Oneida County to Deploy Ag Educator into Local Classrooms

Position Will Establish Agricultural Curriculum through CCE

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. today announced a new educator position that will establish agricultural curriculum in local schools.

“Having an educator in our local classrooms fostering awareness and interest in agriculture will further strengthen what is already the number one industry in Oneida County,” Picente said. “This will give our youth an even greater opportunity to learn about the importance food production and service has in our community and the future role they can play in it.”

The ag educator position is a key component to the Oneida County Dairy Farmer Sustainability Action Plan that Picente formulated following a series of forums with local dairy farmers, as well as a main goal of the Oneida County Farmland Protection Plan.

The position is funded by Oneida County and contracted through Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County. It pays approximately $40,000 per year.

Currently there are 15 public school districts in Oneida County, with just four offering agriculture education through the Future Farmers of America: Adirondack, Remsen, Vernon-Verona-Sherrill and Waterville. Out of the 35,725 students enrolled in grades K-12 in Oneida County schools, only 13 percent have access to agriculture education.

“We are excited to have this opportunity to introduce even more students to agriculture,” said Mary Beth McEwen, Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension Oneida County. “This program will raise awareness of the role of agriculture in society and help kids to understand how agriculture touches every aspect of our lives.”

The Oneida County Ag Educator will deliver the established Agriculture in the Classroom curriculum to help youth understand the connections between agriculture, the environment and people and assist with the planning and evaluation of the delivery of the established educational program goals. The educator will also interact with the public through classroom presentation and assist with activities to foster the program with community leaders.

For more information on qualifications, requirements and benefits, and to apply for the position, click here.