29/05/2026
“A Jewel for the Country” and a True “Beacon of Knowledge for Macedonia and the Entire Nation”: Minister of Rural Development and Food Margaritis Schinas Visits the American Farm School
The American Farm School was described as “a jewel for the country” and a true “beacon of knowledge for Macedonia and the entire nation” by Minister of Rural Development and Food Margaritis Schinas during his official visit to the institution’s educational facilities and model educational farm.
Minister Schinas arrived at the School’s campus at 11:30 a.m., where he was warmly welcomed at the main gate by the President of the Institution, Dr. Jeff Lansdale, Vice President for Resource Development Athena Peristeropoulou, and Chief Operating Officer Manos Agrodimos. Immediately afterwards, an extensive tour began, during which the Minister witnessed firsthand the School’s pioneering work, the integration of theory and practice, and its innovative approaches to primary production.
In particular, he visited the educational vineyard and then the smart greenhouses, which operate in collaboration with Cisco, where he was briefed on their digital innovations and spoke with students. The tour continued at the School’s dairy facility, as well as the “Pavlos Kontellis Model Agricultural Machinery Technician Training Laboratory,” where he met students of the specialty “Agricultural Machinery Maintenance and Repair Technician” at the Private School of Advanced Vocational Training, who are trained in real-life conditions using modern equipment.
In his remarks, Minister Schinas stated:
“The American Farm School is a jewel for the country, an example of how the primary sector can add value, produce high-quality products, and open pathways to international markets, but most importantly, how it can educate young Greeks in a way that keeps them close to production.
At a time when Greek agriculture is often subject to criticism and negativity, keeping young people connected to the field, livestock, and rural communities is a major national challenge. The American Farm School has been achieving this for more than a century.
My visit is a substantive one, and I want to assure the educational community that the Greek state will stand by them, as we need them as a beacon of knowledge and as a model and catalyst for similar initiatives across Greece.
I would like to congratulate the President, the entire educational community, and the donors for their outstanding work.
As discussions intensify in Europe regarding the Common Agricultural Policy for 2028–2034, addressing the ageing agricultural population is a top priority. We want young farmers to have incentives and restart packages, and the American Farm School provides them with the skills that make the transition into production smoother.
We must connect specialized knowledge with the real economy, as I do not wish to lead a ministry of payments, but a ministry that generates added value and prosperity.”
On behalf of the American Farm School, President Dr. Jeff Lansdale stated:
“It is a distinct honor to welcome Minister Schinas to our institution. His visit reaffirms our long-standing and close collaboration with the Ministry of Rural Development and Food and highlights our shared commitment to strengthening the agri-food sector through education and innovation.
Our research demonstrates that production is being radically transformed through the use of modern digital applications, such as the Cisco systems installed in our greenhouses. Everything we do today continues the mission entrusted to us by our founder in 1904, who spoke of cultivating the stewards of the land.
We had the opportunity to present to the Minister our vision for the future of agriculture, the investments we are making in new technologies, and the way we prepare the next generation of scientists and producers to respond to the challenges of climate change and sustainable development.”
The School’s Trustee and representative of Iowa State University, Dr. David Acker, referred to the application for the establishment and operation of a non-state university in Greece submitted by Iowa State University. He emphasized that, pending approval by the Greek State, a new non-state university will be created in collaboration with the American Farm School.
“We already have 30 years of productive collaboration with the School and look forward to continuing this shared journey for many years to come,” he noted.
Finally, School Trustee Thymis Efthymiadis added:
“The Institution carries out highly important work both for Thessaloniki, by opening its doors to children from urban areas so they can experience agricultural life, and for young people from rural regions seeking to develop new skills.
Our goal is to support Greek agriculture in its transition toward sustainability and the production of high-quality products demanded by consumers.
As Trustees, we continuously support the School’s initiatives through donations, new ideas, and actions, ensuring the continuity of this remarkable work.”
