About the NYS Ag Society

Introduced in 1832, the Society was formed to facilitate collaboration at its most basic level. By physically bringing farmers together, ideas, experiences and techniques could be shared and improved upon to feed farm families and a growing nation.

A Remarkable Legacy

  • A Business of the Year honoree and multi-generation family enterprise is RL Jeffres & Sons, Inc., farming 10,000+ acres in WNY.

  • Hemdale Farms & Greenhouses has a 1,200-cow dairy with 100% robotic milking.

  • A Century Farm, Lockwood’s Greenhouses & Nursery of Hamburg, NY has transitioned from a vegetable wholesaler to a sprawling retail garden center.

  • In 1915 the Whittaker family – still thriving today - began farming on 160 acres in Whitney Point.

  • Still in operation today, MORMON HOLLOW FARM was established in 1922 in Sidney Center, Delaware County by the Young family.

  • A Next Generation Farmer winner, the Hanehan family of Saratoga milks over 2,000 cows in a 72-cow rotary parlor.

  • Outstanding in their field, NY’s potato growers are 13th in the nation in potato production.

NYSAS Past Presidents

A NYSAG Society History by Bob Bitz

We Are F.A.R.M.S!

F - Conducting the Annual Forum which attracts upwards of 400 advocates, decision-makers, and aspiring leaders each January.

A - Providing professional development opportunities for Ambassador Scholars - young adults 18-25 years old - to support their career aspirations. Ambassadors are competitively selected for two annual programs. Funding is made possible through charitable contributions to the NYS Agricultural Society Foundation, created by the Society in 2012.

R - Recognizing exemplary leadership in 8 categories on an annual basis at our Forum.

M - Delivering Messaging - both positive and informative - to the non-farm public about the food, agricultural and natural resources industry.

S - Promoting good Stewardship of natural resources and communities.

Members & Leaders

The heavy lifting of the NYS Agricultural Society is done by our diverse membership – a network of nearly 1,000 stakeholders – who are producers, journalists, government officials, agribusiness and professional advisors. In addition to manning our board, volunteers spear-head committees that are central to our mission of education, leadership development, and recognition of industry innovators and leaders.

BOARD MEMBERS

Jessica Woodward, NYS Dept. of Ag & Mkts

Peter Call & William Lipinski - Cornell University Trustee Representatives

Jason Barrett ‘27

Dr. Gary Bergstrom ‘28

Triana Burgos-Farnan ‘26

OUR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Jeannette Kreher Heberling ‘26, President

Shawn Bossard ‘26, VP

Jacob Adams ‘27, Treasurer

Katie Carpenter ‘26, Secretary

Chris Kelder ‘25, Past President

David Chamberlain ‘26

Renee Ciardi ‘28

Elizabeth Donderewicz ‘27

Christina Zick Dumitrov ‘28

Damian Hill ‘26

Michele Ledoux ‘27

Todd Lighthall ‘28

Anna Meyerhoff ‘28

Daren Phillips ‘27

Christina Tuff ‘27

For more information, contact Ann Shephard at ann@nysagsociety.org.