New York governor presents new ag initiatives

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced several proposals aimed at boosting the state’s agricultural industry, workforce development programs and youth leadership and education opportunities as part of the 2024 State of the State.

Hochul says the initiatives will strengthen and promote a more resilient future for the state’s agriculture and food sectors. 
  
“New York's agriculture industry is a key part of our economy, our communities and our way of life," Hochul said in the release. "As the first governor from upstate New York in nearly a century, I know firsthand how critical this sector is. I’m committed to supporting the growth of agriculture and food production and am continuing to focus on policies and investments that support our farmers.” 
  
Some of the governor's initiatives include:     

• One-stop shop for the agricultural workforce — Hochul proposed tools for agriculture employers and employees, including webinars, enhanced information on webpages and additional information created and managed by Cornell University’s Agricultural Workforce Development Program. The governor’s office said the New York State Department of Labor, the New York State Public Employee Relations Board and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets will support this effort.
• Increasing youth agricultural leadership and education opportunities — Hochul, in partnership with the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences New York Agriculture Education and Outreach Program, will debut New York’s first-ever collaborative youth agriculture leadership conference to support further collaboration among youth agriculture organizations and identify programmatic opportunities for youth engagement with the agriculture and food sectors that reflects the industry’s future workforce needs. Hochul said she will also launch the County Fair Passport Program. The state ag department will design, print and distribute an agricultural fair passport booklet to encourage attendance at the state’s county and youth fairs. Attendees can collect stamps at each fair they visit. Hochul said the state will also launch programs to help children attend fairs through group outings.