New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball has invited members of the agricultural community to attend the 194th Annual Meeting and Agricultural Forum, organized by the New York State Agricultural Society. The event is scheduled for January 8, 2026, at the Wegmans Conference Center in Rochester. The forum will focus on how agriculture, food systems, and natural resources in New York are adapting to changes in government policy, regulation, technology, and market trends.
Commissioner Ball will deliver the 2026 State of Agriculture Address during the forum. He stated, “I look forward to this event every year and the chance to discuss new ideas and strategies to grow our industry and make it stronger for the next generation. Our industry is faced with a number of challenges this year, particularly at the federal level, and this forum provides us a great space to not only reflect on the past year and discuss those challenges, but also to collaborate on our priorities as we launch into the year ahead. I thank the New York Agricultural Society for facilitating this gathering of our agricultural partners from across the state and look forward to engaging in the important conversations we need to move the agricultural community forward.”
Jeannette Kreher Heberling, President of the NYS Agricultural Society and 2025 Century Farm honoree said, “The number one reason stakeholders attend the Forum is networking. Representing all sectors of the supply chain, we’re able to reconnect, share insights, collaborate and delve deep into issues. While the big news in 2025 was driven by federal policy changes, production innovations continue to alter the playing field and the retail market basket is changing. The Forum is not a how-to meeting, but an opportunity to glimpse what lies ahead so we can position our businesses effectively.”
The forum’s agenda includes panels featuring speakers from various sectors within agriculture and food business. Barbara Patterson from Torrey Advisory Group will open with remarks about navigating federal policy issues affecting agribusinesses. Martha Hilton and Cathy Gaffney from Wegmans Food Markets will speak about adaptation strategies in retail operations.
After lunch, Nishant Roy from Chobani will join Karen Cartier from Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) to discuss recent investments in New York’s dairy processing sector. Chobani is currently building a $1.2 billion manufacturing facility in Rome, NY.
The closing roundtable titled “Seeding Innovation. Growing Opportunity.” will be moderated by Maureen Ballatori of Agency 29 with panelists including Pauly Guglielmo (Craft Cannery), Peppe Bonfiglio (Mastronardi Produce), and Brian Nicholson (Red Jacket Orchards).
Throughout the day-long event, awards will be presented in eight categories recognizing achievements in areas such as farm safety, journalism, agricultural promotion, next generation farmers development programs like FFA Chapter of the Year recognition; business innovation; distinguished service; as well as century- or bicentennial-farm honors.
The New York State Agricultural Society was founded in 1832 with a mission focused on strengthening New York’s food system through networking and educational opportunities for leaders across agriculture-related industries.
Agriculture remains an important economic sector for New York State with more than $5 billion generated annually statewide across all counties.
