ITHACA, N.Y. — New York Agriculture in the Classroom, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and New York FFA, hosted the first Youth Competition during this yearâs Grow-NY Food and Agriculture Business Competition. Nine youth participants presented their innovative business pitches to a panel of judges for a chance to win a $2,000 prize to invest in their enterprise. Selected based on a competitive proposal process, the next generation of business developers, agriculture, food, and technology leaders engaged in this unique program. Twin brothers Ethan and Oren Welch of Marion, NY were named as winners for their booming business building apple bins for the apple growers in their region.
Along with the chance to give their pitch on the youth stage, selected students were able to attend the Grow-NY Summit to watch pitches from the top food and agriculture startups, listen to a series of themed panels discussing some of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the food and agriculture industry in New York, and network with an array of startups, incubators, economic development agencies, and small business partners.
The featured youth competition judges included Ed Bizari, Entrepreneurial Fellow for the Centennial Center at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Jessica Henesy, Economic Development Program Specialist at the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, Bruno Xavier, Associate Director of the Cornell Food Venture Center, Cornell AgriTech, Derek Hill, New York FFA Director, and youth judge Paige Warren, New York FFA Vice President.
Derek Hill said of his judging experience, â”It is empowering to see our youth taking such interest in the future of agriculture and growing their skills as entrepreneurs who will lead the next generation of agriculturalists.”
More information about the Grow-NY Youth Competition can be found by visiting the New York Agriculture in the Classroom website at www.agclassroom.org/ny. New York Agriculture in the Classroom is a partnership of Cornell University, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, New York State Education Department, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and New York Farm Bureau. New York Agriculture in the Classroom fosters an awareness, understanding, and appreciation of our food and fiber system.
Grow-NY Youth Competition Winners
First Place- $2,000
Ethan and Oren Welch, Grade 10
Welch Brotherâs Bin
Marion, New York
Second Place- $1,000
James Eshelman, Grade 8
EIEIO Farm
Scio, New York
Third Place- $500
Gordon Tibbitts, Grade 7
Tibbitts Bros. Farm Stand
Clinton, New York
Fourth Place- $250 value in training from the
Cornell Food Venture Center
Silas Alvarez, Grade 8
Silas Sauce
Rochester, New York
–New York Agriculture in the Classroom
Cornell CALS
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES
INDIANAPOLIS â Winners of the National FFA Organization’s Career and Leadership Development Events were announced at seven sessions throughout the National FFA Convention, Oct. 26-29 in Indianapolis. In these numerous educational activities, FFA members practice the lessons taught in agricultural education classes. The contents and top four finishers for each were: Agricultural Communications CDE The National […]
INDIANAPOLIS — The 45 winners of the 2022 Agricultural Proficiency Awards were named during multiple sessions of the 95th National FFA Convention & Expo, Oct. 27-28 in Indianapolis. Agricultural Proficiency Awards honor FFA members who, through supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs), have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers. Students compete in areas ranging […]
INDIANAPOLIS â Winners of the National FFA Agricultural Sales Career Development Event (CDE) were announced Oct. 29 at the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. Mrs. Theresa Noll from Indiana served as superintendent of the event. The top ten individuals and the national winning team members received cash awards to recognize their success […]
INDIANAPOLIS — Winners of the 2021 Agricultural Proficiency Awards were named during multiple sessions of the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo, Oct. 27-30, which was held in Indianapolis. Agricultural Proficiency Awards honor FFA members who, through supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs), have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers. Students compete in areas […]
PLAINVIEW, Minn. â The National FFA Convention and Expo will take place October 27-30, 2021 in Indianapolis, IN. The event will be offered in-person with health and safety precautions after the cancellation of a physical event in 2020. There will be corresponding virtual opportunities for students or leaders unable to attend the event in person. […]
