Agriculture Career Day at The Great New York State Fair: A Platform for Inspiring Young Minds in Agriculture

Strategic Insights -

The New York State Department of Health and various partners have joined forces to host Agriculture Career Day at The Great New York State Fair, aiming to get young people excited about the diverse possibilities in the agricultural industry. State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball emphasized the importance of engaging the next generation in agriculture, as they are the future of the industry. The event, scheduled for August 21 at 10:00 am in front of Gate 2, will feature interactive exhibits and educational activities that will help young fairgoers learn about various career options in agriculture.

Key Takeaways:

  • Agriculture Career Day at The Great New York State Fair is a collaborative effort between the New York State Department of Health, New York State Department of Labor, New York Agriculture in the Classroom, FFA, SUNY Morrisville, SUNY Cobleskill, and other partners to showcase the diverse career opportunities in agriculture.
  • The event aims to inspire young people, aged 12 and above, to explore the many careers available in agriculture, including dairy food processing, plant and animal science, natural resources conservation, environmental engineering, and agriculture technology.
  • Participants will engage in a Career Challenge, an interactive scavenger hunt with hands-on activities that tie in with an agriculture career path, to learn about the various agriculture-related careers available to young people today and in the future.
  • Completing six out of nine Career Challenge stops and turning in the cards to the Agriculture Career Day tent at the Main Gate by 2:15 pm will enter participants in a drawing to win one of two Nintendo Switches at 2:30 pm.
  • The event is part of a larger effort by the State to prioritize workforce development in the agricultural industry, with Governor Kathy Hochul dedicating $1 million to support FFA, $500,000 for New York Agriculture in the Classroom, and $250,000 for Urban Agricultural Education.
  • Agricultural education programs, such as 4-H and FFA, have seen growth in recent years, with the number of agricultural teachers increasing to 432 in 2025 and FFA chapters and members rising to 224 chapters and over 13,000 members, respectively.

Statistics:

  • 432 agricultural teachers in New York State (2025)
  • 224 FFA chapters established in 54 of New York's 62 counties (as of 2025)
  • 13,000 FFA members in New York State (as of 2025)
  • $1 million dedicated by Governor Kathy Hochul to support FFA (in the current budget)
  • $500,000 dedicated by Governor Kathy Hochul to support the New York Agriculture in the Classroom program (in the current budget)
  • $250,000 dedicated by Governor Kathy Hochul to support Urban Agricultural Education (in the current budget)
  • 9,300 FFA members in New York State (2022)
  • 100 FFA charters across the State by 2016
  • 5 MANRRS collegiate chapters statewide (as of 2025)
  • 1 junior chapter at John Bowne High School in New York City (as of 2025)

Sources:

  • New York State Department of Health
  • New York State Department of Labor
  • New York Agriculture in the Classroom
  • FFA
  • SUNY Morrisville
  • SUNY Cobleskill
  • Governor Kathy Hochul's office
  • New York State Fair website (nysfair.ny.gov)