Alfred State College (ASC) was one of ten organizations to receive an Agriculture and Food Systems Workforce Development Grants. ASC was awarded $499,256 to develop a pair of new programs.
NY State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball announced $3 million in awards to assist in the creation and expansion of programs that prepare individuals for jobs in New York’s diverse agriculture and food sectors.
Commissioner Ball said, “As the demand for New York’s agricultural products continues to increase, we need a strong and skilled workforce that is ready to meet our consumers’ demands. That’s why our Agriculture and Food Systems Workforce Development Grant Program is designed to help support organizations across our state as they provide the training and opportunities needed for workers to build a rewarding career in agriculture, while also helping to attract and retain people who are passionate about the important work we do in our industry. I congratulate all the grant recipients, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact these programs will have on New York agriculture.”
Led by Agriculture and Veterinary Technology Chair Dr. Phil Schroeder and Agriculture Assistant Professor Patricia Eshelman, Alfred State will establish a new nine-month Data Integrated Animal Production Systems Technician certificate and a 15-week microcredential in Agricultural Data Management.
“We are excited to develop and implement these new programs,” commented Dr. Schroder, “We are grateful for the support from the NY Department of Agriculture which will allow us to teach new skills to current and aspiring professionals in agriculture fields.”
Awarded recipients were eligible to receive a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $500,000 in grant funding. Awardees are required to provide a minimum 20 percent match, which may be met through the awardee’s own resources and/or in-kind services.
Alfred State’s proposal was selected from a highly competitive pool of forty-five applicants dedicated to strengthening New York's agricultural and food systems workforce.
The Department of Agriculture and Markets promotes New York State agriculture and its high-quality and diverse products, foster agricultural environmental stewardship, and safeguard the state’s food supply, land, and livestock to ensure the viability and growth of New York’s agriculture industries.