A new hydroponic garden is taking root at Dutchess Community College (DCC), thanks to an $8,500 contribution from Central Hudson in support of Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County's (CCEDC) Green Teen program. The funding will help establish a hydroponic greenhouse, a key feature of the newly expanded Green Teen initiative in Poughkeepsie.
On Thursday, April 24th, at 1:00 pm on the campus of Dutchess Community College (50 Mascot Drive, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601) Falcon Hall (near the tennis courts), Central Hudson volunteers will join Green Teen Poughkeepsie participants and community leaders to celebrate the project, raising the structure's roof and presenting the donation. This milestone marks another step forward in empowering local youth through hands-on agriculture, leadership, and sustainability education.
The Green Teen program equips urban youth with essential life and career skills through immersive experiences in farming, nutrition, entrepreneurship, and community leadership. Since its founding in Beacon, the program has provided paid opportunities for teens to grow and distribute fresh produce at farmers' markets, food pantries, and pop-up events.
In 2024, CCEDC expanded Green Teen to Poughkeepsie, establishing a home on the DCC campus—a strategic location where many participating students may later pursue higher education. The Beacon program has been proudly supported by New York State Assemblymember Jonathan G. Jacobson (District 104), while the Poughkeepsie expansion reflects its growing impact.
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