MCC Daily Tribune
SUNY Chancellor King Announces Partnership with New York State Future Farmers of America
Through Partnership, FFA Will Share Information on Agriculture Programs at SUNY with Prospective Students
Albany, NY — State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. announced a partnership between SUNY and the New York State Future Farmers of America (FFA) on Wednesday. Chancellor King also announced the launch of a new website, which will help prospective students learn more about agriculture-focused courses available at SUNY campuses throughout New York State. Through the partnership, New York State FFA will share information on agriculture programs at SUNY institutions with middle and high school students throughout New York State, including through linking the new SUNY website to the New York FFA website and by sending regular updates about SUNY agriculture-focused courses and activities to K-12 educators involved with New York State FFA.
“SUNY is a state leader in strengthening and supporting New York’s robust agricultural sector and preparing the ag-tech workforce of the future,” said SUNY Chancellor King. “This partnership with the New York State FFA will help ensure more of New York's K-12 students are informed about the affordable, excellent agriculture education available at the SUNY institution of their dreams. We are proud to work with the FFA to provide students with the opportunity to explore a degree program that interests them, so they can succeed in the future.”
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, “Thanks to the steadfast support of Governor Hochul, SUNY is able to invest in attracting prospective students to a degree program that interests them. We are proud to work with the FFA to inform New York State’s K-12 students of the agricultural education opportunities available at our campuses throughout the state. Thank you to Governor Hochul and the State Legislature for their continued support of SUNY, and our students.”
New York State Future Farmers of America is a youth organization that helps middle school and high school students become leaders in a variety of fields, including agriculture. The New York State Future Farmers of America (FFA) develops premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through activities and opportunities nationwide. The partnership between SUNY and FFA will inform prospective high school and middle school students about the agriculture and other related programs available at SUNY institutions throughout New York State. 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 New York State.
New York State FFA Director Juleah Tolosky said, “FFA started as Future Farmers of America - so Future is our first name. Looking back, it's easy to see how the demand for agriculture has grown and so have the significant, rewarding careers that deliver on the promises that started on small farms and continue in agribusinesses of all kinds. Looking forward, we know education and credentialling is an essential part of the path our 13,500 students will take to move from curiosity to career. I'm proud that New York's emphasis on education and every student's access to it. I'm excited to see SUNY's commitment to making it clearer than ever for students to discover just how many campuses offer coursework in agriculture, food systems, or natural resources. Whether it's a major or a single course a student chooses to empower their own future, NY's commitment to agricultural education shows we all share the same commitment to tomorrow.”
SUNY has more than 7,500 students enrolled in agriculture and other related programs across New York State, including Agribusiness Management to Equine Science, Environmental Science, Viticulture, Veterinary Science and Food Systems & Technology. Each year, more than 1,300 students graduate from agriculture and other related programs. 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.
SUNY has worked to expand opportunities for students to pursue agriculture and support New York’s farmers. 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 SUNY Agritech Center launch, 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 the agriculture industry in New York. In September 2023, SUNY convened the first Agriculture 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.
The partnership between SUNY and the New York State Future Farmers of America also builds on Governor Kathy Hochul’s efforts to support New York States farmers. In her 2026 State of the State agenda, Governor Hochul proposed $30 million in direct payments to New York’s specialty crop growers, livestock producers, and dairy farmers to help support New York’s agricultural sector and offset rising costs from tariffs. In May 2025, Governor Hochul also celebrated the 100th anniversary of the New York State FFA organization and announced the construction of a new FFA building at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. To further support agricultural education, in 2024 Governor Hochul convened the first youth agriculture leadership conference and announced the establishment of a Blue-Ribbon Panel to Advance Agriculture Education.
Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Chair of the Higher Education Committee said, "Agriculture is central to New York’s economy and to communities across our state. This partnership will help young people understand the opportunities available to them from agricultural business and environmental science to the emerging technologies shaping modern farming. I commend Chancellor King and FFA for creating stronger connections between our schools and SUNY’s outstanding agriculture programs."
Senator Michelle Hinchey, Chair of the Agriculture Committee said, “The future of our food supply, and of agriculture across New York, hinges on preparing the next generation to step in and lead. As more of New York’s generational farmers look to retire, SUNY’s new partnership with FFA is a smart launching pad for young people to see the wide range of career opportunities available in agriculture and to pursue them with confidence. I thank Chancellor King for using the SUNY platform to elevate careers in agriculture and for recognizing how vital a strong ag workforce is to New York’s future.”
State Assemblymember Donna Lupardo, Chair of the Agriculture Committee said, “I welcome the partnership between SUNY and FFA being announced today. FFA is one of the premier youth leadership development organizations in the country, with former members in successful careers in agriculture and many other fields. Combining FFA’s hands-on experience with SUNY’s growing portfolio of agriculture-focused coursework is a winning combination.”
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 one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit the SUNY website (suny.edu).
About New York State FFA
Administered by Cornell University, the New York State FFA Association is a youth organization that helps middle and high school students become leaders in a variety of career fields, including agriculture. NY FFA develops premier leadership, personal growth and career success through activities and opportunities nationwide. Learn more about NY FFA at the New York Agricultural Education website (www.nysffa.org).
Veronica Chiesi Brown
Community Relations
02/19/2026