During L.I. Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting, among 100 or so local farmers and industry-related guests, Kenny Schmitt, long time active Farm Bureau member, retired vegetable farmer from Melville, announced his retirement from NYFB Board of Directors.
Long Island Farm Bureau has been fortunate to have Kenny Schmitt as a leader and representative on the New York Farm Bureau Board of Directors.
LIFB newly elected President Karen Rivara says, “He has represented our needs well and helped steer the organization through some profound changes. Kenny is the one we all go to for advice on issues because he has a great memory and a bright analysis of the challenges we face.”
Mr. Schmitt former LIFB President (1987-1990) served on the NYFB Board of Directors for three separate terms(1989-1993, 1999-2005, 2006-2013) representing Long Island on many issues and keeping both Long Island and NY up to date on all agricultural issues.
“Ken Schmitt has been a tremendous leader, friend, mentor, respected advisor for so many farmers and myself personally”, says Joseph Gergela, LI Farm Bureau Executive Director, “There is no one I trust more with the mission and business of Farm Bureau.” Gergela claims his commitment to New York State Agriculture is second to no one and his wisdom and guidance to LI Farm Bureau has been essential to Farm Bureau’s continued success in maintaining a viable industry.
Mr. Schmitt is a retired vegetable farmer who farmed land in Melville and Yaphank-Wading River with his brother Robert. He has been a Farm Bureau member since 1964 remaining active in leadership roles in addition to numerous committees on the state level, including membership, audit and Safety Group 486. His active involvement also stems to Cornell Cooperative Extension, the County Ag Protection Board and the LI Cauliflower Association over the 2-3 decades.
Replacing Mr. Schmitt on the NYFB state Board of Directors is Robert Nolan of Deer Run Farm in Brookhaven. Mr. Nolan is a long-time
active board member and past president of Long Island Farm Bureau and recipient of Long Island Farm Bureau Amherst Davis Farmer Citizen of the Year in 2011. He was voted into the NYFB Board of Directors during the NYFB State Annual Meeting which took place in Syracuse in early December.
Source: L.I. Farm Bureau press release
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