Sofia Russo joins CCE Chautauqua.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County has announced Sofia Russo as their new Agriculture Program Coordinator. Sofia brings hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture, education, and community outreach to support and enhance agricultural initiatives in Chautauqua County. She can be reached by calling 716-664-9502 ext. 203 or emailing ssr236@cornell.edu.
CCE Chautauqua has been undergoing an internal capacity study which has led to innovative growth and positive restructuring. This new position will increase capacity and efficiency within CCE Chautauqua while providing outstanding support and guidance to our county’s agricultural community.
Russo is a budding agricultural professional with strong interest in sustainable food systems and community-based agriculture. She recently earned her bachelor’s degree in Animal Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation from Canisius University. Since 2023, she has worked with Cornell Cooperative Extension in various roles, including as a farm technician with Cornell Vegetable Program and as an intern with the Lake Erie Regional Grape Program, where she supported their Spotted Lanternfly monitoring efforts with NY Department of Agriculture and Markets. She also worked with the Massachusetts Avenue Project (MAP) in Buffalo, NY as an intern where she gained hands on experience in urban agriculture, youth education, and value-added product development.
CCE Chautauqua Agriculture Team Leader, Katelyn Walley-Stoll, states, “We are so excited to have Sofia’s diverse experiences, passion for agriculture and education join our growing team. Her skills and dedication will help us to continue to grow our program at CCE Chautauqua to continue to meet the needs of our community.”
In this new role, Russo will coordinate agricultural programming in Chautauqua County, working with a diverse team to provide high quality, research-based resources to gardeners, homesteaders, farmers, agribusinesses, agricultural stakeholders, and everyone in between. Sofia looks forward to bringing personalized assistance to farms in Chautauqua County and continuing to connect the agricultural industry to Cornell resources.
The Agriculture Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a community based educational organization, affiliated with Cornell University, Chautauqua County Government, the NYS SUNY system, and the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.
