Programs
2021 Grow-NY Youth Competition
New York Agriculture in the Classroom, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and New York FFA, hosted the first Youth Competition during this year's 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, "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."
Grow-NY Youth Competition Winners
First Place - $2,000
Third Place - $500
Fourth Place - $250
