Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) joined the Future Farmers of America (FFA) students from Vernon-Verona-Sherrill (VVS) School District to bring the Mobile Maple Museum to the Westmoreland Elementary School.

“The work that our FFA students put into the Mobile Maple Museum is important in helping educate younger students and the public about the importance of the maple industry in our region,” said Blankenbush, Ranking Minority Member on the Assembly Committee on Agriculture. “Maple production always has been big in our region, and has the potential to grow even bigger. Programs like this may get the next generation interested in agricultural careers, and that is why it is important to share and educate our youth about it.”

The FFA students from VVS School District are guided by teacher Keith Schiebel. The school has an intensive maple production class for students, teaching them about harvesting, production and marketing maple products through hands-on experience.

Earlier this year, Blankenbush voted to increase funding by $4 million to agriculture and markets programs. The Cornell Future Farmers of America, Maple Producers and the Cornell Maple Research programs saw increases in their budgets. Blankenbush supports these investments as they benefit the rural economy.