New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball delivered the State of Agriculture Address last Thursday at the 194th New York State Agricultural Society Annual Forum, outlining the agricultural industry’s progress in 2025.
The forum, which is traditionally the oldest and largest agricultural meeting of its kind in the state, took place at the Wegmans Conference Center in Rochester. This year’s address was accompanied by a series of videos, showcasing the on-the-ground impact of the state’s efforts to support the many diverse sectors of New York agriculture, including school food, agricultural education, dairy and environmental protections.
“We all have a shared mission, a common goal, that brings us together: To uplift New York agriculture, to see it grow and thrive. It’s because of this, despite all that is going on in the background, I carry tremendous optimism for the future of our industry here in New York,” Commissioner Ball said.
“With the support of our governor, here in New York state, we are staying the course. We are working harder than ever toward our number one priority of supporting our farmers, our producers, our food businesses and our families who rely on the food we cultivate.”
In keeping with this year’s forum theme of Harvesting Change, Ball spoke about the need for adaptation in the face of challenges New York farmers face on global, national and local fronts.
The commissioner highlighted the progress of the state’s many programs aimed at helping industry stakeholders evolve and adapt, including through climate- and land-focused initiatives, such as the Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program, Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program, and the Farmland Protection Program, and through programs aimed at helping farmers modernize their operations and remain flexible, like the Dairy Modernization Grant Program, Aquaculture Infrastructure Grant Program, and NYS Grown & Certified Infrastructure, Technology, Research and Development Grant Program.
Calling the 2020s “the decade of collaboration,” Ball additionally emphasized the need for the agricultural community to continue working in partnership to tackle challenges and uncertainties and highlighted the many opportunities the industry has before it. This includes the state’s efforts to provide increased support for agricultural education and agricultural workforce development, ensure continued innovation in the future of the industry and maintain its high level of environmental protection programming.
Ball also highlighted the department’s continued work alongside its many partners to ensure Gov. Kathy Hochul’s priority of a strengthened food supply chain through several programs and initiatives, including the Nourish New York program, Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grant Program, Regional School Food Infrastructure Program, Farmers’ Market Resiliency Grant Program, Farm-to-School initiative, 30% NYS Initiative, and the New York Food for New York Families program.
He also spoke about the department’s ongoing activities to promote New York producers through the Taste NY and NYS Grown & Certified programs and to maintain its essential functions to protect public health and the food supply, ensure animal and plant health, and protect consumers and businesses.
Watch the State of Agriculture speech on YouTube at youtube.com/watch?v=SzbezViiPOM.
A transcript of the Commissioner’s remarks, as prepared, can be found at agriculture.ny.gov/2026-state-agriculture-address.
COMING TOGETHER
The New York State Agricultural Society Annual Forum brought together representatives from all sectors of the agricultural industry to discuss topics crucial to the future of New York agriculture.
This year’s forum focused on how stakeholders are adapting to policy, innovation and market shifts in the transforming landscape of food and agriculture in New York, across the United States and beyond.
In addition to a number of education workshops and panels throughout the day, the New York State Agricultural Society honors were presented in eight categories to industry stakeholders including Ag Promotion, Business of the Year, “Cap Creal” Communications recognition, Century and Bicentennial Farms, Distinguished Service, Farm Safety, Next Generation Farmer and NY FFA Chapter of the Year.
