Roy-Hart Ag Program honored by state for ‘outstanding’ work

Press Release, Roy-Hart Central School

MIDDLEPORT – A huge congratulations to Royalton-Hartland High School’s Agriculture Program and its teacher Matthew Sweeney.  Mr. Sweeney was notified that his class had received the 2023 New York State Outstanding Agriculture Secondary Program award.

“This award recognizes the hard work and dedication of the students,” Sweeney said. “We are so appreciative of the support that we receive from the Royalton-Hartland Central School District administration, our Board of Education and the community!”

Sweeney is also the recipient of the 2023 District 9 Golden Owl Award for his devotion to positively impact the lives of students and the program has also received a USDA Farm to School Grant which gets local food in the school’s cafeteria. Roy-Hart is looking to hire another agriculture teacher at the middle school level.

The recognition is the highest honor bestowed to Middle/Secondary Agricultural Programs from the New York Association of Agricultural Educators (NYAAE) at its award banquet on June 21.  “The award is given to a school whose Ag program gives students the skills necessary to be successful in their future career paths,” stated the NYAAE.

The program was brought back to the district in 2016 and more than 700 students have actively taken part in it. The program includes hands-on learning covering agricultural science, food science and advanced agriculture science. Students are very actively involved in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and have competed in several competitions.

Roy-Hart’s agriculture program is now also a regional finalist for Region 6 for the National Association of Agriculture Educators Outstanding Program. Regions 6 includes over a dozen states in the Northeast United States. The winner will be announced in August.