CENTRAL BRIDGE —The NYS Agricultural Society was honored to present Century Farm honors to Central Bridge Farms of Central Bridge on January 8. The occasion was the 194th annual NYS Agricultural Society Forum hosted at the Wegmans Conference Center in Rochester, NY. The Forum brings together stakeholders from across the New York food and ag system to examine key industry issues and honor innovators in eight categories. On this occasion, Commissioner Richard Ball of the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets also presents his State of Agriculture Address. See the attached press materials, including photos of the family with the Commissioner. To be eligible for Century Farm recognition, a farm operation must be in continuous operation by the same family on the same footprint for 100 years or more. In 2026, four families were recognized as Century Farms, and one received Bicentennial recognition. Each farm receives outdoor signage and a proclamation from Governor Kathy Hochul.

L to R bottom row: Abby Vanderwerken, Callan O’Hare, Anna Vanderwerken, Debbie Schaffer, Mark, Carol and John Vanderwerken. Top row L to R: David Lane (Farm Credit East/award sponsor), Robert and Elon Vanderwerken, Connor and Rebecca O’Hare, Mattea, Waycon and John Vanderwerken, Commissioner Richard Ball.

L to R: Commissioner Richard Ball, Mattea and John Vanderwerken, Shawn Bossard – Vice President, NYS Agricultural Society.