​Extension Announces New 4-H Youth and Community Health Department

The Association Board of Directors recently created a new organizational plan for CCE of St. Lawrence County, which took effect January 1, 2026. The plan includes the creation of a new program area for 4-H Youth and Community Health, which combines the four pillars of 4-H (Citizenship, Heathy Lifestyles, STEM, and Ag) with the organization’s growing role in community wellness (general nutrition, cooking, health, and active lifestyles, etc.). The department is excited to leverage the diverse skill sets of its staff members to strengthen all its programs!

The 4-H Youth and Community Health Program is led by Cassondra “Casey” Caswell, Association Issue Leader. Casey will be familiar to many of you, as she spent her youth as an active 4-H Club member and 4-H Teen Leader. Since returning home after seeking her degree, Casey has held leadership positions within the Association for the past 12 years, including Farm Day Camp Director, 4-H Youth Development Team Leader, North Country Regional SNAP-Ed Issue Leader, and Director of Operations. She is excited about the opportunity to implement this new program area.

Here is what you need to know you need to know about this Team and who to access for which program:

4-H Youth Development

Cassondra Caswell, 4-H and Community Health Issue Leader, for the 4-H Club Program, club management, volunteer management, general 4-H involvement in the County and State Fairs.

Jorja Sands, 4-H and Dairy in the Classroom Educator, for general 4-H Club Program support, 4-H Dairy Program, County and State Fairs, Ag Awareness and Dairy in the Classroom Program.

Carmen Hostetter, Commercial Livestock Educator, for 4-H Livestock Program, 4-H Livestock clinics and exhibition at the County Fair, and general Ag Awareness.

Patrick Ames, Association Executive Director, for 4-H Shooting Sports Program in partnership with the Norfolk Rod and Gun Club.

4-H Afterschool Program

Mysti Murphy, Afterschool Program Leader, for the 21st Century Community Learning Center Programs in Edwards-Knox, Hermon-DeKalb, Parishville-Hopkinton, and Colton-Pierrepont Central Schools.

Kristy Coyle, Afterschool and Community Health Program Leader, for program development and implementation of afterschool programs (including North Wind After School at the Extension Learning Farm).

Orin Brown, North Wind Afterschool and Farm Day Camp Director, for the Association’s flagship farm-based afterschool program, North Wind, and its sister program, the Farm Day Camp. Orin remains a key resource for Environmental Education and Shooting Sport Programs, available to support school fieldtrips and 4-H Clubs.

Genevieve Gonzalez, Extended School Day Educator, for 4-H Programs in Lisbon, Norwood-Norfolk, and Brasher Falls Central Schools.

Community Health

Kristy Coyle, Afterschool and Community Health Program Leader, for program development and implementation a broad array of community wellness programs for County residents.

Zack Regan, Community Wellness Educator, for Farm-to-School Educational Program in participating school districts, general nutrition and active lifestyles programming, and fitness and stability classes for older adults.

Sarah Bentley-Garfinkel, Systems Specialist and Social Care Network Program Manager, for opportunities to develop broad policy, systems and environmental change which leads to positive health outcomes for County residents.

Trudey Emlaw, Social Care Network Navigator, for screening and access to Medicaid and Social Care Services.

Kristine Demeter, SNAP-Ed Sr. Nutrition Educator, for temporary access to and transition from nutrition education and obesity prevention programming. 

Last updated January 30, 2026