Sen. Ritchie hosting FFA members during senate agriculture meeting

State Sen. Patricia A. Ritchie, R-Heuvelton is hosting members of the Future Farmers of America chapters from across the state and from local school districts — including South Jefferson, Carthage, Gouverneur and Belleville Henderson — on Tuesday in Albany during the first Senate Agriculture Committee meeting of the year. Sen. Ritchie is the committee chairwoman.

During the meeting, Sen. Ritchie will discuss her plans to help New York state farmers during this year’s legislative session and listen to FFA members talk about what they are seeing in the industry today.

“Students who are part of FFA represent the next chapter of agriculture in New York State,” Sen. Ritchie said in a release. “Not only are these bright students learning about the importance of farming, they’re also learning valuable leadership skills that will last a lifetime. I’m excited to welcome FFA members to Albany and hear about the things they are doing today that will help farming remain a vitally important part of our economy for many years to come.”

The students will also be honored by Sen. Ritchie during the day’s Senate session with an official resolution recognizing them for their achievements and naming Feb. 18 through 25 the “FFA Week in the State of New York.”

In his proposed 2017-18 Executive Budget, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo committed $122 million for agriculture and markets, about $5 million more than what was proposed for the last fiscal year budget.

The extra spending has to do with the governor’s proposed modernization of the New York State Fair. A total of $70 million is going into several fair upgrades, including a gondola to take visitors between the Fairgrounds and Lakeview Amphitheater in Syracuse.

More details at: http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/sen-ritchie-hosting-ffa-members-during-senate-agriculture-meeting-20170207

A Firsthand Look at the Future of Farming: Ritchie Hosts FFA Members in Albany

Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Senator Patty Ritchie welcomed students representing Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapters from across the state, including those in Central and Northern New York, to Albany Tuesday to share what she is doing to strengthen agriculture, as well as to hear from members about what they’re learning today that will help protect the future of the industry. 

  Among those in attendance were FFA members from a number of local school districts, including South Jefferson, Carthage, Gouverneur and Belleville Henderson.  Over 50 students from more than a dozen FFA organizations across the state joined Senator Ritchie for the first Senate Agriculture Committee meeting of the year, where they had the opportunity to speak about their involvement in FFA and how the organization has helped them to not only learn about farming, but also how to build leadership skills and become involved in their communities. Among the students speaking was Paige Thorne, who represented the Carthage Central School District’s FFA. 

  “As someone who grew up on a family farm, I can attest that farming is a tough job—that’s why I find it so admirable that the young people who visited today have decided to be part of New York’s leading industry,” said Senator Ritchie. 

  “Through their involvement with FFA, students aren’t just learning about farming—they’re also learning important life skills. These are students who set examples for others to follow, know the importance of teamwork, strive to make a difference in their schools and their communities and encourage their peers to reach new heights.”

  In addition, students were also recognized on the Senate floor during the day’s session with an official Resolution, recognizing them for their achievements and naming February 18th to 25th “FFA Week in the State of New York.”

Students also manned tables throughout the day in the concourse of Albany’s Empire State Plaza, where they answered questions, handed out samples and helped to educate visitors, legislators and staff about the work being done by FFA to strengthen New York’s agriculture industry.

In recent years, Senator Ritchie has made it a priority to support young people interested in agriculture, successfully advocating for a total of $2.7 million for agricultural education programs, including an increase of $658,000 to support a growing number of FFA chapters across the state.   

More details at: https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/patty-ritchie/firsthand-look-future-farming-ritchie-hosts-ffa-members-albany

AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER COMMEMORATES 100 YEARS OF FORMAL AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION IN NEW YORK STATE

February Marks 100th Anniversary of National Agricultural Education System

State Agriculture Commissioner Participates in Anniversary Celebration with New York Future Farmers of America

Governor Cuomo Proposes Record Funding for Agriculture Education in 2017-18 Executive Budget

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball commemorates 100 years of formal agricultural education in New York State in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Smith-Hughes National Vocational Education Act of 1917.  As a result of this landmark federal legislation, a cohesive national system of career and technical education was developed and continues today.

Commissioner Ball will join the New York Future Farmers of America (NY FFA) for an anniversary celebration tonight in Albany that will promote the value of agricultural education programs to both students and the industry and spotlight New York’s leadership in agricultural education.  On behalf of Governor Cuomo, Commissioner Ball will present a citation during the celebration to commemorate the anniversary. 

