SUNY Chancellor King Welcomes New York City Students to Explore Agriculture Programs During SUNY College Fair
March 9, 2026
High School Juniors and Seniors Connected with Campus Representatives to Learn More About Excellent Agriculture-Related Programs Available at SUNY
Manhattan, NY — State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today highlighted agriculture programs available on SUNY campuses as students from throughout New York City attended a college fair and information session at the SUNY Global Center. The college fair and information session brought together high school juniors and seniors to connect with campus representatives to learn more about the excellent agriculture-related programs available at SUNY campuses throughout New York State. SUNY has over 7,500 students enrolled in agriculture-related programs at campuses statewide, and more than 1,300 students graduate from agriculture-related programs at SUNY each year.
SUNY offers a variety of agriculture and other related programs on campuses across New York State, including Agribusiness Management, Equine Science, Environmental Science, Viticulture, Veterinary Science, and Food Systems & Technology. Agricultural innovations being researched 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.
"While many high school students in New York City are already familiar with SUNY's excellent college options nearby on Long Island and in the Mid-Hudson region, we need to work harder to get the word out about our extraordinary agriculture programs throughout the state. SUNY plays an important role in supporting New York State's agricultural sector by preparing students to enter the agricultural workforce of the future," said SUNY Chancellor King. "We are proud to be able to offer prospective students the opportunity to learn more about the excellent, affordable agriculture-related education they can receive at the SUNY institution of their choice, so they can succeed in the future."
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "Through the unwavering support of Governor Kathy Hochul, SUNY is able to invest in events and programs to inform prospective students about the exciting educational opportunities that await them on our campuses. We are proud to offer robust agriculture programs so our students can pursue the career of their dreams. Thank you to Governor Kathy Hochul and the State Legislature for their steadfast support of SUNY, and our prospective and current students."
During the college fair and information session, New York City high school students had the opportunity to meet with current SUNY students, alumni, and campus representatives from Alfred State College, SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech, and SUNY Morrisville to learn more about agricultural and agricultural-adjacent pathways available on the campuses. The high school students received practical guidance, heard about student experience on campus, and had networking opportunities to understand what it takes to pursue a career in agriculture. High school principals, teachers, and counselors also met with SUNY campus representatives during the college fair to foster connections and facilitate a pipeline for future student enrollment at SUNY.
SUNY has worked to expand opportunities for students to pursue agriculture as a career field and inform prospective students about agriculture programs at SUNY. Last month, Chancellor King announced a partnership with New York State Future Farmers of America to help prospective students learn more about the agriculture-focused courses available on SUNY campuses. In November 2025, SUNY launched the SUNY Agritech Center to support New York State's farm workforce and promote the use of emerging technologies in agriculture. Since the launch of the SUNY Agritech Center, 10 listening sessions have been held across New York, and SUNY officials have engaged with stakeholders representing all regions of the state including state lawmakers, farmers, industry groups, agriculture non-profits, small business advisors, faculty, students, and early education partners, which will help guide SUNY programs to ensure they meet the current and future needs of New York's agriculture industry.
According to the U.S Department of Agriculture's 2022 Census of Agriculture, there are 30,650 farms in New York State, with farmland comprising of 21.6 percent of the state's area. In 2022, farming contributed $2.7 billion to New York State's GDP, and farming and related businesses directly supported nearly 165,000 jobs. In September 2023, SUNY convened the first Agricultural Technology Workforce Readiness Summit at SUNY New Paltz and announced the first rounds of agriculture and technology grants utilized by SUNY campuses for agriculture-related projects.
State Senator George Borrello said, "Agriculture is not just a cornerstone of New York's economy; it is the backbone of communities across our state and a gateway to innovation, sustainability, and opportunity. Today's students, whether they grow up in the heart of Manhattan or on a family farm upstate, have a role to play in shaping the future of this essential industry. SUNY's outstanding agriculture programs are opening doors to cutting-edge careers in food systems, environmental stewardship, technology, and farm management. By connecting New York City students with campuses across our state, we are strengthening the pipeline of talent that will sustain our farms, support our rural communities, and drive innovation for generations to come."
State Senator Michelle Hinchey, Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said, "Agriculture is one of New York's greatest strengths, and helping students see a future for themselves in the industry is key to protecting our food supply and a cornerstone of our statewide economy. I'm grateful to Chancellor King for strengthening our upstate-downstate partnership by creating an opportunity for New York City students to discover the wide range of ag careers available to them."
State Assemblymember Donna Lupardo, Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee, said, "I am thrilled that SUNY is taking such a proactive role in educating students from NYC about opportunities in agriculture. The programs that SUNY offers are vast and may be surprisingly relevant to students whose interests align with the variety of agricultural careers available. In order for New York to continue as one of the leading agricultural states in the nation, we need more researchers and practitioners to help build the future."
State Assemblymember Brian Manktelow said, "As a farmer who stepped into public service, I want to emphasize that agricultural education helps prepare our next generation to understand what helps feed and sustain our country. When we bring students out into the field or the barn, they are gaining the hands-on experience and respect for the work that you can't always get from a textbook. The strength of our rural economies is enriched when we bring agricultural education into the SUNY college campuses."
NYC Public Schools Chief of Student Pathways Jane Martínez Dowling said, "New York City Public Schools is committed to ensuring every student graduates with a head start on a career and a clear, strong plan for their future. This collaboration with SUNY provides our students with a powerful window into the high-growth, high-opportunity field of agriculture, which is increasingly shaped by the technology and innovation our students are mastering in their classrooms today. By connecting our juniors and seniors directly to SUNY's world-class programs, we are not just exploring careers—we are building a seamless bridge to economic security and meaningful work for the next generation of New Yorkers."
New York City Council Member Rita Joseph said, "New York City students deserve every opportunity to explore careers that shape the future of our state and our planet. I'm grateful to see SUNY opening doors for our young people to learn about agriculture programs across its campuses. From food systems to environmental sustainability, these programs prepare students to lead in industries that feed our communities and protect our natural resources. As chair of the New York City Council's Higher Education Committee, I'm proud to support initiatives that connect our city's students with SUNY's world-class institutions and help them discover pathways to meaningful careers."
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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Holly Liapis
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