CATTARAUGUS — Cattaraugus County Farm Bureau recently celebrated its 100th year at its annual meeting. One way the organization celebrated its birthday was to honor former presidents. Past presidents were listed in the program and those able to attend were gathered together for a photo. Past and present leaders of the promotion and education committee, formerly the women’s committee, were also recognized.
Crystal Abers of the county planning department presented a historical comparison of agriculture. The values and prices of agricultural commodities, productivity comparisons and agricultural priorities were presented.
June Brown, secretary of the organization for nearly 25 years, was recognized, upon her retirement from that position. Brown began her service to the CCFB in this capacity when her husband was on the board of directors. Directors Mark Hansen and Julie Tingue, who stepped down from their service as directors, were also recognized.
Charles Couture was elected for his sixth term as president of the organization. Couture is the owner and operator of Fox Valley Greenhouses. David Zilker, a realtor and retired dairy farmer, was elected as vice president. New directors elected to fill the two vacancies were Robin Degenfelder, dairy farmer from Otto and Darin Hill, dairy farmer from Cattaraugus. These directors will each fill two-year terms. Re-elected were Sue Mager of Little Valley, David Musall of Cattaraugus and Lois Bergan of Humphrey. James Woloszyn will continue as Young Farmer Committee chairman and Alice and Carmen Wright will continue to share the responsibility as Promotion and Education Committee chairpersons.
Resolutions regarding road safety, road use by farmers and transportation of farm equipment were adopted. Also adopted were resolutions on food labeling, tooth floating by non-veterinarians, suggested adoption of town right-to-farm laws, requested repeal of the SAFE Act, adoption of farmland protection techniques and incorporation of agricultural instruction in local colleges and municipal training programs. Those pertaining to state or federal issues were forwarded to the New York Farm Bureau Resolutions Committee, for consideration by the delegates to the New York Farm Bureau annual meeting which will take place Dec. 3-5 in Syracuse.