Food Systems Career Day | March 12, 2026
Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES
Registration is OPEN!
Thanks to our 2026 sponsors.
– – – – Program Highlights – – – –
Keynote Speaker Owen Weikert, Director of Corporate Sustainability at Cayuga Milk Ingredients, will discuss how growth of the dairy industry is advancing human nutrition, sustainability and career opportunities.
Apprenticeship Opportunities
Ed Staehr, Staehr Family Farm Management, Inc., Facilitator
- Erin Humphrey Konuma of Silver Tree Forest Farm
- Tad Patterson, Youngstock Manager, Patterson Farms, Inc.
- Eileen Donovan, Manager of Apprenticeship and Workforce Development, Manufacturers Association of Central New York
- Julia Smith, Director of Learning and Development at Upstate Niagara Cooperative
Artificial Intelligence
Alyssa Roorda, Agriculture Teacher & FFA Advisor, 8th Grade Class, Union Springs & Port Byron CSDs, Interviewer
- Anthony Colangelo, Senior Innovation and AI Lead, Farm Credit East
Growing Hope Locally
Youth Growing Projects: Awards and Application Process
Growing Hope Globally
Spruce Haven Farm Biochar Research Project
- Dairy farmer Doug Young, Kirstin Workman, Cornell PRO DAIRY and Union Springs FFA Students and Advisor Alyssa Roorda
- Funding and Awards Recognition
Growing Hope Globally Project Examples
- Curtis Veiock, GHG Regional Director- OH, PA, Eastern Appalachia & East Coast
Breakout Sessions
- Global Farmer Experience led by Curtis Veiock, GHG Regional Director – OH, PA, Eastern Appalachia & East Coast
- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County, Frank Clarke, Agriculture and Horticulture Program Lead; Sara Wagner, 4-H Program Lead; Katy Drake, 4-H Educator
Locally Sourced Lunch
Enjoy a delicious locally sourced lunch prepared by Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES Culinary Students under instruction of Chef Mark Fitzgerald. Donated beef from Spruce Haven Farm, Chickens from Staehr Family Farm, and Milk from Upstate Niagara.