SYRACUSE, N.Y. — New York’s top agriculture official reviewed the state’s efforts to provide increased support for agricultural education and agricultural-workforce development in 2024, and the desire to build on those efforts in 2025.
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball spoke about both topics as part of his State of Agriculture address on Thursday, Jan. 9. His remarks were part of the 193rd New York State Agricultural Society Annual Forum held at the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center at Oncenter in Syracuse.
The event outlines the agricultural industry’s progress in 2024 in several key priority areas. The forum is traditionally the oldest and largest agricultural meeting of its kind in the state, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets said in its announcement. The theme of this year’s forum was “Trends, Tech, and Teachable Moments.”
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This year’s State of Agriculture address included a special presentation from New York agriculture’s young leaders across the state’s agricultural organizations and programs. They included 4-H; New York FFA; Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS); and the Ag Society Ambassador program, “highlighting the state’s commitment to strengthening agricultural education and workforce development,” the department noted.
“As we hit the ground running in the new year, I am optimistic about the future of agriculture in New York. With the help of our strong network of partners, and our history of innovation and change, New York’s agricultural industry will continue forward,” Ball said in the announcement. “I have seen real progress for our farmers despite the challenges they continue to face. After hearing today from young people who are venturing into agriculture with high hopes and passion for the industry, I feel more confident than ever that we are all in good hands. Let’s celebrate our wins today, even as we roll up our sleeves to do more.”
In keeping with this year’s forum theme, Ball also spoke about the challenge that New York farmers face on the global, national, and local fronts. He also highlighted the many opportunities the agricultural industry has before it, the department said.
In his address, Ball spoke about the department’s continued work alongside its many partners to ensure a strengthened food-supply chain through several programs and initiatives, including Nourish New York, the Farmers’ Market Resiliency Grant Program; the Farm-to-School initiative; the 30% NYS Initiative; the $50 million Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant Program; the FreshConnect Program; the U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded New York Food for New York Families program.
