Nathan Mayberg reports in the Register Star after months of delay, the Columbia County Board of Supervisors recently approved $500,000 in funding for Cornell Cooperative Extension. The funds were budgeted in December, but the supervisors waited nearly six months to distribute the money after concerns arose over CCE's use of the funds. Board of Supervisors Chairman Pat Grattan told the paper the board questioned whether Columbia County funds were being used to support staff and services for CCE's Greene County program. The twin county CCE programs merged in January as a way to cut administrative expenses, according to Linda Tripp, CCE Interim Executive Director. Cornell Cooperative Extension provides technical assistance to local farms, helps local 4H groups, offers educational programs, a summer camp for students to explore agricultural careers, and gives support to community garden projects and farmers markets. According to Mayberg, Columbia County's allocation to CCE has decreased by 14.5 percent since 2010. Read the full story in the Register Star.