Empire State Today

Governor Kathy Hochul today celebrated Agricultural Literacy Week in New York, announcing a full slate of reading events planned across the state throughout the week. Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball, and New York staff members are joining thousands of volunteers across the state to visit classrooms and engage with students through a book reading and hands-on activities. Now in its 19th year, Agricultural Literacy Week is a statewide effort organized by New York Agriculture in the Classroom to educate students about the importance of agriculture and opportunities for careers in the industry.

Governor Hochul emphasized the significance of the initiative, stating, "Each year, Agricultural Literacy Week gets our kids reading, learning, and opening their eyes to the opportunities in agriculture that are all around them, and it’s key to ensuring that we will have a thriving agricultural industry here in New York State for years to come."

Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado expressed his pride in participating, stating, “I’m proud to once again participate in the statewide Agricultural Literacy Week effort and get the chance to read to some of our youngest New Yorkers.”

New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball highlighted the importance of educating the youth about agriculture, stating, “One of the most important responsibilities we have as an agricultural community is to instill in our young people an understanding and appreciation of how our food is grown and where it comes from."

State Senator Michelle Hinchey commended the initiative, stating, “In its 19th year, Agriculture Literacy Week continues to be an incredible tool for educating our youngest about where their food comes from, how it's grown, the importance of having a local food supply, and instilling an early sense of responsibility for caring for their environment.”

Assemblymember Donna Lupardo also praised the program, saying, “Each year I look forward to participating in Agricultural Literacy Week. It’s inspiring to see agriculture come to life for students through stories and activities."

New York Agriculture in the Classroom Director Katie Carpenter expressed excitement about the celebration, stating, “Agricultural Literacy Week is our favorite celebration of the year. There is so much excitement in connecting volunteer farmers, food and agriculture industry partners, and youth in agriculture with schools to read a great book highlighting one of our sweetest crops in New York – strawberries!”

New York Farm Bureau Promotion and Education Chair Bill Zalakar highlighted the value of the program, stating, “Agricultural Literacy Week is a wonderful opportunity to share agriculture's story with students across the state. It opens the door for them to learn about where their food comes from and the hardworking people who farm every day."

Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (Cornell CALS) Ronald P. Lynch Dean Benjamin Houlton emphasized the importance of agriculture, stating, “Food and agriculture are the building blocks of society. CALS has been focused on developing the next generation of leaders in agriculture for more than 150 years, inspiring new solutions that benefit New York and the world."

The event marks a record-breaking year with 103,000 students statewide participating in Agricultural Literacy Week, engaging in interactive lessons and activities aimed at promoting agricultural literacy.