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.
Congratulations to our new 2019 Officers
Chairman, Tom Cosgrove
Vice Chairman, Mary Jeanne Packer
Secretary, Maureen Marshall
Treasurer, Michael Maffei
Past Chairman, Bruce Krupke
Executive Secretary, Elizabeth Seme
January 2019 Annual Meeting
Members of the Empire State Council of Agricultural Organizations (CAO) joined together with industry representatives at the 2019 CAO Annual Meeting January 11, 2019. Thank you to everyone who attended. After a morning session that included addresses from NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball and Cornell University Dean Kathryn Boor, Daniel Wixted of Cornell University - Pesticide Management Education Program (PMEP) gave a presentation on Glyphosate: The Untold Story.
Members reviewed and voted on policy changes for the 2019 Policy Book. Attendees were joined in the afternoon by the newly elected Senate Agriculture Chair, Senator Jen Metzger, Assembly Agriculture Chair, Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, and newly elected Senator Rachel May. All three legislators made brief remarks to the attendees and said they looked forward to working with the CAO and its members.
February 2019 Lobby Day
Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, February 5, 2019 for CAO's Lobby Day. Lobby Day issues were identified during the Annual Meeting and two of the issues that will be highlighted at Lobby Day are NYS Budget priorities and expanding the Farm Workforce Retention Credit. If you would like to attend and have not yet registered, please contact Sue VanAmburgh in the CAO office at sue@nysta.mobi or 518-783-1322.