By Blake Jackson
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball delivered the State of Agriculture Address on January 8, 2026, during the 194th New York State Agricultural Society Annual Forum at the Wegmans Conference Center in Rochester.
The Forum, known as the State’s oldest and largest agricultural meeting, highlighted the progress of New York agriculture in 2025 across multiple priority areas. This year’s address was paired with videos demonstrating the tangible impact of the State’s initiatives supporting diverse sectors, including school food, agricultural education, dairy, and environmental protection.
“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,” said Commissioner Ball.
“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.”
Under the Forum theme of “Harvesting Change,” Commissioner Ball emphasized the importance of adaptation in response to global, national, and local challenges.
Commissioner Ball highlighted key programs that help farmers modernize and remain flexible, including the Dairy Modernization Grant Program, Aquaculture Infrastructure Grant Program, and NYS Grown & Certified Infrastructure, Technology, Research and Development Grant Program.
Climate and land-focused initiatives, such as the Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program, Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program, and Farmland Protection Program, were also featured.
Commissioner Ball called the 2020s “the decade of collaboration,” stressing partnerships to advance agricultural education, workforce development, innovation, and environmental protections. Commissioner Ball also noted programs supporting a resilient food supply chain, including Nourish New York, Farm-to-School, Urban Farms and Community Gardens grants, and Farmers’ Market Resiliency grants.
Additionally, the efforts to promote New York producers through Taste NY and NYS Grown & Certified programs while maintaining essential functions to protect public health, animal and plant health, and the food supply.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-kotenko-a
Categories: New York, Government & Policy