Empire State Council of Agricultural Organizations, Inc. PO Box 304, Latham, New York 12110
Phone 518.783.1322 Fax 518.783.1258
About CAO
The Council was formed to enable its members to develop a united effort on fundamental economic, social, legislative/regulatory and other state and national issues affecting agriculture in New York State. CAO is built on collective strength and policy statements that are unanimously adopted by its entire membership, representing numerous facets of New York’s agricultural industry.
CAO 2026 Board of Directors
Chair: Renee St. Jacques
Vice Chairman: Paul Leone
Secretary: Brian Reeves
Treasurer: Michael Maffei
Past Chair: Jim Bittner
Director: Mary Jeanne Packer
Director: Jodi Smith Krzysiak
Executive Secretary: Sue VanAmburgh
Meetings
Upcoming Events 2026-2027
Dates Coming Soon ....
Annual Meeting 2026
JANUARY 2026 - Members of the Empire State Council of Agricultural Organizations (CAO) joined together with industry representatives in Rochester, NY for the 2026 CAO Annual Meeting. Thank you to everyone who attended. After addresses from NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball and Cornell University Dean Benjamin Houlton, Ph.D., we welcomed and heard from New Industry Leaders -
Aaron Ristow – NY Farm Viability Institute
and Dr. Shelley Mehlenbacher – Cornell University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab. Members then reviewed and voted on policy changes for the 2026 Policy Book.
Lobby Day 2026
Lobby Day 2026
FEBRUARY 4, 2026 - CAO Members were back in Albany to meet with legislators this year. Our day was once again deemed a success. This year, CAO groups visited with over 45 NYS legislators and staff to share our concerns and policy issues.
Thank you to all who could attend!