NORWICH – Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County recognized its volunteers of the year at the agency’s annual meeting on Dec. 14.

Louise Butcher, Jerry Michael and Jim Backus received Volunteer of the Year awards at the meeting, which took place at CCE’s 99 N. Broad Street location.

“Extension is an organization build on its volunteers,” said CCE Chenango Executive Director Ken Smith, as he introduced Louise Butcher as Association Volunteer of the Year.

Butcher, who was recently recognized by the Chenango County Youth Bureau, has a long history with CCE as a 4-H leader and with the Master Preserver and Master Clothing and Textile programs. According to Smith, she proved herself invaluable to the organization with what he called her “Herculean” efforts surrounding this year’s Chenango County Fair.

“Louise basically saved the day for 4-H when it came to fair time,” he said. “We just literally couldn’t have done it without you.”

The second to be recognized was Horticulture and Natural Resources Volunteer Jerry Michael. According to Rebeccah Hargrave, who presented the award, Michael is active in the New York State Forest Owners Association (NYSFOA) and has been a Master Forest Owner volunteer with CCE for 15 years.