, Food Security, Georgia, New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New York, North Central, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Research, Soil Health, Southern, The Pennsylvania State University, The University of Georgia, University of Connecticut, University of Wisconsin, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Western, Wisconsin