Future Farmers of America to get new facility at New York State Fairgrounds

Recently broke ground on the project

GEDDES, N.Y. — Future Farmers of America (FFA) is looking ahead to the New York State Fair in 2026 when it’s expecting to have a new building at the State Fairgrounds in the town of Geddes. FFA on May 8 broke ground on the new structure. The upcoming facility will “ensure FFA students can continue to showcase New York agriculture to New Yorkers visiting The New York State Fair,” the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul said in an announcement. The 10,500-square-foot building will include a large exhibition space for FFA students to showcase their work, along with conference areas and more. Partners from Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; National FFA; and the New York State Legislature additionally joined to acknowledge the milestone in FFA history at the New York State Fair. “For 100 years, New York FFA has empowered students to lead, serve, and grow in agriculture and beyond,” New York State FFA Director Juleah Tolosky said in the state’s announcement. “This new building at the Fairgrounds is more than a structure — it’s a symbol of what happens when we invest in young people and believe in their potential. We’re grateful to \and our partners across the state for supporting a vision that honors our past while building a stronger future for agricultural education.” Administered by Cornell University, the New York State FFA Association is a youth organization that helps middle and high school students become leaders in a variety of career fields, including agriculture, Hochul’s office said. NY FFA develops leadership, personal growth, and career success through activities and opportunities nationwide, it added. Hochul joined Richard Ball, commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy, New York State Fair Director Julie LaFave, and representatives from New York FFA to officially break ground on the new FFA building. The new structure is part of a $34.7 million project to improve agricultural facilities at the State Fairgrounds that Hochul first announced in 2022. In addition to the FFA building, improvements will include a new show space for goats, which was completed last year. Also on tap is an upcoming new sheep barn and wool center and new horse barn, both of which are scheduled to be ready for this summer’s State Fair. The governor’s executive budget this year includes $35 million in funding for the Fair’s Chevy Court and Suburban Park spaces to “enhance the Fair’s entertainment experiences for concertgoers,” Hochul’s office said.

Time capsule

As part of the groundbreaking ceremony, Ball announced the creation of a time capsule, which will be filled with historical items from FFA’s past and present and sealed when the ribbon is cut on the FFA building. The commissioner dedicated the time capsule’s first entry, clips from several Agricultural Teacher Bulletins from 1926 to 1929, which showcase reports of the development of the Association of New York Young Farmers Club affiliation with FFA. Ball additionally challenged each FFA chapter across the state to find or create an item meaningful to their chapter to go in the time capsule before it is sealed next year. “There’s a long list of things that make The Great New York State Fair the best in the nation, but its continued focus on agriculture is what truly sets it apart, and its deep partnership with FFA has been a huge part of that,” Ball said in the state’s announcement. “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate this powerful program’s centennial than by breaking ground on a new building that will help introduce a whole new generation of young people to the value of our industry and inspire them to pursue meaningful careers in agriculture. I want to thank our Governor, our partners across the state, and of course our very own NY FFA who share this vision and make it a priority — because of their work, I know the future of agriculture is bright.”