Donna Brooks
Executive Director
Contact: dlb42@cornell.edu
Donna Brooks is the Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Otsego
County. She has a background in administration and human services, particularly in
senior programs. She served as Chief of Senior Services for the State of Nevada,
Division for Aging Services and locally was Executive Director of Senior Services of
Utica.
Donna grew up in Herkimer County and lived in Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada for 20
years. Her Extension background includes being a Nutrition and 4-H Assistant for Clark
County Cooperative Extension in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ms. Brooks has a Masters Degree in Home Economics and Education from the
University of Nevada, Reno. She and her husband, Richard, live in Springfield Center.
David Balbian
Dairy/Livestock Management Specialist
Contact: drb23@cornell.edu or 1-518-762-3909
Dave Balbian is the dairy/livestock management specialist with the Central New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops team. He received his Bachelors Degree in Agriculture Education from Cornell University and his Masters from the College of Saint Rose. Prior to his appointment, Balbian was a Territory Manager for Nutrena Feeds out of the Port of Albany Mill covering six counties. He has had previous extension experience working for Cooperative Extension in Saratoga and Rensselaer counties as the dairy agent.
David's interests within the dairy industry include:
- Dairy Nutrition
- Improvements or advances in forage digestibility
- Cost-effective facilities
Donald Beebe
Maintenance
Don came to CCE in November, 1992 and does the maintence and repair work for the
Association. He and his wife, Roberta, live in Springfield Center. Don enjoys working
at CCE because he says that the Association has a lot of good people to work with. He
loves outdoor sports such as snowmobiling and fishing. He and his wife share 6 children
and 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Cindi Christman
Nutrition Teaching Assistant
Contact: ltc6@cornell.edu
Cindi Christman has worked with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Otsego County as a Nutrition Teaching Assistant since April 2001. She is currently completing a Bachelors of Science Degree in Marketing at SUNY Empire State College, and plans to be finished in December 2002. She has lived in Otsego County for 32 years, working as the news director of a local radio station and in the food service industry. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Opportunities for Otsego. She believes strongly that the ultimate goal of agriculture is the consumption of healthy products, and tries to incorporate that information into her presentations to consumers through FSNEP lessons, Farmers' Markets, and agricultural events.
David G. Cox
Agriculture Extension Educator
Contact: dgc23@cornell.edu
David Cox serves both as the Agriculture Extension Educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension and as the Agriculture Development Specialist for Otsego County. He shares responsibility for the development of educational programming in and about agriculture as well as the implementation of the Otsego County Agriculture & Farmland Protection Plan. David has a diverse background in graphic arts, advertising, landscape design & construction, and nursery retail operations, and recently has completed a Bachelors in Plant Science from SUNY Cobleskill and his Masters in Agriculture Education from Cornell University.
Mary-Ellen Crawford
Program Assistant
Contact: mc85@cornell.edu
Mary-Ellen Crawford came to Cornell Cooperative Extension with a strong background
in 4-H. She was a founder of her 4-H Club, the Kenoza Lake Hummingbirds in 1957
when she was in 5th grade and her mother was the 4-H Club leader. Mary-Ellen went on
to be the organizational leader of the Mt. Vision Hill Billies when her children were 4-H
age and then joined the county 4-H staff in 1988 after working 18 years in agribusiness.
She graduated from SUNY Oneonta with a Bachelor's Degree in Home Economics Education. Mary-
Ellen also weaves baskets, makes bees wax candles and has edited two books,
Recollections of Mt. Vision with Charlie Hoose and Mem'ries of the Butternut Valley
with Robert George.
Melinda Crofford
Nutrition Teaching Assistant
Contact: mjc@cornell.edu
Melinda Crofford joined our nutrition staff July 2001. Her Bachelor's Degree is
in Elementary Education from Plattsburgh State. She has taught
developmentally disabled teenagers and most recently taught adults
tariff procedures for Northwest Airlines.
