Twenty high school students participating in the New York State Animal and Agricultural Leadership (AAL) Program visited Alfred State recently. The students also visited Alfred University and Lent Hill Dairy during their immersive, hands-on experience focused on preparing youth for future careers in agriculture and animal science.
This experience is part of the AAL program’s mission to promote positive youth development and align with the Beyond Ready initiative, a nationwide effort to ensure youth are both prepared and empowered to thrive in a changing world. By engaging directly with college faculty, industry professionals, and working farms, participants gain the confidence, skills, and knowledge needed to explore a variety of pathways into the agricultural workforce.
At Alfred State, the group received a full campus tour, including a visit to a student dormitory hosted by admissions staff. Youth enjoyed lunch in one of the dining halls and later participated in a hands-on lab at the college’s working dairy farm. Students had the unique opportunity to palpate cows and perform health checks on calves, gaining real-life experience in animal health, husbandry, and reproduction.
“Agriculture is an uncelebrated foundation to the functioning of a nation” Professor Patricia Eshelman, stated. “Alfred State was excited to have these students visit, knowing that they may have a future in production agriculture and that they know more about their role in their community.”
The group explored the equestrian center at Alfred University and learned more about Lent Hill Dairy’s dairy digester project.
The Animal and Agricultural Leadership (AAL) Program, coordinated by the NYS 4-H Animal Science Team at Cornell University, continues throughout the year with additional in-person events designed to expand youth understanding of agriculture, leadership, and post-secondary opportunities.
This work is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors—Farm Credit East AgEnhancement, the NYS 4-H Foundation, the New York State Farm Bureau, and the New York Agriculture Horse Breeding Development Fund.
