SUNY Chancellor King Launches the SUNY Agritech Center and Convenes an Agriculture Technology Summit
November 18, 2025
SUNY Agritech Center Addresses the Future Needs of the Agriculture Industry
Cobleskill, NY – State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. visited SUNY Cobleskill on Monday to announce the launch of the SUNY Agritech Center to support New York's farm workforce and promote the use of emerging technologies in agriculture. The SUNY Agritech Center, part of Chancellor King's 2025 State of the University Policy Agenda, brings together key partners in state government, industry, and SUNY campuses focused on meeting current and future needs of the agriculture industry.
"The SUNY Agritech Center embodies SUNY's important role supporting rural communities to be leaders in the agricultural economy," said SUNY Chancellor King. "The launch of the SUNY Agritech Center builds on New York State's ongoing work to address industry needs through education, workforce development, research, and more. I look forward to seeing our SUNY campuses work with state and local partners to lead innovation in this industry."
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "SUNY is committed to strengthening the agriculture industry in New York State by working with our government and industry partners to anticipate and fulfill future industry needs. The SUNY Agritech Center advances this important work by acting as a body of expertise that draws connections between the key stakeholders in the agriculture industry."
SUNY has more than 7,500 students enrolled in agriculture and other related programs across New York State from Agribusiness Management to Equine Science, Environmental Science, Viticulture, Veterinary Science and Food Systems & Technology. Each year, some 1,400 students graduate from agriculture and related programs. Agricultural innovations 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.
The SUNY Agritech Center will continue to position New York State's rural communities to lead in the modern agricultural-based economy by bringing together key partners in state government, industry, and SUNY campuses focused on meeting the needs of the agriculture industry in education, workforce development, career awareness, recruitment, research and applied research, entrepreneurship and innovation, and adoption of the next generation of technology.
SUNY Cobleskill President Marion Terenzio said, "The SUNY Agritech Center represents a strategic response to the defining challenges of our time: ensuring food security, advancing sustainable practices, and preparing the next generation of leaders who will advance these vital industries. In bringing together the expertise of SUNY campuses, state partners, and industry leaders, SUNY is creating new pathways for innovation that will strengthen New York's agricultural economy and position our graduates to create impactful change in communities across the state. We are honored to be a founding partner in the SUNY Agritech Center and to work alongside Chancellor King and our partners to advance the state's agricultural interests."
The groundwork to launch the SUNY Agritech Center began early in Chancellor King's tenure through the convening of the first Agriculture Technology Workforce Summit, co-led with Senate Agricultural Committee Chair Senator Michelle Hinchey, at SUNY New Paltz in September 2023. Chancellor King and Senator Hinchey were joined by New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball, industry partners, SUNY campus presidents, SUNY students, and agriculture and technology experts to discuss climate change, emerging technology, and workforce needs.
This year's Agriculture Technology Summit was held at SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech, known for its immersive approach to learning, combining undergraduate research with hands-on application, and as a regional and state leader in advancing agriculture workforce development through its Institute for Rural Vitality. The Institute, designated as the Entrepreneurial Assistance Center for the Mohawk Valley by Empire State Development, has helped its business clients achieve more than $2 million in new revenue in the past 12 months through comprehensive business support and access to shared-use facilities on campus.
State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Chair of the Higher Education Committee, said, "We must always be mindful that New York is an important agricultural state. The SUNY Agritech Center reflects that reality by preparing students for the skilled, technology-driven jobs that sustain our rural communities and drive our economy. This initiative brings together education, innovation, and workforce development in a way that strengthens New York's agricultural future. I thank Chancellor King, Senator Hinchey, SUNY Cobleskill, and our industry partners for their commitment to this work."