Her hobbies are cooking and the outdoors and spending time with her family.
Darlene Crowe
Horticulture Program Assistant
Contact: dec28@cornell.edu
Darlene joined the staff of Otsego County CCE on November 25, 2001 as Horticulture
Program Assistant. Responsibilities include providing information and programs for
consumer home-grounds and community horticulture, coordinating the county Master
Gardener Program, and aiding in 4-H horticulture programs.
Darlene comes to Cooperative Extension after 16 years in the commercial horticulture
industry as a grower of annuals and perennials. She earned an Accociate's Degree in Medical Lab
Technology from SUNY Morrisville and a Bachelor's Degree in biology from SUNY Albany.
In her leisure time, she enjoys reading, gardening, cross-country skiing and baking (and
eating) rich desserts.
Dianne Dirig
Extension Resource Educator
Dianne's first position following graduate school was Program Assistant for Cornell Cooperative Extension in Otsego County. After a 25 year "intermission", she returned in April 2003 as an Educator specializing in food and nutrition. Prior to returning to CCE she was with Opportunities for Otsego, Inc. for 17+ years as Nutrition Educator (WIC) and Nutrition Specialist (Head Start). She has served on the FSNEP Advisory Committee and now works with our three Nutrition Teaching Assistants to offer nutrition education to Otsego County residents.
Dianne has a B.S. and M.S. in Education/Home Economics from SUNY College at Oneonta. Dianne resides in Wells Bridge with her husband and two sons.
Nancy Dulkis
Youth Empowerment Coordinator
Contact: nld22@cornell.edu
Nancy Dulkis has worked as the Coordinator of the Reality Check anti-tobacco youth empowerment program since July 2001. Nancy has a broad background in health and human services which includes over 10 years as a Registered Nurse and Case Manager in the field of developmental disabilities, and 8 years as Director of a rural social service agency serving women and children. She earned her Accociate's Degree in Nursing from SUNY Health Science in Syracuse and Bachelor's Degree in Health Management Services from SUNY College of Utica/Rome.
In her free time Nancy likes to read non-fiction books, spend fun time with her six nephews and nieces and work on the family farm in Maryland, NY.
Kevin Ganoe
Field Crop Specialist and Team Leader
Contact: khg2@cornell.edu or 1-315-866-7920
Field crop specialist and team leader. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Plant Science and his Master's of Science in Agronomy from Penn State University. Kevin was previously the field crops agent for Erie and Crawford counties in Pennsylvania for thirteen years. He also worked as a research aid to the corn specialist at Penn State. At Penn State was responsible for the Corn Hybrid Testing Program that evaluated the performance of commercial hybrids on farms throughout Pennsylvania. He also helped conduct research that led to the recommendations made to farmers on corn production.
Kevin's interests within the dairy industry include:
- Forage Crops with particular emphasis on species selection and forage quality
- Integrated Pest Management
- Nutrient Management
- Management Intensive Grazing
Vicki Hazzard
Administrative Assistant
Contact: vlh4@cornell.edu
Vicki Hazzard joined the staff of CCE as an Administrative Assistant in July 2000. Vicki has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood from SUNY Cobleskill and a Bachelor's Degree in Childhood Studies from Plymouth State in New Hampshire. She resides in Schoharie County with her two children ages 1 & 11.
Zaid Kurdieh
Farm Business Management Specialist
Contact: zik1@cornell.edu or 1-607-334-5841
Zaid is the farm business management specialist with the Central New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops team. He received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Wyoming and a Master's of Business Administration from the University of South Dakota. Zaid worked six years as an Agricultural Management Specialist for FSA/FmHA in Huron & Mitchell, South Dakota assisting large farm clientele develop business plans and meet credit needs.
