Patrick
Hooker
Title: Commissioner
Organization: New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets
Office Phone: 518-457-8876
Office Fax: 518-457-3087
Mailing
10B Airline Drive
Albany, NY 12235
Shipping
10B Airline Drive
Albany, NY 12235
Patrick Hooker is New York State’s 26th Agriculture Commissioner, overseeing the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Pat joined the Spitzer Administration on January 11, 2007 with principal responsibility for addressing agricultural economic development, environmental stewardship, and food safety issues to ensure agriculture remains a significant contributor to New York’s economy and quality of life.
Pat previously worked for New York Farm Bureau for 16 years as the farm advocacy organization’s top lobbyist, serving as Director of the Public Policy Division. He has also worked in the State Legislature – first as the Rural Affairs Advisor for the State Assembly Minority Leader, and later as the Director of the New York State Senate Agriculture Committee.
Pat grew up in rural Madison County, working on a neighbor’s dairy farm. In school, he was active in the Junior Holstein Club, as well as FFA, which he served as State FFA President and received his American Farmer degree. Pat received his Associate's degree from Morrisville State College and his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education from Cornell University.
Pat and his wife Karen have two children, Erika and Mitchell. Together, they own a 360-acre farm in southern Herkimer County, where they grow hay, board horses and produce maple syrup.