January 14, 2026 | Cornell AgriTech, Geneva, NY

The 2026 Becker Forum, hosted on January 14 by the New York State Vegetable Grower’s Association and Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development (CAWD) at Cornell AgriTech in Geneva, brought together agricultural employers, policymakers, advocates, and service providers for a full day of discussion focused on workforce challenges, policy updates, and collaboration across New York State agriculture.

The forum opened with welcome remarks from Richard Stup, Director of CAWD, who set the stage for a day centered on practical tools, timely updates, and shared problem-solving for the agricultural workforce.

Commissioner Richard Ball, New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets, delivered opening remarks that grounded the forum in a broader historical and generational context. He emphasized that New York agriculture has a long legacy—spanning decades and even centuries—of confronting daunting challenges and finding solutions through sound policy and perseverance. Commissioner Ball noted that agriculture has always faced uncertainty, and that today’s challenges are simply the next chapter in a long tradition of resilience and innovation.

Commissioner Ball underscored New York State’s commitment to “staying the course” for farmers and agricultural employers, even amid economic and political uncertainty. He highlighted the importance of collaboration, calling this moment “the decade of collaboration,” as agriculture faces significant headwinds. He pointed to the role of CAWD and forums like Becker as essential spaces for tackling complex workforce issues together. Looking ahead, he expressed optimism about the future of agriculture, particularly the opportunities represented by the next generation of agricultural leaders, and noted agriculture’s visibility in the Governor’s recent State of the State address.

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