New York Ag Commissioner Ball delivers State of Agriculture Address in Syracuse

SYRACUSE, NY- New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball on January 11, 2024 delivered the State of Agriculture Address at the 192nd New York State Agricultural Society Annual Forum, outlining the progress made in 2023 and priorities for the agricultural industry in 2024.

"We are all working through a number of concerns and uncertainties, from disruptions in the marketplace and skyrocketing inflation impacting our farmers and the people we serve, to labor and immigration challenges, the ever-increasing threat of climate change, and everything in between,” Commissioner Ball said.

“But I believe we were designed for such purposes, and no problem is too big for us if we work together. Where there are challenges, there are also opportunities for us to become stronger, more resilient."

Highlights from the address include making $34 million in funding available for on-farm fluid milk storage technologies and processing infrastructure and $21 million for a new Alternative Waste Management and Enhanced Precision Feed Program to further the mitigation of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.

Additionally, the State will provide increased support for agricultural education and agricultural workforce development, and will introduce new initiatives to safeguard public, plant, and animal health.

The State will also focus on developing bio-production within the agriculture and forestry sectors and revitalizing New York's aquaculture industry, ensuring New Yorker's can access a wider range of local food while promoting a healthy climate.

New York State Agriculture Society image.