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Over a thousand students experienced the diversity of academic programs offered at ��Ӱֱ�� State during the Veterinary, Agricultural, Sciences, and Technology (VAST) career discovery event. The event was organized by the college’s Agriculture and Veterinary department and was hosted on the college farm. 

“This event allows us to bring students from across the state,” stated Vice President for Enrollment Management Kishan Zuber. “School districts are here from as far as three hours away and they are being introduced to ��Ӱֱ�� State and all the hands-on activities that we have.”  

Students from forty school districts had the opportunity to explore over forty different hands-on events staged around the farm. ASC faculty members and students introduced and let participants try for themselves skills including but not limited to surveying land, performing an ultrasound on a goat, operating heavy equipment, playing a video game created by an ��Ӱֱ�� State student, and to stitch an animal.  

Masonry student Kendra Hammond was one of many students that joined faculty to interact and speak with the participants. “It's exciting to see prospective students and see the future of ��Ӱֱ�� State. I changed my major in March of my senior year and decided I wanted to be hands-on.” 

Andrea Elward, ’10, has brought her agriculture students from Prattsburgh to this event for many years. “I've always made sure to make this experience a priority. It started off as an ag skills day, which was more of a competition, and now it's a little bit more freelance where the kids get to explore. It's really cool to see how the barns have changed, how the program has changed and just modernized since I was in school.” 

Agriculture and Veterinary chair Phil Schroeder organized the event and had representatives from each of the three schools on campus participate. Students also had the chance to try their hand in extracurricular activities at the college like archery, woodsmen, and baseball. Local food trucks were available to feed the students. 

Zuber continued “We are super excited and very grateful to the districts for taking the time to get their students out and seeing what the next step will be for them in their educational career.” 

Schroeder and the agriculture and veterinary technology students will keep the excitement going tomorrow as they host the program’s annual Kiddie Ag Day. ��Ӱֱ�� State students will lead local first and second graders on tours of the farm. 

��Ӱֱ�� State students will have an opportunity to explore the college farm on Saturday at the Autumn Farm Adventure. Students can tour and learn about the farm and meet the farm animals between Noon and 2 p.m.