The grant-in-aid, or “bullet aid” funding was approved
during the 2018-2019 state budget process, and was finalized at the end of the
2018 Legislative Session. The grants will support an ongoing program in
Livingston County and start an Agriculture in the Classroom program in Allegany
County.
“The hands-on learning experience children gain in the
Agriculture in the Classroom program is invaluable,” Senator Young said. “It
directly increases their agriculture knowledge and literacy.”
Senator Young said agriculture is one of New York State’s
biggest industries and it is the leading industry in the 57th District.
“Sadly, many people never consider the impact agriculture
has on their lives,” she said. “Agriculture is one of our state’s top
industries, with 35,000 farms and a workforce that’s over 100,000 strong,
generating an economic impact of more than $5.4 billion.”
Mark Wittmeyer, Youth Development Team Leader of the Cornell
Cooperative Extension of Livingston County, said the funding will allow the
Cooperative Extension to continue educating students in every school district
in Livingston County within the 57th Senate District.
“Cornell Cooperative Extension of Livingston County is very
appreciative of Senator Young for securing the 2018/2019 Agriculture in the
Classroom grant,” he said. “Teaching youth, especially at a young age, about
the facts of where their food comes from, the importance of agriculture as an
industry, and the need for a diverse agricultural workforce is critical to the
sustainability of agriculture today and tomorrow.”
Laura K. Hunsberger, Executive Director of the Cooperative
Extension of Allegany County, thanked Senator Young and said the funding will
kick-start the Agriculture in the Classroom program in Allegany County.
“We are very excited for the opportunities that this funding
will bring to Allegany County,” she said. “Currently, we have only been able to
participate in Ag Literacy Week where volunteers read a book with an
agricultural theme to second graders. This funding will allow us to hire a
part-time educator to go into Allegany County public school classrooms and
share curricula especially developed to work with the teachers’ existing
programming. Coupled with our new Farm-to-School program, we are anticipating a
real jump in our young peoples’ understanding of where their food comes from
and how their food choices can impact their local community.”
Agriculture in the Classroom teaches awareness,
understanding and appreciation of where the food we eat comes from by helping
educators, students and communities learn about and engage with the agriculture
industry.
Senator Young said teaching young people about the
importance of agriculture not only helps them appreciate the food they eat and
the products they buy, but it also teaches them the importance of protecting
the environment to sustain healthy agriculture.
“Programs like this are vital to our youth and their need to
understand the agriculture industry that surrounds them,” she said. “Supporting
the Agriculture in the Classroom program is an investment in the future.
Anything that benefits agriculture in the Empire State, benefits us all.”
