Vestal High School Hosts Second Annual Agricultural Career Expo

10/9/2012 (Updated 6:55:04 PM)

VESTAL -- Do you think career in agriculture means spending your days on the farm?  It could, but there are also some other intriguing options, as students at Vestal High School found out today.

Vestal High School sophomore Belinda Pelicci was considering her options today, as she walked around the agricultural career expo at her school. She has always wanted to be a  veterinarian. Today she learned how to make her dream a reality

"I've looked at Delhi College so far, and I'm interested in becoming a veterinarian and taking their courses,"  said Pelicci.

Hundreds of other students came out to the second annual event to meet representatives from agricultural schools and different agricultural fields.  Organizers say that the event was designed to expose students to different jobs and teach them that agriculture is not just about farming.

"As more and more people are thinking about where their food comes from and being interested in environmental issues, there is definitely more exposure and interest being put on agricultural careers," said Laura Biasillo, Agricultural Economic Development Specialist at Cornell University.

The event was co-hosted by Cornell cooperative extension of Broome County.  Students flocked to the booths to learn about the importance of beekeeping, animal skeletons, chopped wood, and even cockroaches. 

"Etymologists study the theology, the behavior, the biology in general of those insects and learn how to control the pests," said Aloy Gu, a PhD student at Cornell University.

Students learned that with a career in plant breeding, they can make improved plant varieties such as Soft White Winter wheat, made by Cornell University.

Some students said even if they do not make a career out of agriculture, the expo sparked their interest.

"I'm not super sure about it yet, but I saw some interesting booths i really liked that made me think about it a little bit," said Vestal High School student Kolby Kuratnick

Samantha McDonald, Fox 40 News.


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