Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - A 100-year-old program is in danger in Onondaga County. Funding cuts have hit hard at the Cornell Cooperative Extension and the 4-H program in particular.
Funding from the county has been sliced from more than $350,000 dollars in 2009, to $150,000 this year. Additionally, a paid position that leads the volunteer organization has gone unfilled.
4-H is a youth development program that, in part, teaches children a wholesome lifestyle. After all, the "H's" in 4-H stand for "head, hands, heart and health."
Now, Richard Halpin of the Cornell Cooperative Extension says the program needs another "H" word: Help.
"Funding is everyone's challenge right now, and we're not excluded from that at all," said Halpin.
The 4-H program is run largely by volunteers, with Halpin's office providing the organization support to keep things operating. He says that his organization is hard-pressed by funding cuts, and they are tickling down to 4-H. "Right now we're in a deficit situation and we know it," he said.
In Onondaga County 4-H is involved in a variety of programs, but most notably an equine program that involves more than 100 local children.
Katie Murphy is a volunteer with the program, who grew up in a 4H and now has two daughters that take part. She says it has helped her balance life on the farm and a job away from it. "It's life experiences. They're not sitting in front of a video game or computer; they're out in the barn. There's a lot of kids who don't have animals and this is their only opportunity," she said.
"4-H, like everything else, will have to adjust to changing times," Halpin said. "But its role is crucial - that positive youth development that families can participate in."
Richard Halpin also says that, despite big budget cuts, the Cooperative Extension is working hard to keep the impact on other programs to a minimum.
