The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Ambassador Scholars get hands-on experience at the Fair
The oldest state fair in the US, the New York State Fair is an ideal venue for young adults interested in agricultural careers to polish their leadership and advocacy skills. Concluding on Sept. 3, more than 1 million consumers are expected to stream through the fair’s main gates over 13 days.
On Aug. 24, Ambassador Scholars, ranging in age from 20-25, came to the Fairgrounds for a full-day program that included both hands-on workshops and tours with industry hosts ranging from the New York Beef Industry Council to the popular dairy cattle birthing center. “AgVocacy” was the theme- of-the-day and the title of an established advocacy program supported by Bayer CropScience. Company representatives were on hand to provide facts, figures and personal stories working in the trenches with the non farm public.
Sponsored by the NYS Agricultural Society Foundation, the Ambassador program was created in
2014 to grow professional skills and industry awareness of young adults attending college or working full/ part time in the industry. A first for the program, the NYS Fair experience builds on Ambassador participation at the historic NYS Ag Society Annual Meeting & Forum conducted in January, which attracts upwards of 500 producers, educators, regulators and other industry influencers.
From Vernon Center, Ambassador Sarah Peavey was one of nine young adults to participate at the NYS Fair. “The fair opportunity provided a great chance to connect with other like-minded young professionals in the agricultural industry,” said Peavey. “We need to figure out where we can fit into the landscape to spread our positive message about NYS ag and food effectively.”
“Working with the Ambassadors is a unique opportunity to influence the next generation of ag leaders,” said Ryan Locke, North- east District sales manager of Bayer CropScience. “Being able to not only start them on their own ‘AgVocacy’ journey, but to see all the efforts the state of New York is putting into telling their ag story was truly an incredible experience.”
Following a program led by Dr. Larry Van De Valk of LEAD NY and lunch, Ambassadors toured the Fairgrounds, where they met with leaders from the New York Animal Agriculture Coalition, New York Beef Industry Council, New York FFA, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, Daniel Parrish Witter Agricultural Museum, and equine organizations located at the NYS Fair Coliseum.
“What struck me was the many ways agricultural organizations seamlessly integrate into the fair experience to connect with and educate the public that’s both authentic and valuable,” added Peavey.
Launched in 2014, principal objectives of the Ambassador program include:
•Exposing young adults to potential academic and career paths in the agricul- ture and food industry
•Building awareness and knowledge of issues critical to industry sustainability and growth
•Connection to potential employers and mentors
•Building professional development skills
Applicants must be enrolled in college with a degree program related to agriculture, natural resources, and/or food systems, or individuals employed in the agricultural industry. Previous Ambassadors may reapply for a second-year experience. To be eligible for the 2019 Ambassador program, candidates must apply on-line at www.nysagsociety.org/ forum/forum-scholarships by Nov. 16, 2018.
For more information, contact Ann Shephard at 315-727-5449.
At 186 years old, the New York State Agricultural Society is one of the oldest associations of its kind in the nation. It was organized in 1832 to foster, promote and improve the New York State food and agricultural industry through education, leadership development and recognition programs. Credited with initiating the NYS Fair and the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences at Cornell University, the Society formed the NYS Agricultural Founda- tion in 2011 to help promote its mission in local communities.