Mileststein marks another step forward in strengthening local youth through practical agriculture, leadership and sustainability education.
Ryan Hawthorn Ryan Hawthorn. To his left, CCEDC executive director Mary Lou Carolan. (Photo Curtesy by Christopher Valdez)
Millbrook, NY -A new Hydroponic garden is rooted at Dutchess Community College (DCC) thanks to a contribution by Central Hudtral Hudson from Central Hudson from 8,500 US dollars to support the Green Teen program from Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County (CCEDC). Financing will help to build a hydroponic greenhouse, an important feature of the newly expanded green teen initiative in Poughkeepsia.
On Thursday, April 24thTHAt 1:00 p.m. on the campus of the Dutch Community College (50 mascot Drive, Poughkeepsia, NY 12601) Falcon Hall (near the tennis courts) will connect Central Hudson -volunteers to celebrate the participants and community leaders, to celebrate the roof of the structure and to present the donation. This milestone marks a further step forward in strengthening local youth through practical agriculture, leadership and sustainability education.
Growing skills, nutritious communities
The Green Teen program provides urban young people with essential life and career skills through immersive experiences in agriculture, nutrition, entrepreneurship and community management. Since its foundation in Beacon, the program has offered the teenagers to distribute and distribute fresh products on peasant markets, food supply chambers and pop-up events.
In 2024, CCEDC expanded the green teenager to Poughkeepsia and founded a house on the DCC campus – a strategic place where many participating students can later complete a higher education. The Beacon program was proudly supported by Jonathan G. Jacobson (District 104) by New York State Assembly member, while the Poghkeepansion reflects its growing effects.
A victory for youth, community and sustainability
“This project illustrates the power of cooperation,” said Mary Lou Carolan, managing director of CCEDC. “The investment by Central Hudson not only supports one gardener promotes future managers, strengthens access to local food and builds up a more environmentally friendly, more resistant community. Every teenager is considered.
The Hydroponic greenhouse enables growth and further improvement in nutritional safety and educational opportunities for the participants all year round.
“The partnership of the Dutchess Community College with the Green Teen program and this new expansion acquires life in a way that reflects the best of the campus,” said Dr. Susan Rogers, chief of staff and vice president for institutional effectiveness at DCC. “Through sustainability, work-based learning and service learning, we create healthy, practical experience in cooperation with CCE and Central Hudson-in which the students not only grow academically and personally, but also return their community in a meaningful way.”
“We are deeply grateful to Central Hudson for her generous donation, which supports the new Hydroponic greenhouse of our Food Pantry Garden,” added Lacie Reilly, director of the Pantry at DCC. “This article extends our ability to expand fresh, healthy products all year round, and the greenhouse will serve as a pedagogical and practical resource for Poughkeepsia Green Teen program. We are honored to have Central Hudson as a partner in our mission to combat nutritional uncertainty and to support youth engagement in our region.”
Find out more and get involved
Further information on the Green Teen program or other CCEDC initiatives can be found at CCEDUTCHESS.ORG or by phone at 845-677-8223.
About Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County (CCEDC)
CCEDC provides research -based programs in agriculture, youth development, ecological sustainability, nutrition and more. The most important initiatives include Green Teen, Master Gardeners, Dutchess County 4-H, NY button in Todd Hill, family and consumer training and the mid-Hudson Clean Energy Hub.
Connection. Cooperation. Community. This is how CCEDC is growing!
–Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County