By Rick Zimmerman, Executive Director
This is the last time that I will write this column as your executive director. Beginning January first, I will be stepping down and John Mitchell will be picking up the reins. After 15 years at the helm, it is time to pass the torch. But before I do so, let me reflect on what we have accomplished.
First and foremost, your Board has completed and implemented three strategic plans over the last 15 years. This process and the subsequent devotion to implementing the plans is a strong signal that your board understands its role in leading the organization forward. You have been well served by a board that continuously uses the strategic plan as the guiding light for the many substantiative actions and programs we have undertaken.
Secondly, your board demonstrates leadership by employing proper structure and purpose. Implementing board term limits, expanding and utilizing committees, maintaining a strong financial foundation, and understanding the role as policy makers rather than program administrators is indicative of a strong board and organizational structure. Further, purposefully positioning the organization to serve the entire agribusiness community by including “agribusiness” in our name graphically demonstrates the forward-thinking orientation of the Board.
Third, NEAFA has stepped up to the plate. Delivering on our three objectives of Advocacy, Collaboration and Education, we have demonstrated that NEAFA is your ACE in the hole! Advocacy means lobby days in Albany and Montpelier along with annual visits to other New England capitals. Annually we have made it our business advocate for our industry and the key state supported programs providing essential support to the agriculture industry. Initiatives such and PRO-DAIRY, New York’s Farm Viability Institute, Vermont’s Farm Viability Program, NY FarmNet, agricultural nonpoint source pollution control funds for New York and Vermont dairies, and Vermont’s Dairy Innovation Center are examples of programs we continue to advocate for. Further, our working relationships with New England agriculture commissioners/ secretaries fortifies their efforts to keep dairy farms going and growing throughout the northeast.
Collaboration remains a central element in our organization’s DNA and resulted in remarkable success. For example, our collaborative relationship with Cornell’s Department of Animal Science motivated us to step up to the challenge of raising funds to seed a faculty position within ther Department. The challenge proved to motivate our members so effectively that we raised enough money, over 1 million dollars, to seed two faculty positions. I am personally grateful for our members’ generous support! Today Joe McFadden and Kristan Reed and are the Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance Partners Sesquicentennial Fellows and substantial contributors to the animal science knowledge base through basic research and modeling. The industry is blessed to have them aboard!
Our ongoing partnerships with the American Feed Industry Association and the National Grain and Feed Association have allowed us to leverage our presence at the federal government level. Collaborating with PRO-DAIRY has established a strong partnership with the herd Health and Nutrition Conference, one of our seminal education programs.
Speaking of education, the “E” in ACE, NEAFA has been all about educational opportunities throughout its existence, and we have built on them. In addition to HHNC, we have continued to partner with the Maine Dairy Industry Association and the University of Connecticut and expanded the New England Dairy Nutrition Conference to include Land Grant partners from Vermont, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Last year’s conference via zoom drew in participants from all across the New England states. Our Annual Meeting and Forum has been the platform for nationally known speakers addressing provocative topics.
Fourth, the Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance remains strong and forward focused going into the new year. We have been progressive in building an organization that is poised to serve the northeastern agricultural industry in numerous ways, as together we all strive to compete in the global marketplace. NEAFA is not the same organization it was 15 years ago, and your Board realized that your organization must stay focused on a rapidly changing environment.
It has been my pleasure to work with eight NEAFA presidents, as well as numerous volunteer directors, all dedicated to the organization’s mission: “to support and grow a sustainable agribusiness industry in the Northeast.” Together, we have accomplished much, but more lies ahead of us. Our region, the northeastern milk shed, is in direct competition with other milk sheds in the U.S. and throughout the world. We must stay focused on the fundamental challenges that lie in our way in order to remain competitive, and ultimately profitable. NEAFA’s leadership in bringing these challenges in focus to local, state, and federal governments and the greater dairy community is commendable and very much needed.
I tip my hat to John Mitchell who will be stepping into the executive director’s seat beginning January first, and I look forward to working with him as your professional advocate in the months going forward. I also want to recognize your extremely competent executive assistant, Sue Van Amburgh. Sue has been and will continue to be a tremendous asset to this organization. Thank you Sue, for all that you do.
You won’t be getting rid of me completely however. I will continue to lobby for you and work with you as together we continue to deliver on our mission to support and grow a sustainable agribusiness industry in the Northeast.
May you and your families have a blessed Christmas and holiday season, and a healthy, happy New Year.