Senator Fred Akshar joined officials from Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE), Broome-Tioga BOCES, and superintendents representing schools throughout the 52nd District on Friday, January 6, to unveil a new program aimed to connect local students with agricultural education and opportunities.

The name of the program is 'Growing Our Agri-Future' and it will bring agricultural educators into classrooms in five school districts across the 52nd Senate District as a pilot program.

Per a release from Akshar's office, the program will help students gain a greater appreciation for agriculture and its impact on communities throughout the area while highlighting the benefits of pursuing careers in the growing multi-billion dollar industry.

'Growing Our Agri-Future's' pilot program will begin this upcoming semester at Harpursville, Maine-Endwell, Owego Apalachin, Union-Endicott, and Windsor school districts.

“As a young man, I was raised in rural Afton, NY, where, like many parts of our community, agriculture is a way of life and an important economic driver,” said Sen. Akshar. “Agriculture is one of the biggest and most diverse industries in our community and the state, but the average age of a farmer in New York is 55. That tells me we need to invest in our future and help educate the next generation on the wide range of career opportunities available through agriculture.”