“For years, agricultural education programs have encouraged millions of young people to pursue higher education and become strong leaders in their chosen fields.  The Smith-Hughes Act was a major part of strengthening that effort across the country and I am thrilled to be part of the celebration of this historic milestone,” Commissioner Ball said. “Here in New York, we are proud be a national leader when it comes to agriculture education and I am grateful to be part of an administration that recognizes the importance of carrying that legacy forward.”

The Smith-Hughes Act was named for Senator Hoke Smith and Representative Dudley Hughes, both of Georgia, who introduced the legislation in Congress.  It was passed on February 17, 1917 and signed by President Woodrow Wilson on February 23.  In celebration of this historic anniversary, the NY FFA is holding career development workshops this month to help more than 100 students better understand public policy and State government. 

The Smith-Hughes Act paved the way for youth leadership development organizations, such as FFA, whose members gain valuable workforce training and professional management skills that often lead to meaningful careers in agriculture and related fields. New York State has a rich history with the National FFA Organization being one of the oldest chapters in the country.  Currently, Ashley Willits from Copenhagen, NY, is serving as the Eastern Region Vice President for the National FFA.  She is the first female national officer from New York.

Terry Hughes, Career Development Event Coordinator for NY FFA said, “As a product of Agricultural education myself, it is exciting to see that even after 100 years this dynamic school based program continues to prepare young people to fill the growing demand in the ever changing Agriculture, Food, Fiber, and Natural Resources Industry.  Agricultural education is positioned well to continue to make a positive difference in the lives of students by recognizing the critical importance of developing premier leadership through the FFA as an integral part of career success and civic engagement.”

Ashley Willits, National FFA Eastern Region Vice President, said, “New York FFA Association, along with FFA associations across the country and in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, give students opportunities to apply the knowledge they learn in the classroom to relevant, real world experiences.  With more than 235 careers in agriculture, FFA and agricultural education play an integral part in preparing students to be competitive in a global workforce.”

Record Funding For New York Agricultural Education

Agricultural education has long been a priority in New York with programs that pre-date the Smith-Hughes Act and the oldest urban agriculture program in the U.S.  The State was also one of the first in the country to allow girls to pursue these curriculums and continues to set an example for the rest of the nation with cutting-edge programs that influence more than 10,000 students annually. 

To continue New York’s progressive leadership in this area, Governor Cuomo has proposed a record $1.3 million in his 2017-18 Executive Budget to support 100 new FFA chapters through start-up grants, expand the New York Agriculture in the Classroom program, which is administered by Cornell University, and to double the number of certified agricultural educators from 240 to 480.  The Governor’s plan will enhance opportunities for students and educators and help meet the growing demand for agricultural programs across the State. 

The Governor has also proposed a state-of-the-art test kitchen and food science lab at the New York FFA Oswegatchie Educational Center in the North Country.  This test kitchen will offer instruction in food safety, basic food preparation, and food processing to more than 6,000 annual visitors, including both students and veterans from nearby Fort Drum.  

Kathryn J. Boor, Dean of Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences said, “I appreciate this important partnership commemoration as it recognizes the full spectrum of Cornell’s agricultural education, which begins in the primary schools with the New York Agriculture in the Classroom program, to the Cornell FFA program’s emphasis on developing high school students, and ends with our excellent undergraduate and graduate programs in agricultural and life sciences.  The importance of agricultural education in today’s economy has never been greater, as we see ongoing needs to cultivate the next generation of New York’s farm families, food and business entrepreneurs, and plant and animal scientists to keep feeding a globally increasing population efficiently and sustainably in a changing climate.  I am thrilled that the Governor recognizes the importance of building a reliable pipeline to Taste NY and New York Grown and Certified programs through supporting the future farm and food entrepreneurs in New York State.”

Tina Miner, President of NY Association of Agricultural Educators, said “This is an exciting time for agricultural education in New York State.  So many school districts are seeking to start agricultural education programs and our State leaders have demonstrated that they recognize the power of these programs to develop a strong workforce.  We are thrilled to have this level of support and we look forward to our role in supporting one of New York’s most important industries.” 

CONTACT
Jola Szubielski I Jola.Szubielski@agriculture.ny.gov 518-457-0752

Lisa Koumjian I Lisa.Koumjian@agriculture.ny.gov 518-457-0752