Sen. Akshar's new program supports agricultural education

Source: Press & Sun-Bulletin, Jan. 6, 2017

Students in five school districts across the Southern Tier will soon get a taste of what it's like to be a New York state farmer.

Growing Our Agri-Future — a program announced Friday at C.R. Weeks Elementary School in Windsor by State Sen. Fred Akshar, R-District 52, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Broome-Tioga BOCES and school superintendents — will bring agricultural educators into classrooms across the 52nd District.

Five school districts will participate in the pilot program — Harpursville, Maine-Endwell, Owego Apalachin, Union-Endicott and Windsor — and students will learn about pathways to working in agriculture.

“As a young man, I was raised in rural Afton, NY, where, like many parts of our community, agriculture is a way of life and an important economic driver,” Akshar said in a statement.

“Agriculture is one of the biggest and most diverse industries in our community and the state, but the average age of a farmer in New York is 55. That tells me we need to invest in our future and help educate the next generation on the wide range of career opportunities available through agriculture.”

Students at C.R. Weeks Elementary School at the announcement Students at C.R. Weeks Elementary School at the announcement of an agricultural education program.

Starting this semester, each school will receive 14 lessons a month. Those lessons could range from learning about the science of farming to growing food in school gardens to going on tours at local farms. Cornell Cooperative Extension will administer the program’s classes and curriculum.