State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. Wednesday announced a partnership between SUNY and the New York State Future Farmers of America (FFA).

King also announced the launch of a new website: www.suny.edu/agriculture which will help prospective students learn more about agriculture-focused courses available at SUNY campuses throughout New York state. 

Through the partnership, New York State FFA will share information on agriculture programs at SUNY institutions with middle and high school students throughout New York State, including through linking the new SUNY website to the New York FFA website: https://www.nysffa.org/, and by sending regular updates about SUNY agriculture-focused courses and activities to K-12 educators involved with New York State FFA.  

“SUNY is a state leader in strengthening and supporting New York’s robust agricultural sector and preparing the ag-tech workforce of the future,” King said. ”This partnership with the New York State FFA will help ensure more of New York’s K-12 students are informed about the affordable, excellent agriculture education available at the SUNY institution of their dreams. We are proud to work with the FFA to provide students with the opportunity to explore a degree program that interests them, so they can succeed in the future.” 

New York State Future Farmers of America is a youth organization that helps middle school and high school students become leaders in a variety of fields, including agriculture. The New York State Future Farmers of America (FFA) develops premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through activities and opportunities nationwide. The partnership between SUNY and FFA will inform prospective high school and middle school students about the agriculture and other related programs available at SUNY institutions throughout New York State. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2022 Census of Agriculture, there are 30,650 farms in New York State, with farmland comprising of 21.6% of the state’s area. In 2022, farming contributed 2.7 billion to New York State’s GDP, and farming and related businesses directly supported nearly 165,000 jobs in New York State.  

New York State FFA Director Juleah Tolosky said, ”FFA started as Future Farmers of America – so Future is our first name.  Looking back, it’s easy to see how the demand for agriculture has grown and so have the significant, rewarding careers that deliver on the promises that started on small farms and continue in agribusinesses of all kinds. Looking forward, we know education and credentialing is an essential part of the path our 13,500 students will take to move from curiosity to career. I’m proud that New York’s emphasis on education and every student’s access to it. I’m excited to see SUNY’s commitment to making it clearer than ever for students to discover just how many campuses offer coursework in agriculture, food systems, or natural resources.  Whether it’s a major or a single course a student chooses to empower their own future, NY’s commitment to agricultural education shows we all share the same commitment to tomorrow.” 

SUNY has more than 7,500 students enrolled in agriculture and other related programs across New York State, including Agribusiness Management to Equine Science, Environmental Science, Viticulture, Veterinary Science and Food Systems & Technology. Each year, more than 1,300 students graduate from agriculture and other related programs. Agricultural innovations being researched in the SUNY system include climate protections like carbon sequestration and agrivoltaics research, robotic deployments, invasive species and pest control practices, and farm-based data collection and research.  

SUNY has worked to expand opportunities for students to pursue agriculture and support New York’s farmers.

SUNY Agritech Center to support New York State’s farm workforce and promote the use of emerging technologies in agriculture. Since the SUNY Agritech Center launch, 10 listening sessions have been held across New York, and SUNY officials have engaged with stakeholders representing all regions of the state including state lawmakers, farmers, industry groups, agriculture non-profits, small business advisors, faculty, students and early education partners, which will help guide SUNY programs to ensure they meet the current and future needs of the agriculture industry in New York. In September 2023, SUNY convened the first Agriculture Technology Workforce Readiness Summit at SUNY New Paltz and announced the first rounds of agriculture and technology grants utilized by SUNY campuses for agriculture-related projects.