By Blake Jackson
The Great New York State Fair will once again spotlight career opportunities in agriculture through Agriculture Career Day on August 27, an event designed to help young people explore the wide range of careers available in New York’s agricultural industry.
Hosted by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets in partnership with organizations including the New York State Department of Labor, New York Agriculture in the Classroom, FFA, SUNY Morrisville, and SUNY Cobleskill, the program aims to inspire students to consider future careers in food, farming, natural resources, and agricultural technology.
“When we can get young people passionate about agriculture, we are investing in the continued growth of our industry. Our incredible partners who put on Ag Career Day do such a great job of informing young people about the many opportunities available in the industry," State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said.
"I’m excited to witness this program in action and encourage parents to bring their children to explore the different ways they can make a difference in agriculture,” added Ball.
The event will begin at 10 a.m. near Gate 2 and feature the Career Challenge, an interactive scavenger hunt that encourages participants to visit multiple stations throughout the Fairgrounds.
At each stop, students will engage in hands-on activities while learning about different agricultural professions from industry and educational representatives.
“Agriculture Career Day is a great opportunity for young people to explore the many career paths within our industry, while having fun and gaining hands-on experience in the Career Challenge," Fair Director Julie LaFave said.
She continued, "I invite all young people to come and engage with our industry professionals and see how they can be a part of the future of agriculture.”
Participants can register at the Gate 2 registration tent or the Westside FFA Building. Career Challenge stations will cover areas such as dairy processing, plant and animal sciences, conservation, natural fibers and textiles, and agricultural technology.
Those who complete at least six of the nine stations and submit their participation cards by 2:15 p.m. will be entered into a drawing for one of two Nintendo Switch prizes.
The event highlights New York’s commitment to developing the next generation of agricultural professionals while giving students a fun, hands-on opportunity to discover potential career paths in the industry.
For more information, visit https://nysfair.ny.gov/your-visit/daily-schedules/.
Categories: New York, Business, Education