Zaid's interests within the dairy industry include:
- Risk Management/Futures Market
- Labor Management
- Cash Flow Analysis
- Use of Computers on Farms
Vickie Konchar
Nutrition Teaching Assistant
Contact: vlk2@cornell.edu
Vickie has worked at Cornell Cooperative Extension as a Nutrition Teaching Assistant since June 2000. She lives near Milford with her husband and two of her three children. Vickie has lived in the Milford area all of her life. She graduated from Milford High School, as did her father, husband and 3 children. After working for Bassett Healthcare for 18 years she came to CCE in the Food Sense Program to assist teaching Otsego County residents about nutrition and health issues. She enjoys cooking, searching the internet, knitting, walking and reading.
Rich McCaffery
CCE Educator
Contact: rmm13@cornell.edu
Rich McCaffery is a Cooperative Extension Educator with major responsibility with the
4-H Youth Development Program. He has been employed by the Otsego Association
since July 1974 and received his bachelors degree in Adult & Community Education
from Cornell University. Rich resides in Cooperstown with his wife Debbie & teenage
son Jeremy. He is involved in a variety of community organizations.
Eileen Powers
Project Coordinator
Contact: ecp25@cornell.edu
Eileen is the Project Coordinator for Family Ties, a kinship care program. She is a native of Otsego County and currently resides in Cooperstown. Prior to joining the CCE staff, Eileen worked as a Medical Service caseworker for the Cortland County Department of Social Services and was a supervisor in Family and Children's Services. She has worked as a trainer educator for potential foster parents. Eileen holds a Bachelors degree from SUNY Cortland and has done graduate work at SUNY Albany.
Madelyn Sanchez
Office Manager
Contact: ms112@cornell.edu
Originally from New York City, Madelyn moved to this area six years ago. She was a Registered Associate for a brokerage firm for 13 years. She is the mother of a 4-year old and resides in Fly Creek. Madelyn was hired five years ago as an Administrative Assistant and has been Office Manager for just over one year. She loves her work and helping to bring knowledge to the residents of Otsego County.
Michelle Sperbeck
Administrative Assistant
Contact: ms323@cornell.edu
Michelle Sperbeck was hired by Cornell Cooperative Extension in February 2001 as an Administrative Assistant. Previously, she was a registered daycare provider for 5 years. She worked part time for 10 years at ARC and per diem at YAP. She is a graduate of Herkimer County Community College with an Associates Degree in Travel & Tourism, with an emphasis on Hotel Management.
Michelle has lived in Otsego County her entire life. She currently lives in Schenevus, with her husband (of 14 years) Jody and their two children, Shawn Ray who is 12 and Brittney who is 10 who keep them very busy with their sporting events.
In her spare time, she is a Party/Wedding Planner. She enjoys creating on the computer, reading, sewing and baking/cooking.
Mary Teller
Finance Administrator
Contact: mat32@cornell.edu
Mary Teller lives in Worcester with her husband Jeff and her Siamese Cats. Mary has been with Extension for 3 years. Prior to joining extension she and her husband owned and operated a retail ski shop for 13 years.
Mary received her Associates degree from SUNY at Delhi, and is our Finance Administrator.
Mary is also involved in her community, she is Secretary/Treasurer of the Worcester Fire District and Treasurer of the Worcester Historical Society. In her spare time she enjoys walking, swimming, skiing, gardening, and just being outdoors.
Sherry Thompson-Page
ACT for Youth Coordinator
Contact: sat38@cornell.edu
Sherry Thompson-Page joins Cornell Coop Ext. of Otsego County as ACT for Youth Coordinator. Sherry comes to CCE with a varied background in the human service field. She has worked in the Social Service arena as well as Employment and Training. Sherry holds a bachelor of Science degree in Human Services from SUNY Empire State College and is credentialed as a New York State Family Development Worker from the Empowering Families Project at the New York State College of Human Ecology at Cornell University. Sherry 's interests include spending time with her family, reading and learning new things and visiting the local animal shelters to visit the cats.
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