Schoharie Valley FFA Officers Savannah Traverse & Chloe Armstrong were 2 of 126 elite students selected to travel to the state capitol this week to participate in the NY FFA State Leaders Experience. While there, they participated in workshops hosted by NY FFA State Officers to learn about the government, the legislative process and how to engage with elected officials about their experiences in agricultural education. They engaged in a question and answer session with a panel of agricultural industry experts, toured the beautiful NY Capitol building and even had the opportunity for a personal meeting with Governor Kathy Hochul where she spoke on the importance of their leadership in agriculture to support NY’s future.
On Tuesday, FFA members were treated to a pancake breakfast served to them by a number of NY Senators & Assembly Members before they spent the day meeting with elected officials to advocate and discuss their experiences in agricultural education. In addition to speaking with Chris Tague & Peter Oberacker, the elected officials that represent our school district and area, Chloe & Savannah met with Assemblyman Robert Smullen from our neighboring legislative district of NY-118 and the Chief of Staff for Assemblyman Michael Benedetto from NY-82 in the Bronx. Meeting with officials from outside our area gave students the opportunity to discuss the impact FFA has had on them and how agricultural education continues to grow, even in urban areas like the Bronx.
We are proud of Savannah & Chloe for taking this opportunity to serve as a voice for the FFA organization and we cannot thank our elected officials enough for taking the time to meet with students to discuss issues important to the future of the food, fiber, fuel & natural resource industries.
