FFA Students Meet With Senator Seward During Maple Day

ALBANY, 03/19/19 -- State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I/Ref – Oneonta) met today with FFA students from Mount Markham Central School and Sherburne-Earlville Central School during Maple Day 2019 at the Capitol.

“New York State ranks second in the nation in maple production and is home to over 2,000 producers,” said Senator Seward.  “We are fortunate to have a number of quality producers throughout the state, particularly in the areas I represent.  Maple Day is always a great event to showcase our maple products and educate others at the Capitol of the economic importance of the maple industry.”

Senator Seward has consistently lead the fight to support state funding in the state budget for the Maple Producers and to help market other New York grown products. 

“New York State’s maple syrup production continues to grow and producers are finding so many innovative and unique ways to incorporate this farming mainstay into more products.  We need to ensure that New York State continues to encourage growth in this key agricultural specialty,” Seward added.

Senator Seward has also been a strong advocate for FFA programs to assist our next generation of farmers.  Last year he and his senate colleagues were successful in adding $112,000 to the state budget (for a total of $842,000) to expand FFA and help prepare young New Yorkers to become leaders in agriculture.

“It is impressive to see students from both Mount Markham and Sherburne Earlville breathing new life into FFA programs.  The students not only learn about traditional farming, but engineering, science, and business as well,” concluded Seward. 

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