By Blake Jackson
The New York Farm Bureau recently held its 68th Annual Convention in Verona, NY, drawing a record-breaking crowd of over 400 attendees and nearly 70 sponsors.
The event, themed "Farming Forward: Diversification, Innovation, Leadership," focused on the importance of adapting to changing times and embracing new technologies.
“The theme of this year’s convention, ‘Farming Forward,’ is critical to everything we do. We must embrace change to remain successful,” said New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher. “That means fostering relationships with our agricultural partners, with the business community, with state legislators and with federal lawmakers. In this way, we bring everyone together to formulate policy, which is the cornerstone of our organization.”
Keynote speaker Larry Weaver, a renowned comedian and motivational speaker, emphasized the power of hope in the agricultural industry. Larry shared personal stories and positive messages that resonated with the audience.
The convention featured a variety of educational workshops covering topics such as zoning, permitting, weather science, agricultural advocacy, diversification strategies, digital technologies, and leadership development.
The organization also honored several members for their outstanding contributions to agriculture. Robert Somers and Judi Whittaker received the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, the highest honor bestowed by New York Farm Bureau.
The James Quinn Memorial Award, recognizing exceptional service, was presented to Barb Hanselman and Star Bashaw.
Eric Ooms and Tony LaPierre were recognized for their years of dedicated service on the board of directors. David Fisher was re-elected as President, and Kim Skellie was elected Vice President.
Ryan Akin and Michael Murphy were elected to the board of directors, representing Ontario and Franklin counties, respectively. Bill Zalakar and Rich De Meyer were re-elected as chairs of the Promotion & Education Committee and Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee, respectively.
The convention concluded with a full day of policy discussions, where delegates from 52 county Farm Bureaus debated and voted on various issues, including dairy, maple, equine, labor, and renewable energy. The policies adopted at the convention will shape New York Farm Bureau's advocacy efforts at the state and federal levels.
Photo Credit: new-york-farm-bureau
Categories: New York, Business