Career Challenge Scavenger Hunt Highlights Variety and Value of Careers in the Agricultural Industry
New York Agriculture in the Classroom, FFA, and Partners Demonstrate the Diversity of Careers in the Industry
New this Year: Registration for Career Challenge Available at the New FFA Building
There’s no better place to highlight opportunities in agriculture than at The Great New York State Fair. State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball will join partners from the New York State Department of Labor, New York Agriculture in the Classroom, FFA, SUNY Morrisville, SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech, and more to host Agriculture Career Day at The Fair. Agriculture Career Day was created to get young people excited about the diverse possibilities for future jobs in the agricultural industry. The Career Challenge, an educational scavenger hunt with interactive exhibits, will help young fairgoers learn about a wide variety of career options and connect directly with industry and education representatives just like them, with a chance to win exciting prizes. The day’s events kick off on Thursday, August 27 at 10:00 am in front of Gate 2, near the Administration Building at the corner of Tonawanda Street and Hiawatha Avenue.
State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “When we can get young people passionate about agriculture, we are investing in the continued growth of our industry. Our incredible partners who put on Ag Career Day do such a great job of informing young people about the many opportunities available in the industry. I’m excited to witness this program in action and encourage parents to bring their children to explore the different ways they can make a difference in agriculture.”
New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “Agriculture Career Day at The Great New York State Fair is a fun way for young New Yorkers to discover careers they will truly love. We hope this event will spark a genuine passion for agriculture and show the next generation how fulfilling and rewarding a career in this vital industry can be. We are honored to partner with the Department of Agriculture and Markets to help young people connect with work that inspires them, guiding them toward a meaningful and deeply satisfying career here in New York State.”
Fair Director Julie LaFave said, “Agriculture Career Day is a great opportunity for young people to explore the many career paths within our industry, while having fun and gaining hands-on experience in the Career Challenge. I invite all young people to come and engage with our industry professionals and see how they can be a part of the future of agriculture.”
As part of Agriculture Career Day, participants are invited to enjoy the Career Challenge and enter to win one of two Nintendo Switches. The Career Challenge is a scavenger hunt around the Fairgrounds, where participants visit nine stations featuring hands-on activities that tie in with an agriculture career path to learn more about the various agriculture-related careers available to young people today and in the future.
New this year, young people interested in participating in the Agriculture Career Day events can register at the Westside FFA Building or at the Gate 2 registration tent, beginning at 10:00 am and continue through the Fairgrounds to various stops of the Career Challenge.
At each station, hosts from New York Agriculture in the Classroom, FFA, SUNY Morrisville, SUNY Cobleskill, and more will talk about the career opportunities in the field of food and agriculture as participants complete an interactive task. Stops this year will help participants learn about career pathways in dairy food processing, plant and animal science, natural resources conservation, natural fiber and textile industry, and agriculture technology.
Participants who complete six out of the nine stops and turn their cards into the Agriculture Career Day tent at the Main Gate by 2:15 pm will be entered in a drawing to win one of two Nintendo Switches at 2:30 pm.
Katie Carpenter, New York Agriculture in the Classroom Director, said, “The Agriculture Career Day Challenge is a great opportunity to show students that agriculture is so much more than farming. From animal science and food production to technology, business, and communications, there are countless career paths connected to agriculture. We want students to leave the challenge realizing that there is a place for them in New York’s agricultural industry.”
Dr. Marion Terenzio, SUNY Cobleskill President, said, “‘Learning by Doing’ is how our students spend their days on campus, and we're glad to bring that same hands-on approach to our exhibit at the NYS Fair for Agriculture Career Day. When young people see how much of agriculture today runs on technology and skilled trades, it opens their eyes to career paths they might not have considered. That same spirit of opening doors is why we're proud to be home to a MANRRS chapter, giving students from every background a community and a pathway into agriculture."
Bin Zhu, Ph.D., Interim Dean of Faculty at SUNY Morrisville, who oversees the College’s agricultural programs, said, “Today’s agriculture offers a wide range of exciting careers beyond traditional farming. SUNY Morrisville is proud to partner with New York Agriculture in the Classroom, FFA, and industry partners to give students hands-on experiences and help them discover these career pathways. By connecting students with agriculture early, we are helping inspire and prepare the next generation of agricultural professionals and leaders in New York State.”
Shari Lighthall, Director of Agricultural Education Outreach at Cornell University, said, “Agricultural education is growing across New York State, and it is exciting to see more schools embracing opportunities to connect students with agriculture, food, and natural resources. These programs are preparing the next generation of leaders and strengthening the future of New York agriculture.”
In addition to Agriculture Career Day, New York students from across New York State show off their tremendous skills in agriculture, science, and robotics during all 13 days of the Fair. Demonstrations take place daily in the Youth Building and FFA Building on the west side of the Fairgrounds. A complete schedule of events can be found at nysfair.ny.gov/your-visit/daily-schedules.
First launched in 2017, Agriculture Career Day at The Fair builds on the State’s ongoing prioritization of workforce development in the industry to ensure that agriculture remains a viable industry in New York State. The 2026 New York State Budget dedicated $1 million to support FFA, $500,000 to support the New York Agriculture in the Classroom program, and $500,000 for the New York Association of Agricultural Educators to increase the number of certified agricultural educators in the state. In addition, $250,000 was included in support of Urban Agricultural Education and $50,000 for the MANRRS program.
In 2024, Governor Hochul convened the first ever youth agriculture leadership conference. Following the conference, the Governor announced the establishment of a Blue-Ribbon Panel to Advance Agriculture Education, which brings together food and agriculture industry stakeholders, educational institutions, and educators to chart a course for strengthening agriculture education and supporting the multi-faceted needs of the workforce.
The State’s efforts are paying off, with the number of agricultural teachers growing to 436 in 2026. Alongside this growth in teachers, the number of FFA charters and members has also increased. With 223 chapters established in 55 of New York’s 62 counties, there are now 16,288 FFA members in New York State, an increase from 9,300 in 2022. In 2016, Commissioner Ball challenged the FFA to increase its number of charters across the State by 100; the FFA reached that goal in time for its 100th anniversary last year, an exciting benchmark as it celebrates its centennial and looks forward to the next hundred years.
In addition, there are currently four MANRRS collegiate chapters statewide, up from just two in 2022, and one junior chapter at John Bowne High School in New York City. Today, there is also a 4-H program in all 62 counties in New York State, providing educational opportunities to young people interested in agriculture in every corner of the State. Together, these programs help meet the growing demand for agricultural education across New York.
The Fair starts Wednesday, August 26, and runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 7. All concerts are included in the price of admission. Tickets are on sale now at The Fair’s website, nysfair.ny.gov. Packed with value, a single admission ticket costs $8 and includes access to all grounds entertainment and the Chevrolet Music Series. In addition, a Frequent Fairgoer ticket option is available for $25. The Fair continues to be one of the most affordable fairs in the nation, with admission remaining free for those aged 65 and older along with children 12 years old and under.
Founded in 1841, The Great New York State Fair showcases the best of New York agriculture, provides top-quality entertainment, and is a key piece of the state’s CNY Rising strategy of growing the Central New York economy through tourism. It is the oldest fair in the United States and is consistently recognized as being among the top five state fairs in the nation.
The New York State Fairgrounds is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. Audiences are encouraged to learn more about The Great New York State Fair online, browse photos on Flickr, and follow the fun on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.
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