It's apple picking season! Did you know New York produces nearly 25 million bushels of apples per year!? Students in our high school’s Agribusiness class explored Samascott Orchards to learn about a successful agritourism business right here in Columbia County! Jake Samascott graciously led the tour of their 200-acre pick-your-own farm, their new temperature-controlled storage facility, and their cider making machine. Students learned about direct-to-consumer selling, the benefits of growing a diversity of crops, the benefits and drawbacks of agritourism, the return on investment of new machinery, and ways to reduce waste on a farm. Career & Technical Education (CTE) courses like this one offer students hands-on learning opportunities to connect what they learn in the classroom with their community and local industries.
