Workforce Development at the Milk Bar
4-H and Youth Programming
Daniel Welch
Executive Director
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Auburn
Abstract
Forty Central New York teens gained marketable work experience and a greater understanding of the importance of agriculture in our state’s economy while staffing the popular Milk Bar at the Great New York State Fair, held in Syracuse from August 23-September 4, 2023. Recruited primarily from Cayuga and Onondaga Counties, the teens – who ranged in age from 14 to 19 years – sold and served over 285,000 cups of cold refreshing chocolate, white and strawberry milk to fairgoers through workforce training program coordinated by Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE).
With a strong record in youth development through its 4-H programs and a presence in counties across the state, CCE was well-positioned to turn the Milk Bar’s staffing needs into a unique workforce training opportunity for local teens. Before the fair opened, teens took part in paid training that covered food safety practices, basic customer service skills, and job-related tasks for each position. Field trips to a large dairy farm and a sheep dairy in Central New York introduced teens to agriculture and increased their knowledge of food systems and dairy practices.
With coaching and supervision by the CCE managers, teens gained experience in customer service and cashiering, and practiced good communication with members of the public of all ages, and with other team members. One teen said, “I learned how to communicate with management…working at the Milk Bar. Going from a customer to a worker, I learned a lot.” In a survey given at the end of the employment period, teens were asked what skills they learned or improved upon during their Milk Bar summer employment. Respondents cited improvement in time management skills, learning to work with adults, leadership skills such as identifying tasks that needed to be done and following through with them, talking with the public and with young children, handling money and working together on a team. This workforce development program allowed teens to receive on the job training and begin to build their resume and references with experience earned through Cornell Cooperative Extension Cayuga County.
Authors: Jacob Maslyn, Daniel Welch, Heather Ward
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Jacob Maslyn Ag. Economic Development Educator, Cornell Cooperative Extension Ontario County, New York, 14424
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Daniel Welch Executive Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension Cayuga County, New York, 13021
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Heather Ward Milk Bar Manager, Cornell Cooperative Extension Cayuga County, New York, 13021