Relevance
The NYS Fair Workforce Milk Bar program provided valuable workforce training and employment opportunities for forty Central New York teens, offering them hands-on experience and insights into the agricultural sector's role in the state's economy. Coordinated by Cornell Cooperative Extension with the support from the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets, the initiative allowed teens to staff the Milk Bar at the Great New York State Fair, selling and serving over 285,000 cups of milk. Youth were scheduled throughout 13 day fair. Through paid positions as cashiers, milk pourers, and stockers, teens gained valuable skills in customer service, communication, teamwork, and time management. The program also included training sessions covering food safety practices and field trips to local dairy farms, enhancing their understanding of agriculture and food systems. For many participants, this was their first job experience, providing them with foundational skills and confidence for future employment opportunities. The program's success highlights the importance of youth development initiatives in fostering career readiness and promoting agricultural awareness.
Response
Staff from Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Cayuga County played a key role in facilitating a workforce training program at the Milk Bar during the Great New York State Fair. Their efforts were instrumental in helping forty Central New York teens gain marketable work experience and understanding of the agricultural sector's role in the state's economy. CCE recruited teens primarily from Cayuga and Onondaga Counties, providing them with paid positions as cashiers, milk pourers, and stockers. They facilitated the hiring process, including creating job descriptions, sharing program information, and handling payroll. The teens received comprehensive training covering food safety practices, customer service skills, and job-related tasks, with field trips to local dairy farms enhancing their knowledge of agriculture. Throughout the fair, CCE managers supervised the teens, guiding them in customer service, communication, teamwork, and other essential skills. This experience allowed the teens to gain valuable real-world work experience, build their resumes, and develop confidence in a customer service role. Overall, the program successfully equipped the teens with marketable skills and insights into the agricultural industry, fostering their personal and professional growth.
Results
The activities conducted by Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) helped the forty Central New York teens gain marketable work experience and a greater understanding of the role of agriculture in the state's economy in several ways:
Teens received a comprehensive training covering food safety practices, customer service skills, and job-related tasks. For many of the students this was their first paid role. They received direct supervision from CCE managers, who coached them in customer service, communication, teamwork, and other essential skills during their shifts at the Milk Bar. Having staff experienced in working with youth and youth development practices implementing coaching of youth, many of whom were new to working and new to the agriculture industry was essential in the impacts of this program.
Field trips to local dairy farms introduced teens to New York agriculture and increased their knowledge of food systems and dairy practices. These experiences helped teens answer customer questions and recommend other New York dairy-related content at the fair.
Working at the Milk Bar allowed teens to gain real-world work experience, improve their time management skills, learn to work with adults, and develop leadership skills such as dressing appropriately for work and showing up on time. The hands-on experience provided valuable insights into customer service work and allowed teens to build their resumes and references.
Overall, the program coordinated by CCE provided teens with a unique opportunity to gain practical skills, contribute to their communities, and develop a deeper appreciation for agriculture in New York State.
