The conference is set for November 13 and 14
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Select New York students can apply to attend the state’s first ever youth agriculture leadership conference.
The event, scheduled for November 13 and 14 at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, provides young leaders the chance to connect with other students and state officials to better understand the opportunities in agriculture and how policy supports the ag, food and natural resource sectors.
This event builds on commitments the governor made earlier this year.
In her January 2024 State of the State address, Gov. Kathy Hochul promised to “fight for our farmers threatened by extreme weather and workforce challenges,” and to increase leadership and educational opportunities in agriculture.
New York’s ag industry produced more than $8 billion in revenue in 2022.
Keeping the pipeline stocked with young ag minds is important to the sustained success of this sector, Gov. Hochul said.
“We’re convening the first ever youth agriculture leadership conference this year to give New York’s next generation of agricultural leaders the opportunity to grow their passion for the industry and learn more about this vital part of New York’s economy,” she said in a statement.
Attending the conference is by invitation only.
Students in grade 11 or 12 who are active FFS or 4-H members, Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences, junior or collegiate chapter, can apply.
The deadline to apply is July 15, and students will be required to answer multiple questions.
One question asks applicants what being a leader in ag means to them, another asks applicants to name an ag, food or natural resource issue they care deeply about.
Students will be selected after July 15 and applications will be considered until spots are full.
Once selected, the attendees will participate in a virtual online and training session in October. The one-hour orientation includes access to pre-work and conference logistics.
The full conference schedule is available online.