Download flyer (pdf)

The 2008 - 2009 Agriculture Career Camps are a great opportunity for 7th through 12th graders to get involved as early career leaders in agriculture, food, and farm product development!

One Saturday each month from September 2008 through April 2009, participants will spend a busy day at a farm or food processing plant in the Finger Lakes region. We will visit and learn at working farms, greenhouses, and other food production areas. There will be lots of activities, challenges, and behind-the-scenes tours led by the farmers themselves. Tours include vineyards, dairy farms, greenhouses, hydroponic operations, organic farms, tractor and equipment dealers, livestock farms, wineries, and award-winning grocery stores.

You will get a leg up on seeing the job and career opportunities in our huge agriculture sector, plus we will have optional sessions to guide young entrepreneurs in business development, college admissions, and advanced technology in food and agriculture.

If your family is involved in farming, or if you see a possible future in foods and farming (the future is very bright in this field!), the Agriculture Career Camp will be a great way to spend a few Saturdays coming up.

Download registration form (pdf)

Careers Related to the Environment/Watershed
September 13, 2008

Livingston County will host this career camp session focusing on careers related to the environment and watershed.  Attendees will conduct water sample tests at Conesus Lake, will discuss aquatic life, plant species, and water life health with a biologist from SUNY Geneseo.  Attendees will get to identify insects with an entomologist and discuss run-off issues related to homes, tillage practices, and will discuss how to prevent water pollution with environmental technicians and specialists.

Careers Related to the Viticulture Industry & Field Crop Farms
October 18, 2008

Yates County will host this career camp session focusing on careers in the viticulture and field crop industries.  Attendees will be introduced to a variety of careers in the grape and viticulture industries as well as careers in organic and conventional farming, and other production careers.  Attendees will be picking and tasting grapes, as well as conducting grape characteristic tests and component experiments.

Careers Related to the Dairy Industry
November 8, 2008

Ontario County will host this career camp series session focusing on careers in and related to the dairy industry.  Attendees will visit Hemdale Farms, known for their robotic milk parlor, and attendees will get to run hands-on milk testing experiments.  After lunch, attendees will explore and tour the Karszes calf raising operation, and learn about careers in animal husbandry and management.

Careers Related to the Ag. Mechanics, Livestock, and Swine Industries
January 17, 2009

Seneca County will host this career camp session focusing on careers in agricultural mechanics, livestock, and the swine industries.  Attendees will visit and tour the Monroe Tractor facility then travel to Finger Lakes Livestock facility for a tour and attendees will participate in breed determining comparisons and meat grading activities.  Attendees will then visit Keystone Mills, a large feeder pig management/supply operation to discuss careers in sales, marketing, nutrition, and the veterinary sciences.  

Careers Related to the Horticultural/Greenhouse Industry
February 7, 2009

Monroe County will host this career camp session focusing on careers in the horticultural sciences.  Attendees will tour Fresh Wise (hydroponics) Farm where they will take part in transplanting, harvesting, and wrapping activities while discussing careers.  Attendees will then travel to Lucas Greenhouse to tour the facility and participate in a hands-on activity of seed-starting activity. 

Careers Related to the Fruit and Vegetable Industries
March 21, 2009

Wayne County will host this career camp session focusing on careers in the fruit and vegetable industries.  Attendees will visit the Fowler Farm to learn about how they produce and store their produce.  Attendees will examine different produce varieties, bud viability, and will participate in trimming and grafting activities. Attendees will learn about careers in produce production as well as in marketing and sales. 

Careers Related to the Food Industry and Interactive Forum about Consumer Choices
April 25, 2009

Ontario County will host this career camp session focusing careers in the food industry and consumer product choices.  This event will be the culminating event for the career camp series.  Attendees will visit Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. in Canandaigua, NY where they will participate in a themed in-store scavenger hunt and then will have a discussion and activity about consumer food choices; Attendees will particularly discuss careers in retail over lunch which is provided for attendees.  After lunch there will be a college fair, which will include the following schools: Cornell University, FLCC, SUNY Cobleskill, Morrisville State College, Alfred State College, and BOCES.