Assemblywoman Buttenschon Teams-up to Bring the Farm to Students at Denti Elementary
Albany, NY — “When the children can’t get to the farm, we’ll bring the farm to them!,” exclaimed the
Assemblywoman. Thanks to the incredible generosity of Agricultural Advocate Ben Simons and Oneida County
Sheriff Rob Maciol, as well as the flexibility of Denti Elementary’s educators and administrators, today’s planned
field trip to Buttenschon and Scorintino Farms, due to inclement weather, was moved to Denti Elementary
School in Rome, where the Assemblywoman and her partners teamed-up to bring the agricultural experience
directly to the classroom in recognition of Dairy Month.

The highlight of the morning was udder-ly the star of the show, a one-week-old beef calf who made quite the
impression on the Denti students. Each class had the opportunity to meet the calf up close, ask Agricultural
Advocate Ben Simons, affectionately known as ‘Farmer Ben’, their most pressing questions about farm life, and
learn firsthand about how and where their food comes from. Continuing the fun, the Denti students will soon be
holding a naming competition for their new four-legged friend.
Beyond the calving around, educators rotated students through a series of interactive education stations, each
dedicated to one of the four agricultural seasons, giving students a well-rounded look at the rhythms of plant and
farm life throughout the year. Students also got their hands dirty, in the best way, with sunflower planting, and
settled in for book readings that sparked further curiosity and brought the day’s agricultural themes to life.
“The purpose of today was about introducing our children to the agriculture that surrounds us here in
Oneida County, and to have the children walk away with a real connection to where their food comes
from, and an appreciation for our local farmers who make it possible,” said the Assemblywoman. “I am
so grateful for, and extend sincere gratitude to Farmer Ben Simons, Sheriff Maciol, and everyone at
Denti Elementary who made this morning possible. The enthusiasm the children exhibited today gives
me so much hope for the future, and I am happy the connections we made today may help to inspire the
next generation to get involved.” ~Assemblywoman Buttenschon
“I would like to thank Sheriff Maciol, Farmer Ben, and Assemblywoman Buttenschon’s office for
coordinating bringing the farm to our school. Our children are greatly appreciative to experience farm
life.” ~ Jerrad Buttenschon, Kindergarten Teacher at Denti Elementary
“Most young people have no idea where their food comes from, so it is truly so enjoyable to work with
the young children and show them where the food we all enjoy to eat truly comes from, whether it’s
beef, milk, cheese, etc, its all a combination of mother earth and the sun. And it’s an honor to come here
to educate the children, because as time goes on, the distance between the farm family and the
consumer is getting to be five generations away now from where the food truly comes from, so it is so
important that us farmers educate and advocate for the one and most important industry we all have,

and that’s food.” ~ Agricultural Advocate, Farmer Ben Simons.
The event was held in recognition of June as Dairy Month, an annual celebration of the vital role the dairy and
agricultural industries play in communities across New York State and the nation. The Mohawk Valley region is
home to a rich agricultural heritage, and Assemblywoman Buttenschon, a farmer herself, and a consistent advocate
for farmers, farm families, and agricultural education throughout her life, was proud to help share it alongside her
incredible partners today.

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About Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon

Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon proudly represents New York’s 119th Assembly District, encompassing
the cities of Utica and Rome as well as the Towns of Floyd, Deerfield, Marcy, and Whitestown. From a lifelong
educator and former Dean of Public Service and Emergency Preparedness at Mohawk Valley Community College,
to a small family farm owner, Buttenschon brings decades of experience advocating for equity, access, and
opportunity across public health, education, agriculture, and emergency services. In the Assembly, she serves as
Chair of the Committee on Small Business and as a member of the Agriculture, Education, Higher Education, and
Veterans’ Affairs Committees, where she champions bipartisan solutions to improve quality of life. Her work
reflects a steadfast commitment to ensuring that every family in her district and beyond can live with dignity,

support, and a voice in their future.

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