New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball is scheduled to deliver the State of Agriculture Address at the 194th New York State Agricultural Society Annual Forum in Rochester. The event will take place on January 8, 2026, at the Wegmans Conference Center and will focus on the agricultural industry’s progress during 2025 and priorities for 2026.
The forum brings together stakeholders from all areas of New York’s agricultural sector, including producers, advocates, decision-makers, and aspiring leaders. This year’s discussions are set to address how participants are responding to changes in policy, innovation, and market trends within New York and beyond.
Commissioner Ball has led the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets since 2014. Under his leadership, the department has worked to promote state agriculture and protect food resources. The department supports farmers through grants such as the Grown & Certified program, which distributed $8.5 million to strengthen farms and food processors statewide (source). It also runs initiatives like the Farmers’ Market Resiliency Grant Program to improve infrastructure and promotion for local markets (source).
The department’s mission includes advancing agriculture while promoting environmental stewardship and safeguarding the state’s food supply (source). With roots dating back to 1841, it continues its work supporting farming activities across New York (source).
