We are excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2026-2027 Massachusetts Agriculture Youth Council. The purpose of the council is to cultivate and foster the next generation of leaders in the agricultural industry. The council will meet throughout the year to hear from guest speakers from the agriculture industry, learn about the legislative procedures and workforce development opportunities, attend special events and tours, and enhance professional skills.
Participating in the Massachusetts Agriculture Youth Council will provide students with an opportunity to learn about the varied agricultural sectors in Massachusetts, emerging trends and innovation in farming, and deepen understanding of other states’ agricultural issues through connections with youth councils across the United States.
This opportunity is open to rising high school juniors and seniors enrolled in any public or private high school in Massachusetts. Members will serve a 1-year term from June to May. MDAR will select 14 students to serve on the Council, with 1 student selected from each Massachusetts county. MDAR intends to hold monthly meetings, with both in-person and virtual opportunities, on the third Wednesday of the month from 5:00pm-6:30pm.
In-person opportunities, including attendance at events and farm/industry tours, will be available on an optional basis. Transportation to and from events will not be provided by MDAR, but MDAR will make every effort to keep costs as minimal as possible. MDAR will also make every effort to have virtual options for all events whenever possible.
Council members under the age of 18 will require parent or guardian permission to participate on the Council and any events hosted by MDAR in connection with the Council.
We encourage all Massachusetts high school sophomores and juniors to learn more and apply to the Council.
Council Attendance Policy & Expectations
Meeting Schedule: Youth Agriculture Council meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Meetings will take place virtually via Microsoft TEAMS and in-person.
Meeting Attendance Expectations: Regular attendance is essential to ensure meaningful participation and collaboration within the Youth Agriculture Council. All students are expected to attend every scheduled monthly meeting. Absences should be limited to last-minute emergencies only. If a student anticipates being unable to attend a meeting due to an emergency, they should notify the Youth Ag Council Coordinator as soon as possible.
Meeting Assignments: For each session, members will rotate serving in four leadership roles. The schedule for the rotation will be determined at the first meeting. They are:
- Chair: Introduce and thank the speakers
- Vice Chair: Initiate the question-and-answer period and encourage others to ask questions
- Secretary: Take notes to draft a monthly news article about the session
- Social Media Manager: Submit three social media posts for the month about the session.
Participation Expectations: Students are expected to:
- Join meetings on time
- Remain present for the full duration of the meeting
- Actively participate in discussions and activities
- Dress professionally.
In-Person Tours and Events: In-person tours and events offered through the Youth Agriculture Council are optional. However, to gain the full benefit of the program, students are strongly encouraged to make every effort to attend these opportunities whenever possible.
Commitment to the Program: By participating in the Youth Agriculture Council, students are committing to being engaged, respectful of others’ time, and dedicated to their own professional development. All Council members will also complete a final written reflection about their experience at the end of the year.