State Senator Michelle Hinchey, Chair of the Agricultural Committee, said, "Today's launch of the SUNY Agritech Center is the direct result of work we initiated two years ago when we partnered with Chancellor King to convene SUNY's first Agritech Workforce Readiness Summit. This new center is a major step in prioritizing agriculture across the entire SUNY system, advancing innovation, collaboration, and sharing knowledge so that New York can lead and succeed in this vital sector. I'm grateful to the Chancellor for turning this idea into reality and to SUNY Cobleskill for hosting this exciting announcement. The SUNY Agritech Center opens a new chapter for New York agriculture, and we look forward to the impact this industry-leading effort will deliver."
State Senator Peter Oberacker said, "Agriculture is the backbone of our rural economy, and SUNY Cobleskill continues to prove that investing in practical, hands-on innovation strengthens our farms, our workforce, and our communities. The launch of the SUNY Agritech Center builds on the College's long-standing reputation as a statewide leader in agricultural education and applied research. I'm proud to represent a region where students, educators, and industry partners work side-by-side to advance technologies that help our farmers remain competitive, sustainable, and prepared for the future. This initiative reflects the best of what SUNY can accomplish when it focuses on real-world needs and supports the next generation of agricultural leaders."
State Senator George Borrello said, "The launch of the SUNY Agritech Center and the dialogue at today's summit reflect the kind of innovation and collaboration New York agriculture needs. SUNY Cobleskill has long been a model for hands-on, real-world training, and this center builds on that strength by bringing education, industry, and state partners together to prepare students for emerging fields. Our farmers continue to face real pressures, from labor shortages to rising costs, which makes SUNY's focus on practical, farm-ready skills especially important for our rural communities. When institutions like SUNY drive innovation and workforce development, we open doors for young people and help ensure that agriculture remains a strong pillar of New York's economy."
State Assemblymember Alicia L. Hyndman, Chair of the Higher Education Committee, said, "As Chair of the Higher Education Committee, I'm encouraged to see SUNY launch the new Agritech Center and bring leaders together at the Agriculture Technology Summit. This forward-looking investment strengthens New York's agricultural workforce by giving students access to cutting-edge technology, hands-on training, and research that will shape the future of our food systems. These efforts open meaningful career pathways for students and support the long-term vitality of our rural communities. I commend Chancellor King and SUNY Cobleskill for their commitment to preparing the next generation of farmers, scientists, and entrepreneurs who will drive our agricultural economy forward."
State Assemblymember Donna Lupardo, Chair of the Agriculture Committee, said, "Today's announcement is a positive development for NY farmers. It reflects the type of collaboration we need to continue growing NY's agricultural economy. The SUNY Agritech Center will build on the exciting work already being done to connect farms to innovative technologies, while attracting and developing the skilled workforce we need."
State Assemblymember Chris Tague said, "As a former dairy farmer representing some of New York's most productive agricultural districts, I applaud Chancellor King and SUNY for launching the SUNY Agritech Center. Today's announcement at SUNY Cobleskill is a powerful reminder of why we must continue funding agriculture across our state so New York farmers can keep leading the nation in innovation, sustainability and feeding America for generations to come."
Earlier this year, SUNY Cobleskill received $176,000 in targeted investments from SUNY System Administration and the SUNY Construction Fund to strengthen their farm infrastructure and biosecurity protocols. Supporting its commitment to innovation in agriculture, SUNY Cobleskill has also partnered with Empire State Greenhouses to bring a 315,000-square-foot carbon-negative vertical grow facility to land adjacent to campus, slated to begin construction in 2026. Other industry partnerships are helping SUNY Cobleskill lead on research into patented waste-to-energy gasification technology and providing heavy equipment training aligned with New York State's transformative shift toward electric vehicles.
The SUNY Agritech Center will continue efforts to support the current and future agriculture industry in areas such as cybersecurity, drones, precision farming, agrivoltaics, and waste management. Other SUNY campuses are also advancing agricultural research and workforce training. For example, the State University of New York at Buffalo is using artificial intelligence for the early detection of nutrient deficiencies, pests, and other problems, as well as optimizing LED lighting for indoor farming to enable fruits, vegetables, and other food products to be grown closer to where they will be sold to consumers, including communities with limited access to fresh food. Additionally, the State University of New York at Binghamton is using drones to monitor field health.
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.
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