Statement from State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball on National Agriculture Day

“National Agriculture Day provides us all an important opportunity to pause and recognize all the hard-working people who are a part of this incredible industry. Our farmers proudly feed our communities and contribute so greatly to not only our economy but our way of life, and their work will always be essential.

As Commissioner, and as a farmer, I’m proud to say that we have an incredibly diverse and unique agricultural industry in New York.  Our state is home to more than 30,000 farms that rank among the nation’s top producers of more than 30 commodities, from plants and flowers to apples, grapes, and cabbage, to maple and dairy.  We have access to water and land, we have rich soils, the best land grant university system in the country, and we have proximity to the largest marketplace in the world.

New York agriculture is primed for growth, and as a State, we are working hard to ensure that we continue to support the agricultural industry, to strengthen the local food supply chain, and ensure the resiliency of our industry for generations to come.

So today, on National Agriculture Day, I ask you to join me in reflecting on the abundance and impact of New York agriculture and the value it has in our everyday lives.”