Cornell Cooperative Extension

Sullivan County
CCE Sullivan County home economics educational gathering, year unknown
Image by CCE Sullivan
CCE Community Group shows off its quilt, year unknown
Image by CCE Sullivan
CCE homemaker demonstrates cooking, year unknown
Image by CCE Sullivan

CCE Community Groups

Since 1913, Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County has offered residents useful information and free or low-cost educational programs as part of its unique mission to connect local communities with the most reliable and up-to-date research being done at Cornell and other land grant colleges and universities across the nation.

In 1917, the Sullivan County County Home Bureau was added, overseen by the Farm Bureau Executive Committee, and its first Home Economist started work. The Home Bureau offerings included classes in clothing and millinery construction, health and nutrition, community projects, and civics ("to bring the women to a realization of the importance of voting"). 

Today, home, family, and community development is still an important mission area for CCE. What was once homemaker groups has since transformed into community groups and CCE Sullivan is the last association with active groups comprised of a diverse individuals with many different ages, interests, and talents in this ever-changing world who are constantly striving to acquire skills through methods of research-based information from Cornell University and CCE. As dedicated volunteers, these groups network with local agencies, provide community service, raise funding, and work through CCE to enrich the lives of our families and communities.

Want more facts? Cooperative Extension history can be found on our About Us page.


To maintain the highest ideals of home life; to count children the most important of crops; to so mother them that their bodies may be sound, their minds clear, their spirits happy, and their characters generous; to place service above comfort; to let loyalty to high purposes silence discordant notes; to let neighborliness supplant hatreds; to be discouraged never; To lose self in generous enthusiasms; to extend to the less fortunate a healing hand; to believe one's community may become the best of communities; and to cooperate with others for the common ends of a more abundant home and community life. This is the offer of the Home Bureau to the home maker of today.

-Dr. Ruby Green Smith, Home Bureau Creed

Last updated February 6, 2024

Home & Family

What are they?

A CCE Community Group in Sullivan County is a group of local women and men who meet together periodically to teach one another new skills and concepts, to undertake community projects, to share mutual concerns, and to enhance their knowledge through research-based educational programs.

Sullivan County Homemaker Groups came into being in the late 1960’s as a replacement to the Home Demonstration Groups, which were formed in the early 1950’s. Now known as Community Groups, they provide their own organizational leadership, and determine their own programs.

Community Groups offer a variety of opportunities during the year. Usually there is a monthly meeting with an educational program. Occasionally, guest speakers are brought in.

New members add their talent and expertise to the existing group’s enrollment. Enrolled members receive the Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County monthly newsletter, Extension Connection.

CCE Community Groups provide friendship, support, stimulation and growth for people who seek to improve their knowledge, skills, family development, and community.