SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Sound environmental stewardship is critical for the long-term viability of New York’s agri-food system and natural resource industry. Management outcomes directly impact local communities and the industry’s long-term viability as competitive food and fiber providers globally. As new technology and research comes online, stakeholders will take on a larger role as carbon harvesters. Join advocates, decision-makers, and aspiring leaders in-person January 6, 2022, at the Syracuse OnCenter for the historic 190th Annual Forum of the NYS Agricultural Society as they discuss “Growing a Greener Planet.” To register, go to www.nysagsociety.org.
Morning Keynote: A.G. Kawamura
A.G. is a third generation produce grower and shipper who has a lifetime of experience working within the shrinking rural and urban boundaries of Southern CA. He is a former Secretary of the CA Department of Food and Agriculture and is founding co-chair of Solutions from the Land, a nationally recognized non-profit that is developing innovative and sustainable climate smart collaborations for 21st century agriculture
What’s Happening in NYS?
Suzanne Hunt, seventh generation on her family’s farm and 40-year-old sustainable winery, and Brian Steinmuller of the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, will distill down issues and strategy that are driving climate change policy in Albany. Brian is the Assistant Director of the Division of Land and Water Resources, Soil and Water Conservation Committee Unit of the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets. Guiding 58 County Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the committee also administers the state’s Agricultural Environmental Management, Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control, Climate Resilient Farming and the State Aid to Soil and Water Conservation Districts programs.
Afternoon Session Focuses on Decarbonization Opportunities
Arriving in Ithaca August 2020, Benjamin Houlton is the 12th Ronald P. Lynch Dean of CALS at Cornell University. He will moderate a three-person panel featuring:
• Tristan Brown, Associate Professor of Energy Resource Economics and Director of the Bioeconomy Development Institute at SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry
• Aaron Ristow, Agricultural Stewardship Program Manager at American Farmland Trust who is leading the Genesee River Watershed Demo Farm Network
• Tinia Pina, founder and CEO of Re-Nuble, Inc., an agricultural technology company headquartered in NYC which uses organic cycling scienceTM technology to transform unrecoverable vegetative food byproducts into a platform of sustainable technologies for soilless farming
Annual State of Agriculture Address
NYS Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball will provide his annual State of Agriculture Address. He will report on ongoing efforts to help NY’s farmers and agricultural businesses overcome today’s climate and marketplace challenges.
Honorees in Eight Award Categories to be Recognized
Given the significant and diverse participation of attendees, the Annual Forum is an ideal platform to honor individuals and businesses who have lifted the state’s ag and food industry to new heights in terms of environmental stewardship, consumer outreach, farm safety and the production of quality, safe foodstuffs. NYS Ag Society honors are presented in eight categories including: farm safety, agricultural promotion, FFA chapter, journalism, next generation farmers, business of the year, distinguished service, and century and bicentennial farms. In 2022, award videos featuring the unique stories of NYS Ag Society winners will debut on January 6th.
The mission of the NYS Agricultural Society is to build a robust future for the New York food, agricultural and natural resource industries by providing networking and educational opportunities for its strongest advocates, decision-makers, and aspiring leaders. For more Forum information, including how to register for the online event, visit www.nysagsociety.org or contact Executive Secretary, Ann Noble Shephard, at ann@nysagsociety.org, (315) 727-5449.
–NYS Agricultural Society