New York Farm Bureau Concludes 2025 State Annual Convention

New York Farm Bureau Concludes 2025 State Annual Convention

Delegates craft policy; mini-grant winners announced; members honored

American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall and Department of Agriculture & Markets Commissioner Richard Ball among invited speakers

Contact: Amanda Powers, Director of Communications [email protected]

Verona, NY - New York Farm Bureau (NYFB) wrapped up its State Annual Convention yesterday, registering more than 450 attendees and nearly 70 sponsors for the three-day event.

The theme for this year's convention, "Navigating Your Ag Future," brought together members, agribusinesses and thought leaders to collaborate, exchange ideas, examine emerging trends, promote the agricultural industry and more.

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall attended the event to join a town hall with NYFB President David Fisher, where the presidents discussed top priorities for Farm Bureau and fielded member questions. Duvall also delivered an inspirational speech to members of Young Farmers & Ranchers in attendance, underscoring the importance of engaging young people and training them to be the leaders of the next agricultural generation.

Maureen Ballatori, founder and CEO of creative group Agency 29, was the keynote speaker. Ballatori provided an overview of artificial intelligence, with useful tools and tips for members to take back to the farm. In addition, Morgan Walker, managing director of brand marketing communications at AFBF, presented a talk on achieving healthy outcomes for America's families and communities.

"Over the past few years, I've watched our State Annual Convention grow into a banner event for members and agricultural partners across the state. It's a time for farmers to take a rare step away from the farm and come together in fellowship and learning," said New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher. "It's also a time to engage in spirited debate as we formulate policy for 2026."

Delegates engage in grassroots policy process

Yesterday's State Annual Meeting, a full day of policy review, brought together delegates from 50 county Farm Bureaus to engage in robust discussions of hundreds of policy issues. Delegates vote on policy positions for which New York Farm Bureau advocates at the state and federal levels.

Highlights of policy resolutions include:

• Support of expanding the definition of "farm operation" in state law to include nonprofit farms, urban agriculture operations and hydroponic and aquaponic systems.
• Support of the promotion of beef consumption in New York schools and public institutions. NYFB also supports legislative development of programs that encourage the continued existence and expansion of beef processing facilities in New York.
• Support of USDA implementation of a plan to permit vaccination of poultry against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
• Support of agrivoltaics projects that achieve integrated and simultaneous production of both solar energy and marketable agricultural products.
• Support of the expansion and improvement of existing nuclear energy facilities to meet growing energy needs. NYFB also supports establishing new nuclear plants or refurbishing older facilities with an emphasis on small modular reactors, provided there is a safe evacuation plan.
• Opposition of the land application of biosolids that have detectable amounts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and/or elevated levels of heavy metals. NYFB supports DEC testing of any sludge or composted sludge - including but not limited to biosolids, paper mill waste or dredging soils - to determine if they are free of heavy metals, forever toxins, and other DEC-identified toxic substances prior to land application for agriculture or other uses.

NYFB will release a full list of legislative priorities in January.

New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball addressed the delegates, praising them for engaging in a democratic process to create and modify policy. He also reminded attendees of the importance of sharing experiences and involving young people in the future of farming.

Delegates also elected Lavern Warriner, Ryan Akin, Dan Palladino, Mike Murphy, Steven Smith and Ryan Andoos to the NYFB Board of Directors.

Grant winners and honorees announced

New to the convention this year was a mini grant competition, in which selected finalists had two minutes to pitch innovative agriculture projects in front of a live panel of judges. The first-place prize of $5,000 was awarded to David Campbell of Mapleland Farms, who advocated for purchasing sap-chilling equipment to support climate-resilient maple production. The second-place prize of $2,500 was awarded to Mary Jeanne Packer of Battenkill Fibers, who pitched for expanding her fine wool processing capacity. Honorable mention prizes of $500 were awarded to Patrick Barczys of Treetop Acres for smart irrigation and climate-resilient water management; Connor Alan Howley of Howley Honey for a resilience and profitability plan; and Austin Fargnoli of Fargnoli Beef Co., who pitched for a new feed yard.

At the awards banquet Wednesday night, Eric Ooms received the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, New York Farm Bureau's highest honor. Ooms served for 16 years as vice president of New York Farm Bureau and as a leader on the Young Farmers Committee. A resident of Columbia County, he co-manages A. Ooms & Sons Dairy Farm with his family, blending tradition and innovation on their 500-cow, 2,000-acre operation.

Kevin Bittner was the winner of the James Quinn Award, which honors an outstanding leader and advocate for agriculture over the past year. Bittner, president of Niagara County Farm Bureau, guided his board through challenging situations, supported key legislative efforts and helped members navigate the NYFB policy book revision process. He works full-time on his family's 400-acre fruit farm, Bittner Singer Orchards.

The banquet wrapped up with the announcement of raffle winners. Heidi Nicholas was the first-prize winner of a Champion Power Equipment portable inverter generator, and Dan Palladino was the second-prize winner of a Dewalt Tough System tool bag. Both prizes were provided by Grainger. Bruce Murray was the winner of a thermal imaging camera, and seven attendees won wine bundles donated by New York Farm Bureau member vineyards. An ag-related trivia game and cornhole tournament provided lively evening entertainment.

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New York Farm Bureau is the state's largest agricultural lobbying/trade organization. Its members and the public know the organization as "The Voice of New York Agriculture." New York Farm Bureau is dedicated to solving the economic and public policy issues challenging the agricultural community.