Senator Gallivan Announces Funding for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Livingston County

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan joined representatives of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Livingston County in announcing $25,000 in state funding to support the Agriculture in the Classroom education program.  Senators Gallivan secured the funding during this year’s legislative session.  

“Agriculture is New York’s leading industry and the Agriculture in the Classroom Program helps students gain a better understanding of the important role farming plays in our lives,” Senator Gallivan said.  “The program also gives students interested in pursuing a career in agriculture the fundamentals that they need to succeed and to ensure the next generation of family farmers will keep the industry and New York’s economy strong for many years to come.” 

The grant-in-aid funding was included in the 2018-2019 state budget and was finalized at the end of the 2018 Legislative Session.  Senator Gallivan and Senator Catherine Young (SD-57) each secured $25,000 for the program in Livingston County.

"The hands-on learning experience children gain in the Agriculture in the Classroom program is invaluable. It directly increases their agriculture knowledge and literacy," Senator Young said. "Programs like this are vital to our youth and their need to understand the agriculture industry that surrounds them. Supporting the Agriculture in the Classroom program is an investment in the future. Anything that benefits agriculture in the Empire State, benefits us all."

“Cornell Cooperative Extension of Livingston County is very appreciative of Senator Gallivan and Senator Young for securing the 2018/2019 Agriculture in the Classroom grant,” said Louie Bo Freeman, Executive Director of Livingston County Cornell Cooperative Extension. “The funding will allow us to continue educating students in every school district in Livingston County. Teaching youth, especially at a young age, about the facts of where their food comes from, the importance of agriculture as an industry, the many promising careers in agriculture, and the need for a diverse agricultural workforce is critical to the sustainability of agriculture today and tomorrow. The funding will enable us to build upon the thousands of student contacts in the 2017-2018 grant year using new and creative hands-on learning experiences for students”

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