The New York State Senate has appointed Patrick Brennan as the New York State agriculture commissioner. In the post Mr Brennan will oversee the responsibilities of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, an agency that has both regulatory and promotional oversight of the food and agricultural industry.

Prior to being named commissioner, Mr Brennan served as the state director of USDA Rural Development in New York State from 2001 to 2005, overseeing a $200 million budget to create economic development opportunity and improve the quality of life in rural New York.