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 White Plains, NY - A group of 30 high school students from Shanghai, China will spend a day at Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center in Yorktown Heights, on Wednesday, July 23, to learn about agriculture and the environment.
They will be joined by Asian-American students from Westchester schools during their two-week visit, studying English and experiencing the American culture.
Their visit is part of a cooperative student exchange program between Westchester schools and schools in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. The exchange program was initiated by County Executive Andy Spano and a delegation of business leaders and school officials who met with Chinese officials and educators during a trade and partnership meeting in China in 2006.
While at the county-owned farm, students will have a chance to tour the crop fields and demonstration gardens, and be part of a hands-on program experience in sustainable agricultural and environmental practices – learning about composting, the environmental impact of using pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides, the benefits of rotating crops to replenish soil nutrients and natural methods to ward off pests and disease.
Students will also participate in a demonstration of the county’s “Veggie Van,” a mobile classroom that operates on 100 percent used vegetable oil and is used to teach people about alternative fuels, recycling programs and environmental protection.
The visit to Hilltop Hanover is a program of Westchester-Hudson Valley Chapter of Organization of Chinese Americans, in collaboration with the Westchester County Office of Asian Affairs. It is being made possible through a Green Initiative Education program sponsored by Con Edison.
Hilltop Hanover Farm is located at 1271 Hanover Street in Yorktown Heights. It can be reached via the Taconic State Parkway. Take the Millwood/Route 100 exit to Route 100 north. Turn left onto Route 118. Make a right onto Hanover Street. The farm is on the left.
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