State Agriculture Commissioner Congratulates Student Winners of the 2019 New York State Envirothon Competition

State Department of Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball today congratulated the student winners of the annual New York State Envirothon Competition, which took place May 22 and 23 at Hobart and William Smith Colleges.  The team from The Mount Academy in Ulster County was named New York State Champions at the long-standing, hands-on environmental competition, which challenges students on their knowledge of natural resource science, public speaking, and civic engagement. Students from The Mount Academy took home top honors at the national Envirothon Competition in 2018. Skaneateles High School from Onondaga County and Candor High School in Tioga County were awarded second and third place. 

Commissioner Ball said, “Our young people are our future leaders and to have so many students who are excited about protecting New York’s greatest assets—our land, water and natural resources—is truly inspiring.  Farmers are one percent of the population feeding the other 99 percent; with an ever-growing population, the future challenges we have in meeting the food production demand are real.   Congratulations to the 2019 Envirothon winners and all the participants on their hard work and thoughtful presentations in this area.”

Forty-six teams from across New York State competed in environmental science and natural resource management written and oral tests during the two-day competition. The teams, made up of five students from 9th to 12th grades, qualified at the regional or local level and received invitations to the state competition. 

The student team from The Mount Academy will head to the national NCF-Envirothon Competition at North Carolina State University in Raleigh to represent New York State this summer. Each member of the team received a scholarship and the team will compete against other top teams from the U.S. and Canada. 

The Envirothon Competition is a series of field station tests in the areas of soils/land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife, and an emerging environmental issue. The 2019 environmental issue focused on agriculture and the environment, and how to use technology to feed the growing population while also protecting the environment.

The 2019 New York State Envirothon was made possible through the contributions of several sponsors and partnering agencies, including the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. The Department’s Land and Water Division works to protect New York's land and water resources through farmland protection, farmland conservation and proactive environmental stewardship. 

Many federal and state environmental agencies, soil and water conservation districts, and higher education institutions provide expertise and help organize the event.  Organizations willing to assist with student travel expenses should contact NYS Envirothon Chair Blanche Hurlbutt at 607-965-6316 for more information. 

President of the New York State Conservation Districts Employee Association Chastity Miller said, “It is amazing to be part of the NYS The NYS Soil and Water Conservation Committee; NYS Soil and Water Conservation Districts; the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets;  the Envirothon every year! Encouraging students in the field of environmental sciences and natural resources helps to secure our future and foster an appreciation and responsibility to enhance and protect our world.”

About NYS Envirothon The New York State Envirothon is coordinated by the New York State Envirothon Committee consisting of members of the NYS Conservation District Employees Association, NYS Soil and Water Conservation Committee, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, and volunteers. The program services hundreds of high school students throughout New York State and the five city boroughs. Winning teams from regional and county Envirothon competitions advance to the state level and then to the national level Envirothon, earning awards and scholarships at each level. The program is funded from contributions and grants from individuals, businesses, and organizations. Contributions are tax deductible through the NYS Environmental Education Foundation and a portion of all contributions go towards the program. Additional information about the program and sponsorship opportunities can be found at www.nysenvirothon.net.

Sponsors of the 2019 NYS Envirothon include: Environmental Education Foundation; Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; NYS Conservation District Employees’ Association, Inc.; the Empire Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society; Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation; NYS Association of Conservation Districts; Steuben County Soil and Water Conservation District; Kenneth and Teresa Stabler; Bergmann and Associates; Fage USA Dairy Industry, Inc.; Swift Farms; Seward Sand and Gravel Inc.; Cattaraugus County Trappers Association; New York Central Mutual Fire Insurance Co., Inc.; Hickling’s Fish Farm, Inc.; Meadowview Tree Farm Nursery; Seneca Meadows, Inc.; The Water Bottle Inc.; Chobani, LLC.; Stewart’s Shops; Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District; St. Lawrence County Soil and Water Conservation District; Chenango County Soil and Water Conservation District.